Cricket: NZ perserverance pays dividends at tea

Asad Shafiq of Pakistan bats. Photo / Getty Images

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.

Down went the coin, McCullum lost, and up went Pakistan's chances of dominating this test.

Openers Shan Masood and the returning Mohammad Hafeez provided evidence in the opening session. The time they had to play deliveries brought to mind the 'bullet time' scene in The Matrix. Still, a solitary batting glitch can be costly, as Masood discovered when he failed to cover a Craig delivery from around the wicket on 12 with the score 44 for one.

Craig also lured Azhar Ali into a false stroke wide of off stump and Ross Taylor picked up the catch, taking him to 99 for his career.

At 0.9 per innings he has the second best ratio behind Bob Simpson (0.94) for fielders with more than 70.

Craig, with figures of two for 44 from nine overs was the most aggressive of the bowlers.

Vettori, in his record 112th test and first bowl in the format for 28 months, got an arm ball to confuse Younis Khan on five. Younis looked so bemused he even opted to waste a review.

The Pakistanis showed Vettori respect for the most part although Hafeez demonstrated some healthy cheek when he lofted a pull shot for six over mid-wicket. It was a warning that questioning Vettori's seniority is fair game.

Generally the pace bowlers must have felt like they were bowling into a stack of cushions, albeit firm ones, given the lack of carry. Bending their backs translated to expending more energy which would likely account for tired bodies at stumps. However, a steady breeze in the stadium will have helped wick away sweat.

The New Zealanders' enthusiasm was not deterred by what shapes as a relentless slog.
The inclination to drop the shoulders, chins and spirits would have been tempting but chatter was sustained in the field, helped by McCullum's attacking fields. What's he got to lose? New Zealand are 1-0 down in the series and must do something to spark momentum. Woe betide any player who drops a catch.

ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES