Cricket: Patient McIntosh repays the faith of selectors

Tim McIntosh in action. Photo / Getty Images

Tim McIntosh, take a bow.

His patient innings of 74 from 187 balls over 266 minutes was a triumph for methodical batting and the calculated leave - and was also crucial in helping New Zealand to a powerful position against Pakistan.

To be fair, much like his maiden test century last summer against the West Indies, he was never going to get a better chance on what was a batting-friendly strip.

Groundsman Phil Stoyanoff's pre-test taunt that there would be a result because of the poor state of each side's batting in the series, may have provided the necessary impetus to a day of toil and concentration.

McIntosh can be thankful for a number of factors, not least the faith of the selectors to retain him after a string of poor results. Six of his last eight innings have come with a return of seven runs or less.

New Zealand great Martin Crowe has also spent countless hours with him in the nets trying to perfect the art of batting time.

The influence was evident as he stepped away after each delivery and calmly walked towards square leg, often rehearsing shots before striding back to the wicket with purpose.

"There were a few extra nerves battling for my place so it's particularly pleasing," McIntosh said. "It's disappointing not to get a hundred, though, because I don't think I played and missed at one ball.

"The intent is to get a stride in and dominate. Initially your first 20-30 deliveries are the toughest when you're finding out what the pitch and the ball is doing."

McIntosh can also lay claim to a timely use of the new review system at the end of the fourth over of the innings, when he was dismissed lbw when yet to score, but given a reprieve off the bowling of Mohammad Asif.

"I'm pleased I got in just in time. I thought at one point it might've been too late, but it was well used. BJ [opener partner Watling] didn't really give me an indication so knowing it had hit the top of the front pad I decided to give it a go."

What is also forgotten in this return to form was his opportunity to see the Pakistan bowling attack in his unbeaten 131 during last month's drawn three-dayer for the Invitational XI at Queenstown.

He didn't face Mohammad Aamer or Umar Gul, but got a good look at Asif and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

Yesterday's innings will go down as gutsy in cricket's various annals but far from chanceless.

On 10-0 in the 10th over, there was a narrow miss of a run-out chance, then at 58 in the 26th he dived after a cheeky single taken by Watling to short mid-wicket went awry. If it had hit, he was gone.

McIntosh also inside-edged a near-yorker at 145km/h from Mohammad Aamer, just bouncing over the stumps. He then literally cut it fine against Kaneria, narrowly missing the outstretched arm of Misbah ul-Haq at slip.

The innings has been an opportunity well taken by McIntosh to reassert his place.

It's merciful, too, because there's little chance for McIntosh to spend a lot of time in the middle in a multi-day match until Bangladesh arrive in mid-February and the Plunket Shield resumes later that month.