As a case of reversal of fortunes, the Basin Reserve provided a perfect backdrop. It was here, almost a year ago, that one career reached its low point, another its zenith. Yesterday those roles were reversed.
Daniel Vettori gave a spin-bowling clinic. When you win the toss, insert the opposition
into bat and your orthodox spinner is your most potent weapon while the first session is still live, then you know you've either made a miscalculation or you're watching something special.
Justin Langer, the first to fall, became Vettori's 50th Australian victim in tests.
Only Sir Richard Hadlee has been more productive against this arch enemy.
He was bowling to attacking fields and conceding little more than two an over. Until late in the day, when the weight of overs finally told, he was near flawless. Batsmen were using their feet to him but couldn't get there. He's not as flat or as fast as Derek Underwood, but when he delivers from all his six-foot and some, he is equally as difficult to get to.
Now think back a year ago. Five wicketless innings culminated at the Basin Reserve when Vettori took 0-76 and 0-52. His action was being picked apart, he was bowling a four-ball an over and was, for the first time since breaking into the side as a prodigiously talented 17-year-old, having his place in the team questioned.
His average had ballooned out to 37.78. Since then he has taken, before this test, 40 wickets at 23.27. The only question mark surrounding him now is whether his fragile back can carry him through the burden of bowling virtually unchanged at one end throughout the rest of his career.
Now contrast Chris Martin. Last year at the Basin he tormented the South Africans with 5-55 and 2-65 in a losing effort. It was the end of a golden summer for Martin and it has never been as good since. In that test he took his 50th test wicket at the decent average of 28.38. Since then he's taken 12 wickets at an average of more than 60.
Yesterday he had wretched luck, the sort of luck that seems to afflict only those in desperate need of wickets. Daniel Vettori could tell him all about that.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
