Cricket: Coin toss key in drive for credibility

James Franklin has received high praise from Dan Vettori. Photo / Christine Cornege

It has been the captain's dilemma ever since the first coin was tossed in test cricket.

What to do if it lands your way. Sometimes it's a no-brainer, but should Dan Vettori benefit from his opposing captain Misbah-ul-Haq calling incorrectly this morning, he might be in two minds on which course to take.

The Basin Reserve pitch looks a cracker, with good grass cover it is hard and seemingly packed with runs. Then again, it is also invariably a place where the faster bowlers can prosper if they are prepared to knuckle down and bend their backs. There will be bounce and movement for those who can utilise it.

New Zealand must win the test to square the two-test series, therefore they must take the initiative and make the pace throughout the match.

In these situations, captains can be inclined to bowl first, to try to get among the wickets while there's something in it for the seamers particularly in the first three hours.

However Vettori offered a different slant on that thought yesterday.

"In the past here the team that's able to put a decent score on the board has more success with the ball on days two and three," he said.

"There's something in it for everyone. Guys who apply themselves with bat or ball will get something out of it."

And there's the rub. For the bat-first scenario to work out, Vettori would need far more from his batsmen than they managed in Hamilton, both in runs and application.

At least four sessions, if not five, would be the expectation of a good batting unit in favourable conditions.

From that platform the game can be controlled.

In the first test at Hamilton, the pride of New Zealand's batting couldn't manage one complete session in their second innings.

Vettori added that his view on what to do should he get the choice at the toss will come down to the composition of his final XI.

Until recently Vettori, as a national selector, could offer a decisive opinion on that. Not so much now that he's off the panel.

However he spoke about allrounder James Franklin in such a way yesterday that it would be a surprise if the Wellington player was not called up for his first test since April 2009.

If Franklin comes in, and possibly to bat as high as No 3, it will be at the expense of Auckland opener Tim McIntosh.

The tall lefthander scored a century just three tests ago, but was out of sorts in the first test and has too many single figure failures against his name.

"I see James as a batter who bowls a bit. His record as a batsman has been outstanding in first-class cricket for three or four years and his bowling complements that," Vettori said.

"Whenever you get a player like James with an allround package it's a real advantage."

If Franklin is recalled for his 27th test, it will give an extra string to a bowling attack which looked a shade skinny in Hamilton, well as Tim Southee, Chris Martin and Brent Arnel stuck to their job.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's tails are up. They are expected to field the same XI, and after events in Hamilton, why not.

Their record at the Basin is strong. They have had seven tests there. After drawing the first four, they won the last three, and by decisive margins each time, too.

"Confidence is the key in cricket. If your confidence level is up you always perform well," Misbah said yesterday.

"New Zealand's level might be a bit low but I still believe they are a good side. I don't think it will be easy to beat them."

NZ v Pakistan
Basin Reserve, from 11am today

New Zealand: (from) Dan Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, James Franklin, Kane Williamson, Reece Young, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin.

Pakistan: (from) Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Tanveer Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir.