Cricket: McIntosh will enter test in good heart

Tim McIntosh will go into the first test against Pakistan feeling pretty good about his game.

A test century off the game's No 1 ranked team can do that for a batsman.

McIntosh hit 102 against India in the second test of their November series at Hyderabad, his second test ton, and if the aim of the exercise is getting a jab of self-belief, or reassurance that you're doing things right, that's the way to get it.

The tall Auckland lefthander has played every test since his debut against the West Indies at Dunedin in late 2008.

He's averaging 29.17 in a 16-match career which has included too many single-figure scores, when set alongside two hundreds (the other 136 against the West Indies in his second test at Napier) and four half-centuries.

That number needs to be bumped up and McIntosh will go into the two-test series against Pakistan in good heart.

There's nothing wrong with his slip catching either, as a sharp one-handed snare against the tourists in their three-day warmup fixture at Whangarei this week demonstrated.

Not only will that century in India be in the back of his mind but he spent plenty of time at the crease at Whangarei too.

That should be of immense value for the 31-year-old.

But back to Hyderabad, and an innings which gave McIntosh a sense of validation about the way he goes about his batting.

"It was really rewarding," he said.

"To know you've scored 100 against the attack they do have, it does give you a whole lot of confidence for any match you're playing in.

"Whether that's next week or next month you've got that confidence in the back of your mind that you can do it, that the methods you use work for you."

McIntosh's cricket life is different from that of just about all his New Zealand teammates.

The test game is his only involvement at the highest level.

His game isn't suited to the hectic world of T20, and he has not been wanted at ODI level, although he is an occasional member of Auckland's 50-over team.

So he knows every innings must count. Not for him the argument that he may be among the ODI runs and that can help his case for test retention, should he be battling in the five-day game.

But McIntosh puts a positive angle on his dilemma, if that is what it is.

"I've kind of got used to it a bit over the last few years.

"I try and make the most of the nets and club cricket around those times. I am still in consideration for the 50-over game and I would like to play a few of those to try and get some specific training for the test, but it's not easy."

McIntosh works hard on his strength and conditioning and wonders sometimes if players involved in all three versions are able to find sufficient time for that between playing commitments.

"I've focused strongly on getting myself up to play with that, but in some ways I think that it can be quite nice to have a wee refresher. I've found that's something that could work out quite well."

McIntosh is on only his fourth opening partner in his test career.

He started with Jamie How for two tests against the West Indies.

Then followed seven with Martin Guptill with modest results in terms of first-wicket stands.

BJ Watling came in against Pakistan at Napier last season, and the pair put on an unbroken 90 as New Zealand chased a possible win before the rain arrived.

They had three more games together at the top before Brendon McCullum moved up for the three-test Indian series late last year.

The two Macs have had the only century stand, 118, in the second innings at Hyderabad, of McIntosh's 16 tests.

"I really like batting with him," McIntosh said of the more explosive McCullum.

"We've had some pretty good success, and hopefully we can continue that into the test series. He's quite an attacking player and we complement each other pretty well in that regard."

So does McIntosh look at it that his latest partner's style can ease some of the pressure off his own game?

"I guess it does in some ways. But at the end of the day, for me it's about playing my game and not having anything else get influenced by it."