The first scoring shot said virtually everything about the opening day ofthe first New Zealand test at Hamilton: a loosener from Dion Nash wideoutside West Indies opener Sherwin Campbell’s off stump casually flickedhigh over point for four
Chris Rosie16-Dec-1999The first scoring shot said virtually everything about the opening day ofthe first New Zealand test at Hamilton: a loosener from Dion Nash wideoutside West Indies opener Sherwin Campbell’s off stump casually flickedhigh over point for four.When Campbell departed just 15 minutes short of stumps, his score was 170,the West Indies had 282 and he was New Zealand’s only success of the day.Campbell and Adrian Griffith between them had set a new opening standagainst New Zealand of 276, Griffith had completed his maiden test centuryand was not out on 103 and things generally look bleak for the NewZealanders going into the second day.Campbell had much to thank his captain for. Brian Lara made only oneappearance on the field but it was long enough to win the toss and ensurehis batsmen first use of a pitch that offered little invitation to the pacemen. So it proved. New Zealand went into the match with Chris Cairns andDion Nash as its opening pair but what bounce was available was generallyslow, neither West Indian looking in any trouble. The result was theunusual sight of spin, in the form of Daniel Vettori’s orthodox left arm,in action in the 10th over.While neither batsman was in any difficulty, it did appear the gentle grasssurrounds of Hamilton’s WestpacTrust Park had created a gentle Sundayatmosphere instead of the tension of a test match. Only 23 runs came offthe 14 overs in the first hour. The scoring rate picked up in the secondhour but even then West Indies went to lunch at just 57.There were few shots in anger, the notable exception being a six Griffithhooked off Nash in the 23rd over. Nash and Griffith engaged in theirprivate duel, with Nash regularly running the ball across the West Indieslefthander and not appreciating Griffith’s late withdrawal of the bat fromdanger.The New Zealand captain, Stephen Fleming, rang the changes, replacingVettori with Nathan Astle’s medium pace after 20 overs, swapping Nash forCairns at the northern end and introducing Paul Wiseman’s off spin, allbefore lunch.Lunch appeared to have an invigorating affect. The West Indies pair cameout with a marked increase in urgency. Cairns in particular suffered.Anything short was punished by both batsmen as they raced each other totheir 50s, Campbell’s coming in the 36th over and Griffith’s in the 37th.Fleming tried a double change, Astle for Vettori and Wiseman for Cairns. Itmade little difference to the scoring rate. Campbell in particular wasspeeding along with quick singles interspersed with what was clearlybecoming a trademark shot. A very laid-back cut collected runs for himover, round or through point. By the first hour after lunch, the score hadraced to 144.But just when the pair looked to be about to take complete control, NewZealand won a reprieve, albeit temporary. Wiseman got some turn and bothbatsmen became more watchful. Campbell even offered some hope. Histrademark cut sent a ball off Wiseman into Spearman at slip, who made adespairing dive behind wicketkeeper Adam Parore, just failing to get underthe falling ricochet.However, Wiseman’s increasing turn encouraged Fleming to bring on Vettoriat the opposite end. The spin duo kept the West Indies openers quiet,extracting the occasional false shot but still failing to dislodge them.Containment was not enough. Craig McMillan was given a couple of overs ofhis eccentric brand of medium pace before tea. If it was an effort toencourage a false shot or two, it failed. Instead, Campbell went to his100, with a cut, of course, for four. Campbell’s third century in two games(he collected two against Auckland), came in 177 minutes off 224 balls andincluded four fours.After tea, McMillan continued while Nash replaced Wiseman. The pressure thespinners applied dissolved. Campbell hooked McMillan for six and thendroves replacement bowler Astle for four. The cut is not the only shot he has.With the new ball due in five overs, Fleming gave Wiseman and Vettorianother spell in tandem. Again the West Indies looked less certain.Campbell tried to go down the pitch to Wiseman, only to misjudge the flightand find the ball going into his pads. Griffith, who had been particularlywatchful, cut hard into Fleming close on the off for what would have been amiraculous catch if taken. Signs that the pace was worrying the batsmencame with a couple of close calls in their running, which had always beensharp. Direct hits could have been interesting.In the 85th over, the new ball was taken, Cairns and Nash doing thehonours. And again the shackles seemed to come off. Griffith used the paceover slips for four off Cairns, and then brought up his maiden test centurywith a stand-up-and-deliver straight drive back over the bowler. He hadbeen at the crease for 325 minutes, facing 261 balls and included 10 foursand one six.Cairns and Nash were both getting some lift with the new ball. Griffith inparticular offered some tired shots but it was Campbell who fell. Going fora hook off Nash, he caught a top edge, the ball going high behind stumpswith Parore doing the honours under the gathering crowd of fielders.Campbell’s 170 had taken 342 minutes and 260 balls and included 23 foursand two sixes and while the cut was the feature shot he branched out withsome gusto when the occasion demanded.Time available after his departure for nightwatchman Dinanath Ramnarine tolook uncomfortable until the last ball of the day, which he straight drovepast Nash for four. It could be an omen of things to come for the NewZealand bowlers.The pick of them was Wiseman. His 21 overs included 10 maidens and cost 47runs. More important of all the New Zealanders, he looked the most likelyto encourage an error. For the rest, other than the occasional expensiveover, they were never totally collared. But they did not look like takingwickets either. They have a challenging day ahead.