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The second test match at Lord's provides a great opportunity for New Zealand to achieve their first win at headquarters, but the lessons of Edgbaston must be firmly grasped. That match was virtually won until England's first innings escape from 46 for seven and then the pathetic collapse by New Zealand's second innings batsmen, Then the unchecked avalanche by Tudor revealed the Kiwis naivete in test cricket. Can you check an avalanche? In cricketing terms you can. Tudor was fed a deal of long hops and half volleys that any self-respecting test attack must have deplored. The England approach was admirable, for they sensed that this first test had to be won by positive means and they certainly applied an attacking style. But they were allowed to get away with it. Once the England batsmen applied pressure there was no alternative plan by New Zealand, no attempt to shut down the run flow, slow the game down, check the avalanche. Test cricket is about testing the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, preferably by playing to your strengths and their weaknesses. It is time for New Zealand to stop theorising and adopt this specialist approach. The first requirement is to apply pressure. This is accomplished by using experienced players in their best positions, so they know their roles. New Zealand can no longer plead inexperience, although they still disclose their naivete. There are a number of players who have the ability and the background to win test matches consistently, but they must be deployed to advantage. For all their qualities as attacking batsmen I cannot see Astle or McMillan suddenly and dramatically moving their feet and scoring heavily. Harris must replace one of them, probably McMillan after Astle's fine century at Kent. The one-day specialist Harris has never had his role clearly defined in test cricket like he has in one-day internationals. Twose is clearly uncomfortable opening the batting but his nous is needed in the Kiwi order. He, Fleming and Harris provide the necessary left-handed counter to the potential threat of Tufnell. This fellow has his ginger up and will be a handful on his home ground. Bell has been brought over to open the batting. He must be used in his specialty, although his returns have been moderate. Twose at three allows Fleming to resume his rightful place at four, not exposed too early to the new ball. Astle can be a useful support bowler and has shown some capacity as a batsman to graft, a side of his character not previously evident. This means that Harris,Cairns, Parore and Nash supply a powerful middle order while Vettori has batting ability to support his undeniable skills as a left-hand slow bowler. Allott brings up the rear but has the longest duck in test history to indicate his determination to play for keeps. This makes the strongest possible batting order, although admittedly lacking the often-successful McMillan. It is something of a tossup between McMillan and Astle but I am inclined to plump for the older man on the grounds that he seems to have made more effort to overcome his technical deficiencies. He must know his contribution to this match is critical or he will be obliged to swap places with his Canterbury colleague. Some may say the bowling is weakened without O'Connor to support the other fastish bowlers. While he is capable at his best we have yet to see that on this tour. I would always open the bowling with Cairns, for he always prefers the new ball and proved it against Kent. Nash should bowl first change along with Vettori, and there is ample backup in Harris, McMillan and Twose. The danger of another England batting avalanche is potentially checked by the presence of Harris. His slowish teasers may be very handy at Lord's where his fingered legspin can be helped if he bowls from the Nursery end with the slope to help him. Such a selection makes the best use of the most competitive players in the New Zealand party. Specialisation is at last achieved, with the playing form superior to that offered by the castoffs, McMillan and O'Connor. They will get their chance if New Zealand fails to show its true character, for the series can still be squared even from two matches down. But that is not the way to approach this test match. It is to seize the initiative in a way that was missing at Edgbaston. It is a chance for players who have the ability to put themselves in the history books. It is a time to test England's known fragility. | ||||||
