New Zealand have stretched their unbeaten run against Somerset to 13 matches and 88 years with a 66-run victory on the final morning of their four-dayer at Taunton.
Mark Craig continued his second innings success with two further wickets to finish with five for 34 from 11.5 overs, including 55dot balls. It was the 28-year-old's fifth first-class five-wicket bag. He generated some significant purchase out of the rough, taking advantage of the footmarks gifted by left-armers Ben Wheeler and Neil Wagner.
"The wicket dried out nicely, so there was more to bowl into," Craig said.
"It allowed for some grip and two lefties are best friends for off-spinners."
"The ball didn't really spin until he [Craig] bowled," coach Mike Hesson said. "He got good turn and bounce off the straight and always looked likely to hit the footholes. As a wicket-taker he occasionally leaks runs, but he'll be better off without having bowled for two months."
James Hildreth with 115 and Tim Groenewald 47 provided the base of the hosts' unsuccessful chase of 277. Hildreth, with 778 runs this first-class season, is closing in on the rare territory of 1000 runs by the end of May. That figure's only been achieved by eight players and just Glenn Turner and Graeme Hick since World War II.
Hesson was satisfied at the performance of his debutants in national colours for what will officially be archived as a New Zealand XI.
Mitchell Santner made 27 and 94 as a makeshift No.3 in the absence of Martin Guptill. Guptill continues to recover from a side strain, but could play against Worcestershire starting Thursday.
Ben Wheeler starred in the first innings with five for 18 from 11 overs and Jacob Duffy generated promising movement with the unfamiliar Duke ball.
"I'm delighted with all three," Hesson said. "Jacob swung the ball from the straight which is a good skill over here. He was nervous but pleased to get through his first game.
"Ben and Mitchell were outstanding. Ben didn't bowl a bad ball in his first spell and came back well with the old ball. Mitchell created a lovely tempo batting at No.3 in the second innings in particular. We saw what a powerful striker he is."
Perhaps just as significant to the overall tour was the arrival of Matt Henry who has been released from his Indian Premier League franchise, the Chennai Super Kings.
He will get what's expected to be a significant chance to press his claims for the third test pace bowling spot against Worcestershire.
The right-armer's stocks could be boosted by the expected return of left-arm all-rounder Corey Anderson in place of the injured Jimmy Neesham in the starting XI for the first test at Lord's starting May 21.
