Perseverance by the New Zealand bowling attack paid dividends at tea on the opening day of the third test with Pakistan contained at 186 for three. It could have been a lot worse.
An 87-run second wicket stand between Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali threatened to unleash on the visitors but quick wickets to Mark Craig and Daniel Vettori stymied the flow.
The pair justified the inclusion of three spinners in the playing XI. In addition, a decision review from Vettori on Hafeez at 175 for three appeared to show the ball deviating off the bat, but the lack of Hotspot and Snicko technology meant television umpire Ranmore Martinesz had no option but to give the batsman - and the umpire - the benefit of the doubt.
Before the toss the New Zealand bowlers cast furtive glances at captain Brendon McCullum as he prepared to call.
They had every right to be anxious. They were practising their bowling on an adjacent pitch and the sheen of benign batting clay would've been blinding in the sun.