In what must rank as one of New Zealand cricket's more extraordinary statistics, seven of the incumbent top eight batsmen have test averages in excess of 38 with five extending beyond 40.
Luke Ronchi is an outlier at 59.50 in his debut test but injured first choice all-rounder Jimmy Neesham clocks in at 43.28. Martin Guptill ranks outside the bracket at 29.96 as he rebuilds his test career but perhaps most freakish is Mark Craig at 42.10 in 16 innings. That's useful by anyone's standards, let alone a No.8. He has scored more than 40 six times and had as many not outs.
It is almost certainly the only time New Zealand has had such consistent test batting resources. They were showcased yesterday on the abridged fourth day of the second test at Headingley. The visitors rocketed into command with 116 runs at 7.25 per over to declare at 454 for eight, setting England 455 to win. The hosts were 44 without loss when rain curtailed play four overs into the middle session. Further precipitation is forecast for a brief period around lunchtime today.
Play is set to start under overcast skies.
Watling (average 40.71) extended his feat as the only New Zealander to make a test century at the venue on the fourth day, going to 120.
