Watling shining light in gloom
WHAT IS this red ball cricket?
After a summer of highs, highs and then a big low, all dictated by the 50-over game, New Zealand’s cricketers on Friday finally stretched their legs and brought their thinking round to the idea of a longer form of the game, on the first day of a warm-up match against Somerset.
The New Zealand XI were missing the big names of Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult – who are all still on Indian Premier League duties for another week – and were severely tested by a Somerset team in drizzly, miserable conditions at Taunton.
Only an unbeaten half-century by stand-in captain B J Watling saw the visitors through to 202-7 at stumps – called early because of bad light.
Watling has spent his summer toiling for the Northern Knights while his Black Caps teammates revelled in the spotlight of the World Cup. He actually had a modest season – four 50s in 15 innings, but his trademark patience and tenacity was on show in England.
He came to the crease when the New Zealand XI were 109-4 after Somerset grabbed the wickets of openers Tom Latham for six and Hamish Rutherford for a more respectable 37. Debutant Mitchell Santner posted 27 and Luke Ronchi, the next to go, eight.
Latham was in the World Cup squad, but didn’t play a game, and was gone in this match after noodling around for 28 balls, clearly lacking game time.
Santner, a 23-year-old team-mate of Watling’s at Northern Districts, was more impressive, with five boundaries in his 65-ball innings.
The Somerset bowling attack deserved credit as they got the ball to swing for long periods – a great sign for New Zealand swing kings Boult and Southee.
Neil Wagner, who is unbeaten on nine, said it was obvious the New Zealanders were a bit rusty.
‘‘You can see they’ve been playing a bit of cricket,’’ he said. ‘‘They bowled well and they bowled quite patient as well. They put the ball in good areas and asked good questions.’’
It was, though, perfect preparation for the opening test match starting May 21, particularly getting in time facing the Duke ball.