-
Chris Martin and the Black Caps look on - Source: Photosport -
Related
New Zealand's batsmen have again folded meekly against Pakistan - but the bowlers already realise how to redress the balance when the first cricket test concludes on Saturday.
The Black Caps ignored the opportunity to bat themselves into an impregnable position on Friday, cobbling together an unsatisfactory 147 for eight by stumps as momentum continued to swing on a windswept University Oval.
A first innings lead of 97 was looking more and more vital as a disrupted day rolled on and at the close New Zealand's advantage was 244 - well below expectations but potentially defendable if a Shane Bond-led pace trio can emulate their Pakistani counterparts.
While New Zealand's batsmen were often architects of their own demise, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul offered little leeway as the tourists regained the ascendancy.
New Zealand lost five for 36. Ross Taylor's run out for 59 was the only dismissal unconnected with tight bowling and dubious shot selection.
Asif fashioned figures of four for 41, Aamer rocked New Zealand with a double breakthrough inside two overs while Gul was a useful foil.
Fast bowler Chris Martin said he, Bond and Iain O'Brien had to follow their lead once Pakistan's run chase begins on a wicket now presenting variable bounce.
"I think we learnt quite a lot from watching them bowl on it," Martin said.
"They put us under real pressure by bowling real straight and making us make a lot of decisions and giving us very limited opportunities to score.
"I think if we were a thoughtful side, our bowling lineup in particular, we could take a lot from that."
Martin nominated a score of 250 as defendable on a wearing fifth day pitch.
"With variable bounce it's going to be a big ask for them, especially if we do everything in a disciplined manner and turn up prepared to win the game," he said.
He felt the impact of another New Zealand batting implosion may not be far reaching.
"I don't think there's going to be any lack of composure from the boys."
Hard challenge
However, Martin did acknowledge New Zealand had made the challenge hard for themselves by again losing wickets in clumps.
"I wouldn't say the mood in the dressing room is gloomy but we may have let an opportunity slip by not really batting them out of the game.
"It wasn't the direction we wanted the game to head in but I still think the opportunity is there, that's always the way you have to look at it."
Taylor was the only prolific first innings scorer to hint at a repeat performance. He backed up his 94 with a half century but Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum added ducks to their 60 and 78 respectively .
The ever reliable Daniel Vettori finally failed, following his 99 with a streaky eight that saw him dropped in the slips cordon the ball before he flicked Asif to Fawad Alam at midwicket.
Pakistan vice-captain Kamran Akmal was delighted with his bowler's efforts but the onus was not on the batsmen to finish the job.
"I would say the game is 50/50. The wicket is different from the first couple of days, now the bounce is not as even."
Akmal and younger brother Umar started the Pakistani resurgence on Thursday with a 176-run stand for the sixth wicket that included a century on debut for the 19-year-old.
The summer of cricket is upon us and once again, tvnz.co.nz is the place to go for all your cricketing needs.
As well as the usual reports and scorecards from matches both home and abroad, tvnz.co.nz will bring you full LIVE text commentary of Black Caps matches throughout the summer.
This week, the comprehensive coverage will be augmented by regular updates and expert analysis from sideline eye Max Bania at Dunedin's picturesque University Oval, as well as a daily wrap detailing the day's key moments, major players and what he had for lunch
So if you can't get to a TV this summer, make tvnz.co.nz/cricket your one-stop shop for cricketing action!
