The value of 1 run

By Rahul Patil

England 1^st innings 435 for 8 (Root 153*, Brook 186, Henry 4/100). New Zealand 1^st innings 209 all out (Southee 73, Broad 4/61, Anderson 3/37). New Zealand 2^nd innings f/o 483 all out (Latham 83, Williamson, Blundell 90 132 Leach 5/157). England 2^nd innings 256 all out (Root 95, Wagner 4/62, Southee 3/45). New Zealand win by 1 run.

Pressure the verb is defined as ‘an attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something’. In cricket we talk a lot about scoreboard pressure. Runs on the board are worth their weight in gold. By asking New Zealand to follow on Stokes took the gamble of having to bat last on a decent pitch. For the first time in the series the New Zealand batting stood up. After the start England got last evening only a bold punter would have put his money on a Blackcaps victory. Cricket though as it does so very often, treated us to a roller coaster like no other. In the end, New Zealand won by a single run and cricket was the true winner.

Quick wickets in the morning of Robinson, Duckett and Pope. Then Bracewell who ran himself out yesterday with a school boy error orchestrated the run out of Harry Brook thanks to a horrendous error in judgement by Joe Root. The game is such a leveler. 186 in the first innings. Run out without facing a ball in the second.

Somewhere deep down all of us knew that if England had to win the game Joe Root and Ben Stokes would have to play a stellar role with the bat. From 80 for 5 they displayed tremendous application to take England within 57 runs of victory. There were lots of oooh’s and aaah’s but Stokes battled on with a dodgy knee. Root at the other end produced a master class on how to bat in the 4^th innings on a day 5 wicket.

In the 34^th over of the innings Matt Henry went down with a lower back injury and had to leave the field. This was a real blow for New Zealand who only picked 3 frontline quicks, a part time medium pacer and a part time spinner for this game. Top level sport though is definitely mind over matter. Forgetting the physical pain Matt Henry came back and bowled his heart out after lunch and picked up another wicket to help New Zealand’s cause.

The caterers at the Basin Reserve probably didn’t expect to be cooking on day 5 as the Moroccan chicken from day 1 was once again repeated today. It was spicy and delicious though just like the second session that was to unfold in front of our eyes.

If I ever got into a fight and could choose one Blackcap to be in my corner I would choose Neil Wagner. A few days back I wrote that I won’t be surprised if Wagner reinvents himself as most top tier athletes do when faced with adversity. When his side needed him the most Wagner produced a fiery spell of fast bowling which won New Zealand the game.

First Stokes tried to take on a short one only to spoon it in the air to Latham at square leg. England 201 for 6. Next Joe Root who was on 95 and deserved his second century of the game fell for the same trap and ballooned another short one to midwicket. England 202 for 7. In a matter of minutes Wagner had turned the game on its head. For the first time in the series New Zealand believed and so did every single Blackcaps supporter.

Ben Foakes though kept the run chase alive. First by adding 13 with Broad and then 36 with Leach in which Leach’s contribution was nil. With the target down to 7 Foakes who had looked cool, calm and collected until now decided to hook one from Southee. Wagner took a tumbling catch at fine leg and once again the pendulum swung towards the Blackcaps.

The drama is electrifying when no 10 and no 11 get together with 7 needed to win on day 5 of a test match. You cannot script this. Move aside all the biggest Hollywood blockbusters as you will never be able to match the thrill of live sport. Every dot ball and single was cheered by the English supporters. Every half chance was cheered by the kiwis. Anderson threw the first punch by charging at Wagner and getting a boundary through midwicket. England needed 1 to draw and 2 to win. Surely this was a done deal.

And then the Basin Reserve erupted. Wagner persisted with his short bowling tactics and Anderson got the finest of tickles down the leg side. Blundell who’s been exceptional in this test match with bat and gloves took a low tumbling catch and the Blackcaps became only the fourth team in the history of test cricket to win a match after being asked to follow on.

The series ended in a draw leaving test cricket fans salivating for a third. Both captains said that it was an honor to be a part of such a historic test. Kane Williamson was adjudged man of the match for bringing New Zealand back into the game. The consistent Harry Brook was adjudged man of the series.

 

I witnessed the moment of the day though well after all the media commitments were completed. Players from both sides who had fought hard on the field for 5 days were having a beer together and playing a game of football. This is the one and only definition of the spirit of cricket in my opinion. All the other so called definitions can take a walk. Cricket is a simple game. Today it once again showed us the value of 1 run.

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