Hesson is right. Craig has enjoyed success with 33 wickets at 42.42 in his first year, along with 322 runs at 32.2, including two half-centuries. Those figures include 4-53 to mop up Sri Lanka's second innings and secure victory at Wellington in January, as well as a man-of-the-match haul of 10-203 to bowl New Zealand to their third away victory in 24 tests against Pakistan in Sharjah.
"I was a bolter [to the West Indies] and this tour was always going to be hard but the feeling of belonging has settled in," Craig said at the time. "It's awesome. I wake up, put the kettle on each morning and have a wee smile. It's good fun."
Craig could have significant responsibility at Headingley on a pitch that is dry on top and could break up on days four and five.
New Zealand are 1-0 down in the series and looking to sustain their record of six undefeated series. Two years ago, England's Graeme Swann took 10-132 at Headingley, the first time such a feat had been achieved by a spinner at the venue in 41 years.
Craig can be expensive, conceding 3.79 runs per over before this test, but he is also aggressive enough to take the initiative, especially in the third or fourth innings.
"Mark impresses by getting plenty of revolutions on the ball, as well as bounce, turn and drift which, on largely unresponsive wickets at home, is not easy," former New Zealand spinner Paul Wiseman said. "Ideally, he'd still want more cricket at first-class level but, given our position, we've got to fast-track players when we can."
What has been forgotten after Craig's struggle at Lord's was his 5-34 which helped secure victory against Somerset at Taunton. The talent remains.
