A glance through New Zealand's test history reveals capitulations of the sort produced against Pakistan are not exactly unheard of. New Zealand have form for this sort of shambles, even as recently as the Basin Reserve against the same opponents last season.
But why this one?
There were no warning
signs, no tell-tale breaking up of the pitch which might have had brows furrowed.
Pakistan possess challenging bowlers who stick admirably to their job but they are not a destructive force, a la a Wasim Akram or Shane Warne.
So why did a group of the country's most capable batsmen (and remember there was no great dissent over the batting selections before the test) follow each other, lemming-like, over the cliff?
There seemed a sense of unnecessary urgency with some of them, which was not the order of the moment. The final session should have been a period of consolidation.
They started it trailing by 59 runs with all wickets in hand.
Had they batted thoughtfully and with their wits about them, by stumps they might have been, say, 30 runs to the good and well positioned to control fourth-day activities today.
Being positive at the crease is all well and good, but several batsmen seemed to lose their heads when a modicum of batting smarts, and respect for demanding bowling, should have been the strategy.
Some of the strokes were daft, others plain dumb. Take away the poor decision which chopped off Brendon McCullum's innings and New Zealand offered nothing. They simply rolled over.
No one was able to put their foot on the brake and Pakistan became irresistible with the ball, which should not have been the case.
Some home truths were spelled out in the New Zealand dressing room last night. Yesterday was embarrassingly bad.
Now New Zealand are playing catch-up with opponents who have the bit between their teeth.
