The Phantom's Day Out

Day 4 at Ahmedabad

Chris Martin always seemed one of those cricketers who was born to "sweep the shop floor" (to use Matthew Hoggard's description of his own role in England's lineup). Instead he has found himself having to lead his country's test attack for most of his career, and the successes have been few and far between. Unlike Hoggard for example, he has mostly struggled overseas and tended to tire easily. And after a poor home series against Australia, many of us felt he had secured his release papers from international cricket.

But every dog has its day, and there's life in this old one yet. Martin's moment in the sun appeared to have come already, back in 2004 against the Saffers at Auckland, but nobody remembers that test anyway. This was the real deal. Perhaps he was buoyed by his undefeated 3 - India are yet to dismiss him in tests. Whatever it was, he ran in and kicked the match out of its slumber, and even got the SG ball to swing. Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Raina and Dhoni; those were the victims, and that's quite a killing spree. For sheer element of surprise and shock value, this effort was reminiscent of Jerome Taylor's demolition job at the Sabina last year. Except that NZ still have to finish the job tomorrow.

Apart from that, the batsmen did well to extend the innings beyond lunch. Then there was Williamson getting to his century, and being brilliantly restrained in celebration. NZC had better handle this kid properly; two of the last 3 centurions on debut for NZ, Mathew Sinclair and Lou Vincent, were allowed to fall by the wayside.

I'm apprehensive about tomorrow's play for two reasons. One, the position of being able to force the issue in a test match is an unfamiliar one for NZ, so a lot will depend on whether they can keep their heads. Two, cracks on the pitch are widening, so a chase of 160 or more will be tricky business against Zak and Shreesanth. Harbhajan's batting has become a thorn in the kiwis' flesh, and his contribution when he resumes with Laxman tomorrow could be crucial.

You get the feeling this is one of those opportunities for a test win which come up once in a blue moon. The heroics of Ryder, Williamson and Martin will ultimately be tied in with the result. Whatever happens tomorrow, it won't be forgotten soon.