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Batter withdrew from India Test tour and IPL but is focussed on World Cup comeback

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2024Harry Brook says his performances this summer are dedicated to his late grandmother Pauline, who passed away in March.Pauline Brook was visible throughout her grandson’s career and became a cult hero within English cricket. She often collected awards on Harry’s behalf, of which there have already been many in the player’s short career. She was the figurehead of the Brook family and lived next to Burley-in-Wharfedale Cricket Club, where Harry learned the game.Pauline fell ill in January, while Brook was preparing for England’s Test tour of India in the UAE. The 25-year-old subsequently pulled out of the five-match series, before missing the Indian Premier League with Delhi Capitals after she passed away.Brook has since returned to action with Yorkshire and marked his first match for the county since July 2022 with an emotional 69-ball century against Leicestershire, looking to the sky upon reaching three figures. It was his first competitive appearance since England’s fifth T20I against West Indies in December. A second century – 126 not out – came on Saturday against Derbyshire at Headingley, as Yorkshire posted 450 for 5 declared in their first innings.Speaking publicly for the first time since Pauline’s death, Brook dedicated both his centuries to his grandmother and reflected on a tough time for the family. He was also grateful for the time he had with her at the start of the year before her condition deteriorated.”Both of those hundreds [for Yorkshire this season] and all of the runs I’ve scored so far this year are all dedicated to her,” Brook told the ECB Reporters Network.”When I came home from Abu Dhabi, it was a very tough time, and I’m glad I did come home. Obviously, it was a big decision to make. I hadn’t played hundreds of games for England, so to just turn down a big Test tour like that [India] was a big decision to make.”But she comes before all of that. She would have come out there a couple of years ago, so I had to come back and support her as much as I could. I managed to take her out for a coffee and whatnot in that first week I was back.”I was still training with a mindset of trying to get back out for the last couple of Tests, all being well. It all disintegrated fairly quickly, so that didn’t happen. I just tried to support her as best as I could and everyone around us.”Following the conclusion of Yorkshire’s match with Derbyshire, in which rain washed out the entirety of the scheduled third day’s play on Sunday, Brook will play his final County Championship match of this portion of the season, against Glamorgan next week. He will then join England for their T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.Brook was an ever-present in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup triumph and will be integral to their title defence. Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott announce their provisional squad on Tuesday (April 30) with Brook set to be a pivotal figure in a relatively young group. He will then return to the Test side this summer for series against West Indies and Sri Lanka from July.”I’m looking forward to it, if selected,” Brook said of the World Cup. “We join up at the end of next month. I’m looking forward to being back with the lads and hopefully producing the goods for England again.”

Coach wants England to “call on good experiences” in bid to reclaim the urn from Australia

Vithushan Ehantharajah21-Dec-2022Brendon McCullum admits next summer’s Ashes series is “a big carrot” for his new and improved England men’s Test side, as thoughts turn to next year’s challenges after a remarkable end to the 2022 campaign.On Tuesday in Karachi, England closed out a convincing 3-0 win over Pakistan to give McCullum a third series victory as head coach. Since taking over at the start of the summer, he and captain Ben Stokes have overseen nine victories in 10 matches.The scale of the red-ball resurgence over the last seven months is such that the scars of a horrendous run of one win in 17 before McCullum and Stokes took over seem to have disappeared. That stretch included a demoralising 4-0 defeat in Australia last winter which led to plenty of introspection in the domestic game – not least the publication of Sir Andrew Strauss’ High Performance Review.Now, however, there is a belief among the England team they are more than a match for all comers in all conditions. Thus, the prospect of beating Australia for the first time since 2015 is a tantalising one.McCullum has been reticent to look far ahead and has not been afraid to express his frustration at England’s Ashes obsession: “You guys do this all the time, eh?” he said when asked about facing Australia on the Karachi outfield. Nevertheless, with just two Tests against New Zealand in February and then a single home Test against Ireland before the five-match series starts at Edgbaston on June 16, he admits the challenge Australia will pose has entered the management’s thoughts.Related

• England's vibes of revival land their greatest glory yet

• Miller: Stokes, and the art of captaincy

• Stokes hails England's fun factor after 'releasing fear of failure'

• Woakes on sacrificing IPL chance for a crack at the Ashes

• Steve Smith 'intrigued' by Bazball

McCullum believes efforts to reclaim the urn next season will rely on the experiences banked in Pakistan, which England will need to call on against a fierce adversary. “From our point of view, we will have loose plans about that stuff,” he said, when asked about the Ashes. “It is a big carrot down the line.”At the same time, I want the guys to enjoy what we have been able to achieve here. Just like the summer the message is not look too far ahead. Let’s live in the here and now of what we have achieved. Let that sink it. It will take some time to sink in.”I think it is the same with the success this team has had. We have to allow that to sink in because there will be tough challenges in time. And if you have not banked those good experiences, what have you got to call on?”Since England began making headlines with their aggressive approach while talking up how they are looking to change Test cricket, there have been a few back-and-forths with their rivals Down Under. The ‘Bazball’ moniker for the style of play they have adopted has been a source of amusement in the Australian dressing room, with the team putting up a ‘Ronball’ sign in their dressing room during their recent Test match against West Indies [their head coach Andrew MacDonald is nicknamed ‘Ron’, after Ronald McDonald].On Tuesday, Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori credited his friend and former teammate McCullum for the turnaround he has instigated: “That’s Brendon’s nature,” he said. “There is positivity in everything he does.” He also anticipates an intriguing contest between a heavy-hitting batting line-up and a strong Australian bowling attack, who could provide Stokes’ charges with their toughest challenge yet.Vettori expects England to “give it a go” when he faces his friend McCullum in the Ashes•BCCI

“They are going to give it a go, it looks like,” Vettori said. “I think that is what everyone is excited about: that aggressive nature versus an exceptional bowling attack.”Many sceptics are waiting for England’s Test bubble to burst, and predictions of coming unstuck in Pakistan were categorically trumped. However, an Australia bowling line-up with all bases covered could do just that, especially given the manner in which a strong South African pace attack inflicted England’s only defeat under McCullum and Stokes at Lord’s in July.But Mark Wood, the fast bowler who was crucial to securing victory in the second Test in Multan, believes England will relish the opportunity to continue to prove their doubters wrong.”It’s more the fact people keep doubting us,” Wood said, when asked about the anticipation for England trying out their new brand of cricket against Australia. “You can’t go to Pakistan and do that. You’ll never be able to do that against India. Or against New Zealand.”So it’s about [trying to] keep breaking records, keep trying to prove people wrong, play this way and show that, hopefully, other teams will take notice and think they have to be on their ‘A’ game to take on this England team.”

Spinning allrounder recalled to balance side in wake of England’s struggles at Trent Bridge

George Dobell10-Aug-2021Moeen Ali has been recalled to the England squad and looks set to play in the second LV= Insurance Test at Lord’s.Moeen, the off-spinning all-rounder, is expected to join up with the squad at training today (Tuesday) as England attempt to balance a side missing key all-rounder Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes.England were unable to find a place for a frontline spinner in the team that drew the first Test.While Moeen has only played one first-class game in the last 23 months, he has been in fine form in the white-ball game. He hit a 23-ball half-century for Birmingham Phoenix on Monday night and has captained the side to the top of the table.He last played a Test in February, also against India in the second Test in Chennai, where he claimed eight wickets in the match, but subsequently returned home as part of England’s rest and rotation policy.The call-up means that Moeen is set to play his first Test on home soil since the 2019 Ashes, when he featured in England’s defeat in the series opener at Edgbaston, then took an indefinite break from the format, for the remainder of the series as well as the subsequent tours of New Zealand and South Africa.To date in Test cricket he has claimed 189 wickets at 36.24 in 61 matches, at a sub-60 strike rate that is better than each of the more celebrated spinners above him in England’s wicket-takers’ list – Derek Underwood, Graeme Swann and Jim Laker.Meanwhile his record on home soil against India is particularly impressive. He has taken 31 wickets at 22.22 across seven previous matches in 2014 and 2018, including a Player-of-the-Match-winning nine-wicket haul at the Ageas Bowl following his mid-series recall in 2018.Moeen has also struck five Test centuries in his career to date, and though the most recent of those came in December 2016, it was also made against India – the second of his two on that winter’s tour. His most recent Test innings was a hard-hitting knock of 43 from 18 balls, made from No.9 in the closing moments of England’s defeat in Chennai in February.Asked about the prospect of his recall on Monday, in the wake of Birmingham Phoenix’s 93-run win at Edgbaston, Moeen told the BBC: “Of course if you get the call-up, then playing for England is the highest thing you can get. If I get the call then I’ll be available.”It’s a win-win for me, things are going really well for me here and the team.”

On the mend after an ankle surgery, the West Indies quick wants to lead the attack in England

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2020Even as Cricket West Indies continues to figure out whether the three-Test series in England – in a bio-secure environment – can take place or not, few people are more eager for a bit of on-field action than Shannon Gabriel. The 32-year-old quick underwent a surgery on his right ankle in November last year, and has just completed a six-month rehabilitation programme, and is now hoping to get on that flight to England.”It’s a good feeling always to represent West Indies. It’s good to be back out on the park,” he told . “The plan is right now to try to make it to the tour to England – hopefully that comes off. I’m just trying my best to stay positive and I hope everything goes well.”It has been a long journey since November when I did the surgery on my ankle. Everything is going well, it has been a long process in terms of getting back to running and bowling and stuff like that.”Gabriel’s last international appearance was in September 2019, against India, in a two-Test series in which he picked up just four wickets at an average of 56.90. Then his short county stint with Gloucestershire was unimpressive too, as he picked up two wickets in three innings. This was around the time the right ankle started troubling him.Now, having eased himself back in slowly, Gabriel hopes to be fully ready by July, when the tour is slated to happen. As things stand, the West Indies players are scheduled to leave the Caribbean in the first week of June for a preparatory camp.”I am trying my best to be as fit as possible so I’m really working hard in terms of my fitness and managing my weight, trying not to get too heavy to put too much strain on my ankle,” Gabriel said of his fitness sessions. “So I know once I put in the hard work everything will be ok in the end. I just want to stay positive.”There has been no high-intensity work, I’m just taking my body back into it easy, taking it one day at a time and not trying to push too hard but it’s still long while before the first Test in England and by that time I’m sure I’ll be fit and ready.”The process of becoming match ready has also involved reworking his action and run-up to ease pressure on his ankles. “My run-up has probably just tweaked a bit, in terms of my running technique and stuff like that, but I don’t think there are many changes,” he explained. “Obviously that ankle was getting most of the pressure and obviously I don’t want that type of injury to happen again, so I’m trying my best to stay fit so I can stay on the park [longer].”With the ICC having introduced guidelines with regards to shining the ball and several other physical-distancing measures, Gabriel also expects things to be “mentally taxing” when they return to cricket in the post-Covid-19 era.”It’s going to take a lot. It’s going to be mentally taxing on the brain but you have to stay positive. Keep your mind fresh,” he said. “I know they [England] are going to be coming at us all guns [blazing] at us, but I know the guys”Plus plenty of the guys haven’t been playing any cricket, so it is going to take us a while to get back there. On the positive side, you’re still getting the opportunity to play cricket and represent your country so that in itself should be enough motivation.”

Jess Jonassen is also back in the mix after missing the series against Pakistan in Malaysia late last year but Nicole Bolton remains unavailable

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2019Left-arm seamer Lauren Cheatle is in line for her first international appearance in nearly two years after being recalled to Australia’s one-day squad for the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand later this month.Cheatle took 14 wickets in the WBBL for Sydney Sixers and seven wickets in five matches in the recently completed Women’s National Cricket League. Jess Jonassen is also back in the mix after missing the series against Pakistan in Malaysia late last year.Nicole Bolton remains unavailable as she continues her break from the game which started during the WBBL, while fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck is recovering from a knee injury.Brisbane Heat’s Delissa Kimmince, who was originally dropped from the squad, has been recalled to replace* the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Sophie Molineux, who was ruled out of the series after suffering a shoulder injury while training for Victoria. Kimmince scored 44 and claimed 2 for 52 with the ball during Queensland’s defeat to New South Wales in the WNCL final.”Nicole is unavailable continuing her leave taken during the Big Bash, while the decision was made not to rush Tayla back from a knee injury that ruled her out of the back-end of the Big Bash and last round of domestic cricket,” national selector Shawn Flegler said.”Lauren Cheatle really impressed on the Australia A tour to India in October, and it’s pleasing to see her back playing regular cricket after a string of injuries and we’re confident that her ability to swing the ball will be a challenge for New Zealand.””Sophie suffered a right shoulder subluxation whilst diving during a fielding drill at training earlier in the week,” said Kate Mahony, the Australian team’s physiotherapist. “A scan has revealed significant soft-tissue injury and as a result, she is unavailable for the upcoming series against New Zealand. She will be reviewed over the coming days to determine rehabilitation and return to play time-frame.”Australia captain Meg Lanning was aware of the threat New Zealand will pose in the three matches in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. “There’s a lot on the line throughout this series. We’ve been watching New Zealand play quite well against India in the last few weeks as well. A good challenge for our group and really important we finish off the summer well.””We know they’ve got a very strong team, probably led by Satterthwaite, Bates and Devine. So we’re not surprised they’ve been playing well. Especially against a strong T20 unit in India. We expect them to come over here and play well and we’re looking forward to the challenge of that.”Elyse Villani is part of the squad as she continues to make good progress in her recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in the WBBL.”All progressing as planned, Elyse will tick off the final aspects of her rehabilitation over the next week and we expect that she will be fully fit for the start of the NZ series,” Australia’s physio Kate Mahony said.The selectors also named the squad for Governor-General’s match against New Zealand which will take place on February 28 at Drummoyne Oval. Heather Graham, who was named Domestic Player of the Year at the Australian Cricket Awards, has been included in a side to be captained by Alex Blackwell.Squad Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince*, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia WarehamGovernor-General squad Alex Blackwell (capt), Erin Burns, Josie Dooley, Nicole Faltum, Heather Graham, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Rachel Rae-Martin (Australian Defence Force), Annabel Sutherland, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa*9:20am GMT – The squad and article were updated to include news of Sophie Molineux’s injury

Matt Rawnsley, the former left-arm spinner, is also understood to be on a three-man shortlist to replace Tom Scott at New Road while club are also looking for a new director of cricket

George Dobell17-Dec-2017Two former Worcestershire players have made it on to the short-list to be the club’s new chief executive.ESPNcricinfo understands that Vikram Solanki, a former captain, and Matt Rawnsley, a former left-arm spinner, are on the three-man shortlist.There was some thought that Tom Scott, the current CEO, might stay on. While he had tendered his resignation some time ago, there was some debate at the club over whether he might be persuaded to stay on once Steve Rhodes’ departure was agreed – the pair are not close – and once the constitution of the club had been changed to ensure the primacy of the CEO in the management structure. At present the club’s CEO and director of cricket are on the same level, though the changes will be put before the club’s members at the AGM in the new year.Eventually, however, it was decided that the recruitment process had reached a point of no return and that Scott’s departure would allow the club a fresh start after one of the more tumultuous episodes in their recent history. He leaves at the end of the week.While Rawnsley had nowhere near the cricketing career of Solanki, he has substantially more business experience. He is currently managing director at Barnes Group (a manufacturer of industrial and aerospace components) and has previous experience as sales manager for Caterpillar in North Africa, Middle East and CIS while he is also president of the UK Spring Manufacturers’ Association.Solanki, who made two ODI centuries for England, is currently an assistant coach at Surrey and served as chairman of the PCA.Meanwhile the search for a new director of cricket continues. While the club have reached out to Graeme Hick, currently the Australia team batting coach, he is understood not to have reacted with much enthusiasm (he declined to comment when asked about the role by ESPNcricinfo), with Kark Krikken, Ben Smith and Nic Pothas understood to other potential options. It may well be the club decides to appoint a head coach rather than a director of cricket.The role became vacant after Rhodes was sacked following an investigation into his failure to report the arrest of a young player in a timely manner. While Rhodes is understood to have found out about the arrest of Alex Hepburn on suspicion of rape in early April, he did not inform the club’s management until the player was charged in November. In the intervening period, Hepburn had played for the first team and agreed a new contract at the club.Rhodes’ departure, after 33 years at the club, appears to have polarised views. While some are horrified at his actions, others point out they were consistent with a man who was committed to protecting and nurturing young cricketers and who achieved promotion in the county championship last season with a team containing, much of the time, 10 home-grown players. It might also be noted that he had nothing to gain personally from trying to protect Hepburn.Either way, the successors of Scott and Rhodes inherit a club in a substantially better state on and off the pitch than has been the case for several years. Playing in Division One of the Championship in 2018 with a team containing some of the brightest talents in English cricket, they are also on a much more stable financial footing.

Cameron White’s second century of the tournament delivered victory and a bonus point to Victoria in their Matador Cup match against Tasmania at North Sydney Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Oct-2016
ScorecardPeter Siddle picked up 1 for 19 in his first match since February•Getty Images

Cameron White’s second century of the tournament delivered victory and a bonus point to Victoria in their Matador Cup match against Tasmania at North Sydney Oval. White finished unbeaten on 117 as the Bushrangers chased down the target of 211 with eight wickets in hand, inside 35 overs, to continue their strong one-day form.Earlier, Peter Siddle had made an encouraging return from long-term injury in his first competitive match since February, collecting 1 for 19 from eight overs as the Tigers were restricted to 7 for 210. Siddle bowled opener Tim Paine in the third over of the match as Paine offered no shot to a ball that moved back in, and Glenn Maxwell picked up two early wickets to have Tasmania 3 for 17.Alex Doolan rebuilt the innings with an unbeaten 87 from 82 deliveries, with assistance from allrounder Simon Milenko (44), and a late 34 not out from Xavier Doherty. However, the target was always going to be difficult for the Tasmania bowlers to defend, and a 122-run opening stand between White and Marcus Harris made it even more so.Harris fell for 64 and Maxwell for 22, but they were the only two wickets to fall in the Victorian innings as White directed the chase perfectly. He struck five sixes and 12 fours and jumped ahead of Moises Henriques to lead the overall tournament run tally.

Sandeep Patil, India’s chairman of selectors, has expressed concerns over the team’s performances against South Africa while continuing to back the captain and team management

Sidharth Monga19-Oct-20153:12

‘A selector’s job is to look beyond scorecards’ – Patil

Sandeep Patil, India’s chairman of selectors, has expressed concerns over the Indian team’s performances, and said the panel has discussed “a few issues” with the team management. The way Ajinkya Rahane is being used – captain one day, carrying drinks the other; batting at No. 3 one day, 6 the other – was definitely one of the issues, but Patil said they discussed other things too. But he said he retained faith in the ODI captain MS Dhoni, the team director Ravi Shastri, and the support staff. India have lost both the Twenty20 internationals to South Africa, and two out of the first three ODIs.”It is not [about being] happy or not happy,” Patil said about India’s performance in the series against South Africa so far. “We are concerned. The two selectors with the Indian team had a word with the team management and the captain. Today also we had a detailed discussion with the captain.”It is not about worrying. Every time they win we feel good. Every time the Indian team lose we feel bad. Nobody is happy about losing the game we should have won. Besides that, we still back the team we have chosen, we still back the ideas, we still back the team management, the support staff. We want them to do well. The areas we felt that needed looking into have been discussed, and I hope that the team management and the captain will give a good thought to it.”Patil was asked whose fault it was that the India captain feels the No 5, 6 and 7 slots are unsettled. Has he not got the teams he wanted or have the selectors not shown enough foresight?”I have said this earlier too, and I’d like to clarify once again, that our jurisdiction is to give the captain the team which not only the captain wants but the team which the selectors feel will do well, looking at the form of that particular player, looking at the slot for which he has been chosen, looking at the opposition,” Patil said. “I think we are still on the same page. Whether it is the captain, whether it is the director, whether it is the team management, the support staff, whether it is the BCCI.”All selectors feel we have picked the best combination. The final selection of the XI is always left to the team management. That’s why earlier when I was asked if we have discussed this issue, yes we discussed this issue, we worried about a few things. I hope things will work better hereafter.”In recent Indian cricket, for the selectors to even discuss these issues and then acknowledge that issues exist is almost unheard of. A necessitating factor could be the way Rahane is being used. The captain has said he is an excellent ODI batsman against the new ball or against the old ball on quick pitches – which basically leaves him either a slot in the already packed top order or none at all. Yet he was played at No. 3 twice, with Virat Kohli having to move down to 4. In those two ODIs he scored 60 off 82 in a chase of 304 and 51 off 63 in India’s first-innings total of 247 for 9. In the third ODI Rahane was moved down, but perhaps because of the rapidly rising asking rate he was pushed all the way down to No. 6.Patil insisted Rahane was not the only matter of concern. “We have discussed not only Ajinkya but other players also with the captain and the team management,” Patil said. “Me and my co-selectors have had a word with the director [Shastri] also. But this is always left to the team management and the captain. We have limitations. We have no complaints but we have limitations. We discuss and we agree to a conclusion, and finally decide the combination of 15 players, but it is always left to them to pick the final XI and the batting and bowling order.”When asked if he was satisfied with the way Rahane was being handled, Patil remained non-committal. “It is not whether I am satisfied or if we are satisfied,” Patil said. “As I said we have full confidence in our captain and team management and the director. We have discussed these issues. Not only regarding Ajinkya Rahane. There were a few more issues. We have discussed them with the team management and the captain. I am sure they will give good thought to it.”

James Tomlinson’s four wickets helped Hampshire skittle Leicestershire and make them follow-on at the Ageas Bowl

11-Apr-2013
ScorecardJames Tomlinson caused havoc with the ball•Getty Images

James Tomlinson took four quick wickets as Leicestershire were forced to follow-on on day two against Hampshire.Left-arm pace bowler Tomlinson exploited the swinging bowling conditions with great skill as Leicestershire were bowled out for 143 in response to Hampshire’s first innings total of 454 for 7 declared. They will therefore begin day three 311 runs behind their hosts.Leicestershire openers Michael Thornely and Niall O’Brien had to bat out the last two overs of the day without scoring when following on but the damage had already been done. Tomlinson made the ball move both ways to finish with 4 for 23 while another left-armer, Chris Wood took 3 for 30 as Leicestershire collapsed from 31 without loss.Earlier Hampshire had resumed on 286 for 4 and had little difficulty in adding a further 168 in 39 overs for the loss of Sean Ervine, James Vince and Wood. Ervine departed at 308, bowled by Matthew Hoggard, but Vince was in imperious form, reaching his century with his 17th boundary off Shiv Thakor as Hampshire built a formidable total.Vince and newcomer Adam Wheater added 104 for the sixth wicket in 29 overs before Vince lofted debut-making pace bowler Ollie Freckingham into the deep where Thakor held the catch. Vince faced 236 balls for his 148 and struck 21 boundaries, but even then the punishment was not over.Wheater, signed in the close season from Essex, blasted a rapid unbeaten 56 and Wood took advantage of a demoralised attack to make a swift 28 before being bowled by Jigar Naik to prompt the declaration.Thornely and O’Brien gave no hint of the tribulations to come with an opening stand of 31 but when Wood had O’Brien caught at first slip by Ervine, the batting was processional.Tomlinson’s first victim was Thornely, followed in rapid succession by Ned Eckersley and Josh Cobb to make inexperienced Leicestershire 64 for 4, a position from which they never recovered. Only captain Ramnaresh Sarwan hung around long enough to make an impression, hitting five fours in his top score of 25 before he was bowled by Ervine.At 118 for 9 Leicestershire looked doomed but then last pair Hoggard and Alex Wyatt attempted to bring some respectability to the score with an aggressive stand of 25 before Tomlinson returned to claim his fourth wicket when Hoggard drove to third slip.Hampshire fielders surrounded the Leicestershire openers when the follow-on was enforced but they survived to the close.

A Chris Martin triple-strike just after tea justified Ross Taylor’s decision to bowl first on a placid Dunedin surface, as New Zealand first toppled South Africa’s top order giants, then made headway into the tail, to leave the visitors on 191 for 7 at st

The Report by Andrew Fernando07-Mar-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsHashim Amla scored 62 before his dismissal in the final session confirmed New Zealand’s dominant position•Associated Press

A Chris Martin triple-strike just after tea justified Ross Taylor’s decision to bowl first on a placid Dunedin surface, as New Zealand first toppled South Africa’s top order giants, then made headway into the tail, to leave the visitors on 191 for 7 at stumps on the first day. Heavy clouds failed to deliver the swing Taylor had banked on, but Martin’s stunning spell against his favourite opponent among the top-eight nations, turned the innings, and drew first blood in the series.The drama of Martin’s surge was heightened by its abruptness. Following a sleepy first session that offered so little for the pacemen that South Africa seemed destined for a mammoth total, Martin snaffled Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers in four balls to tear the guts out of the opposition top order.The rush of intensity was immediately apparent in Martin’s first few balls after tea. Twice he beat Smith’s outside edge, before hitting the batsman on the midriff with a straighter one. Having finished the previous session somewhat deflated, New Zealand suddenly sensed change. When Smith scooped the next one to short cover, they were positively buzzing.The first ball of Martin’s next over was sharp, short and angled. Too good for Kallis who could only manage an edge, which Taylor flew to his left to intercept. AB de Villiers was trapped by an indipper first ball. His review interrupted New Zealand’s celebrations momentarily, before replays confirmed the shout was as plumb as they come. From a comfortable 86 for 1, South Africa had slipped to 90 for 4.The recovery from South Africa, though somewhat short-lived, was swift and pleasing to the eye. Hashim Amla unfurled the offside strokes that bore him fruit in the ODI series, as he nullified a reinvigorated New Zealand pace attack that were once again searching for scalps. Purring cover drives and crisp square cuts found the ropes, and in 80 balls, he and Jacques Rudolph had scored 66.But having crossed 50, Amla fell to his nemesis from earlier in the innings. His tussle with Daniel Vettori had been the most engrossing battle of the earlier session, when the spinner’s turn beat his outside edge in his attempts to defend, and Vettori’s flight outdid enterprising scurries down the pitch. That time, the release had come for Amla when he finally connected to launch Vettori into the stands. But in his first over after tea, Vettori landed the knockout punch when he got one to kick, taking Amla’s edge.Mark Boucher was then the victim of the run-out South Africa looked like offering thoughout the day. Smith and Amla had survived one chance each, when fielders failed to hit the stumps. But this time, no direct hit was necessary. Boucher bounded from the non-striker’s end when Rudolph worked Vettori to point, and Bracewell swooped and found Kruger van Wyk’s gloves with his throw, to leave the visitors at 161 for 6. Dale Steyn succumbed soon after, with Taylor snaffling a rebound from Martin Guptill in the slips to leave his side much the happier of the two at stumps.The day had begun so promisingly for South Africa after almost four hours were lost to rain, when Graeme Smith progressed untroubled to a 31st Test half-century. New Zealand’s decision to insert the opposition on a slow, batsmen’s track seemed like folly when hopeful, full lengths from Martin, Trent Boult and Tim Southee were punched through the line by Smith in particular.Misjudgment on line, rather than significant movement removed Alviro Petersen for 11, but with Amla and Smith progressing smoothly, and the cloud cover expected to clear for the evening session, a large total beckoned. Smith was punishing on the leg side, when New Zealand’s pacemen abandoned their hopes for swing and muscled it in short, and his flick off middle stump for four just prior to tea epitomised his command of conditions. But things were about to change, and quickly.Edited by Nikita Bastian