Dylan Cleaver provides five takeaways from the third day of the second test.
LORD'S IN DOUBT
There is a lot of water to pass under Tower Bridge before the Black Caps should start booking accommodation near St John's Wood for a certain game of cricket scheduled for June. It isworth noting, however, that behind the scenes talks are progressing at ICC level about potential alternative venues.
It has nothing to do with the fact that England are highly unlikely to be in the World Test Championship final and everything to do with a certain virus that continues to course across the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The match might have to be played in a bio-bubble and that is much easier to do if there is a hotel at the ground.
Under that scenario Old Trafford at Manchester or the Ageas Bowl in Southampton loom as the most likely alternatives. The weather in Manchester might count against it, but a WTC final in Southampton lacks a certain cachet.
The outlook for Thursday, your guess as good as mine, said Sir Dave Dobbyn once. Ditto here for the scheduled last day of the test summer. The forecasts have changed frequently over the week as La Nina (or something like that) plays havoc with the summer. As for tomorrow, let's hope it doesn't mimic Dobbyn's song: "Wednesday, don't mention Wednesday, not a good one at all."
VVS ♥ KANE
Kane Williamson. Photo / Photosport
Sunrisers Hyderabad batting coach VVS Laxman, also noted for his ability to bat for the situation, not statistics, had these kind words to say about New Zealand's maestro.
"Not all surprised to see the consistency of Kane Williamson. Unbelievable work ethics and attention to detail while preparing for any match are the reasons behind his success. A true role model for any youngster to emulate."
BOOK LAUNCH
There was an overdue book launch for Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle's co-authored Cricketing Safari, a classic of the lamentable tour diary genre.
The book was launched when the cameras panned to Trent Boult thumbing through a copy as he relaxed in the Hadlee Pavilion, before dismissively tossing it away.
The book, set on the Black Caps tour to Singapore, Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa in 2000, failed to elicit much excitement at the time but Takeaways did find one online review by someone called Kit, an abridged excerpt follows:
"The tour was marred by numerous injuries among the New Zealanders and a woeful double series defeat in South Africa. As a result, Cricketing Safari – particularly Fleming's contemplative internal monologues – often makes for a gloomy and depressing read, although the tone of the work is
lightened by Astle's interspersed segments of casual chatter… The book also includes some entertaining photos – check out Roger Twose in the hot tub and Flem as Mr Ed!"
Flem as Mr Ed! – how did this not win the Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction?
Naseem Shah of Pakistan misses catching out Henry Nicholls. Photo / Photosport
TEENAGE KICKS
Pakistan has a reputation for thrusting teenage speedsters into the team and on to the world stage. Often it pays dividends: think Wasim Akram, who was 18 when he toured and terrorised New Zealand for the first time, and Waqar Younis who was 17 when he debuted.
It doesn't always work. There are more sobering tales of wasted talents exposed too early, like Ata-ur-Rehman, who also debuted at 17.
Naseem Shah's tour has been, to put it mildly, challenging. Take little notice of his 3-55 in the second innings, when all his wickets came on the slog. In the first dig he took 1-96 off 25 overs, which was more reflective of his performance. Here, he has been poor.
Every time he has come on the pressure valve has been released as he's tried to muscle batsmen out, which he is not equipped to do at this level against good batsmen. He has been thoroughly exposed.
He may end up having a fine career – he's played nine tests before turning 18, after all – but this tour has done him few favours.
