Cricket: Harris hooks his way into hearts

By RICHARD BOOCK

The story from Eden Park so far involves not one but two of the game's most celebrated ugly ducklings, a pair who - weather permitting - could yet decide the fate of the third test.

On one hand there is New Zealand's Chris Harris, whose grit and sheer mental toughness has already saved his team from almost certain humiliation, and on the other there is pace bowler Andy Caddick - the latest and possibly the most unfashionable member of the 200 test wicket club.

The former Canterbury age-group players had much to be pleased about during the first day's action and, although the second was washed out, both will be in the spotlight this morning when New Zealand begin the third, precariously placed at 151 for five.

That the hosts even made it that far was something of a minor miracle given they were at one stage 19 for four, and if they can thank one player for their eventual recovery it would be the much-maligned Harris.

Having batted at 9 and 10 respectively in his previous, Harris grafted an unbeaten 55 at No 4 after coming to the wicket in the eighth over with New Zealand teetering at 17 for two.

It was a typically awkward innings from a man who might have learned his technique from a hockey goal-keeper, but in terms of value to his team it was a priceless contribution and ranked as one of the best escape acts of the summer.

Whatever the left-hander might have lacked in aesthetics he made up for with substance, steadily repairing the innings with a repertoire which included his trademark cover-drive through mid-wicket and off-balance swivel-hook.

He should have been given out on 28 when he gloved a ball to short-square off Matthew Hoggard, but umpire Doug Cowie, who had previously made two superb decisions involving appeals against Craig McMillan and Adam Parore, showed he was human by turning down the shout.

For his part, Caddick again lived up to his billing as one of the best fast-mediums in the business, not to mention a growing reputation for baiting the opposition.

He wasn't even trying at Saturday night's press conference but still managed to keep his hand in, mentioning that "Chris Harris played well - for the second time today," and adding later: "That's a pretty good quote for you guys about Harris."

The only problem was that Harris was sitting at the back of the room at the time, waiting to speak next.

For all that, it was Caddick's bowling rather than his wisecracks which has England so well placed, the right-armer mowing down the New Zealand top-order in the opening session and raising questions about Stephen Fleming's decision to bat first.

Having started the match with 196 wickets, Caddick comprehensively defeated Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent, had Nathan Astle brilliantly caught by Graham Thorpe and brought up the 200-wicket milestone when he trapped McMillan in front just before lunch.

The 33-year-old has been accused of all sorts of deficiencies in the past, from bowling too short to not shouldering responsibility, but he is now only the ninth bowler to take 200 test wickets for England, sitting behind Ian Botham (383), Bob Willis (325), Fred Trueman (307), Derek Underwood (297), Brian Statham (252), Alec Bedser (236), Darren Gough (228) and John Snow (202).

Of New Zealand-born test cricketers, only Richard Hadlee (434) and Australia's Clarrie Grimmett (216) have taken more.

Neither would it have escaped his notice that he reached the 200-mark before his teenaged nemesis Chris Cairns, who apparently overshadowed Caddick during their early years at Canterbury and is now injured with his tally at 197.