Zimbabwe's tour isn't being telecast in India, so I watched precious little of the Napier test, through an online feed. It's three in the morning here when NZ games start, which meant that I would miss large chunks of the test anyway. And it was wrapped up in no time, to boot. After the closely-fought, memorable encounter in Bulawayo we were let down this time as Zimbabwe didn't really turn up, being bowled out for next to nothing twice in a day.
No doubt the absence of a contest was disappointing, but from a NZ's supporter's point of view it was good to see the test side take a step forward and crush an inferior opponent. Of course, it is hardly ideal preparation for the South African series but considering the side had been struggling to deal with Bangladesh in recent times, this was still a great result.
Thoughts:
1. Zimbabwe won what was supposed to be a good toss on a green Napier pitch, but reportedly wasted the opportunity in the first session. To what extent was it bad bowling on their part? Or did the pitch simply not play as expected? Remember, I didn't watch much of this.
2. Brian Vitori, who enjoyed a great start to his international career last year, was down on pace and consistency and drew a lot of flak from observers. I hope he finds his mojo by the time the ODIs start, and not just for Zimbabwe's sake. They have two highly capable bowlers in Jarvis and Price, and a nippy left-armer would really bolster their attack and possibly help them remain competitive at this level.
3. As made clear in the previous post, I wasn't too happy with the decision to make BJ Watling the wicketkeeper. But the former opener signed in with a century at no.7 and a safe game behind the stumps, so I stand corrected for now, and hope he makes his spot a permanent one. One question though: why the hell isn't he in the one-day side?
4. On the Kane Williamson run-out: both McCullum and the wunderkind are proving to be shaky runners between the wickets, and their mix-up meant KW hardly figured in the match. I have a feeling NZ's 'flashier' players are in for a torrid time against Steyn and co, so both Kane and Dean Brownlie are shaping as important players for that series. They both need some time in the middle badly.
5. In a month where my cricket viewing has been dominated by the ineptness and carelessness of a star-studden Indian batting lineup, it's refreshing to note that Ross Taylor carried over the circumpspection in his batting from the end of the Aussie tour. Sure this wasn't the most convincing opposition to score a century against, but the change in attitude has been vital. Needs to get fit ASAP.
6. We've seen plenty of fire from Doug Bracewell, the bowler, over his short test career thus far, but his batting returns have been poor. I'll be watching to see if he can step up in that department anytime soon.
7. Great to see NZ building a team around a four-man pace attack. While we could always use an extra batsman, this is our best chance of actually winning tests against bigger teams, as proved in Hobart.
8. Chris Martin's 6-26 turned out to be his best figures in tests. No doubt he always does well against the minnows, but I viewed it as a payoff for the excellent work he's been putting in for the last couple of seasons, sometimes with very little support. We're getting used to the idea that (in all likelihood) he will not be around by the end of the year, so here's hoping the Phantom's last yard in international cricket is a memorable one.
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