The scoreboard was on first name terms with 'Tom' and 'Kane' as the pair amassed 76 for the second wicket as part of New Zealand's 160 for two at tea on the opening day of the second test against Pakistan.
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson present a bright shop windowfor the New Zealand test game. Their patience took advantage against a Pakistani attack asked to bowl in a test for the first time this summer. Just as New Zealand had suffered in Abu Dhabi, the tables were turned and lethargy was evident. The performance confirmed the toss' importance.
Williamson was bowled by a classic slow left-arm orthodox delivery from Zulfiqar Babar for 32 just before tea. Latham was 84 and Ross Taylor was one at the interval.
Captain Brendon McCullum's call of 'heads' and his decision to bat might be the most crucial call he makes this test which, while a shame, is the reality on bald pitches where spinners, in today's case Babar and Yasir Shah, came on in the ninth and 12th overs respectively.
Latham exuded further gravitas as an opener. He knew where his off stump was, only played when he needed to, and looked at his best off the back foot punching through the offside. There was one exception when he edged Rahat Ali on 71 but it bounced before first slip. He repeated the blueprint of his maiden century in the first test.
Williamson didn't force the issue but bruised the crimson middle of his bat with strokes all around the wicket despite not finding the boundary until his 58th ball on 26. He will be disappointed not to go on after setting a foundation.
Operation Desert Strip began positively with McCullum and Latham bringing contrasting elements to an opening partnership of 77.
McCullum lost his wicket late in the opening session for 43, succumbing to a trap with a lofted pull shot down the gullet of Shan Masood off right-arm pace bowler Ehsan Adil. The shot wasted a promising start, but incoming batsmen could be reassured runs were plentiful.
McCullum was bravado for the most part and jittery on occasion. Several shots brought 'splat' and 'kapow' comic strip appeal, including dispatches for six over deep mid-wicket and long-on. The former brought indignity for Pakistan; they couldn't find the ball and there was no-one in 'the crowd' to throw it back.
Both openers were subjected to Pakistani close-in fielders regularly stretching their vocal chords with blood-curdling Howzats but nothing looked too convincing.
McCullum also endured the ball of the session from leg spinner Yasir Shah who flighted, drifted and spun one across him to rap his back thigh. The delivery would have missed the stumps, but it was alarming on the first morning.
Latham survived a review for lbw on 11 when the score was 25 but the ball hit too high.
ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES.
