There may be a strong Kiwi influence underpinning England’s convention-defying approach to Test cricket these days but on the eve of this series opener in delightful Mount Maunganui, Ollie Robinson predicted a “culture clash” would ensue.
Two days into the contest – one given an extra layer of jeopardy by the pink ball and floodlit evenings – it was certainly living up to the seamer’s billing. Two teams are duking it out in wildly contrasting styles, with the lucky punters who are lining Bay Oval’s enticing grass banks this week already looking like the ultimate winners.
Tim Southee had his reasons when saying the team he inherited from Kane Williamson would stick to the tried and trusted. New Zealand have not lost at home in the past five years. The mace will soon change hands – and Ross Taylor, BJ Watling and Trent Boult (possibly) have moved on – but world champion status is still theirs.
The title was built on characterful performances like the one witnessed on the second day, as Tom Blundell’s career-best 138 dragged New Zealand to within 19 runs of England’s breakneck first innings of 325 for nine declared. The wicketkeeper’s 181-ball vigil was built on diligent defence, a spunky late flourish, and kept his team alive in the moment.
But when roles were reversed from the previous evening, during which New Zealand had lost three for 37, England were tasked with negotiating just over an hour before stumps and the difference in approach was again clear. The tourists raided 79 for two from 16 overs for a lead of 98, while Stuart Broad finally got his chance to morph into the “Nighthawk”.
Brendon McCullum devised the role first executed by Rehan Ahmed in Pakistan as a way of disorienting opponents. Broad may have walked off on six from 13 balls but in that regard it worked: a top-edged pull was sent high into the night sky, only for Scott Kuggeleijn, the bowler, and Blundell, with the gloves, to leave the catch to each other.
It was an amusing final act of a day that had the crowd entertained throughout – another of McCullum’s stated aims. They also witnessed Robinson’s stock overseas continue its rise with four wickets – while Jimmy Anderson and Broad drew level with Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath’s 1,001 wickets as a Test pairing.
Three years ago on this ground England spent 201 overs in the dirt for a punishing innings defeat, bereft of ideas and almost waiting to be put out of their misery. Here they were as enterprising as the swing-averse pink Kookaburra would allow, with energy levels high and Ben Stokes conducting his players like Simon Rattle.
That milestone for his senior bowlers was on a good few lips at the start. Combined wickets is a slightly confected statistic it must be said; after all Anderson shared 524 with Alastair Cook back in the day, a split of 523 to one. Nevertheless, it still speaks to the skill, fitness and hunger of Broad and Anderson – not to mention a good few other qualities – that 133 Tests as a pair has seen four figures breached.
Overtaking McGrath and Warne’s tally would have to wait, however, and even turning 999 into 1,000 involved a false start. Broad’s eventful outing began by overstepping when he had Neil Wagner caught in the deep on 11 first thing, enduring a couple of meaty pulled sixes thereafter before a canny slower ball fooled the nightwatchman.
New Zealand were soon further in the mire too, 82 for four becoming 83 for five in a matter of minutes when Daryl Mitchell went to leave Robinson and was struck in front for a 10-ball duck. It is becoming a feature of Robinson’s threat, this the seventh time since his debut in 2021 he has removed a batter shouldering arms.
Robinson’s accuracy, a high release point and the ability to nip the ball around are all factors here. Mitchell looked mildly embarrassed as Devon Conway talked him out of a review but comfort perhaps comes from knowing that Cheteshwar Pujara, Marnus Labuschagne and Babar Azam have all suffered similar miscalculations against Robinson.
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The understudy to Watling for much of New Zealand’s rise to the top, Blundell strode out in understated fashion, shirt sleeves buttoned down and once again happy to operate in the slipstream of a more feted partner. Conway, dropped on nine the night before, was looking in prime nick as New Zealand reached tea on 138 for no further loss.
It took a none-too-subtle bumper plan delivered by Stokes himself to separate the pair after the resumption, Conway’s eyes rolling back in their sockets after clothing to short square-leg on 77. And when Michael Bracewell plopped Jack Leach to mid-on, New Zealand were 182 for seven and facing the prospect of a three-figure deficit.
Blundell’s ice-cool head meant this was not the case, however, as through an hour of resistance from Kuggeleijn at No 8, and some smart marshalling of tail-gunner Blair Tickner in a precious last-wicket stand of 59, the wicketkeeper from Wellington brought up what was a sparkling fourth Test century.
Robinson prised out two tailenders, including a beauty to castle Kuggeleijn, before Anderson doused Blundell’s late dash caught and bowled to finish with typically immaculate figures of three for 36 from 16.5 overs. New Zealand, all out for 306 from 82.5 overs, had just about kept pace with England by way of runs if not run rate.
Anderson was then content to sit in the pavilion and fill in the crossword, only occasionally looking up as Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley sent the pink ball shooting across the baize in a couple of breezy twenties. Both openers fell before the close and, two down, the answer was apparently “Nighthawk”.
