"Two to win. Guptill's got to push for two. They've got to go. The throw's got to go to the keeper's end. He's got it! England have won the World Cup! By the barest of margins!" - Ian David Stockley Smith, July 14, 2019, Lord's.
The fifth and penultimateday of the World Test Championship attrition between New Zealand and India at Southampton brought a reminder of Smith's legendary commentary denouement from the last 50-over World Cup final.
What moments in a match - ball-by-ball, over-by-over, innings-by-inning – disproportionately influence the outcome?
The "barest of margins", when placed in the context of 612 balls which delivered "boundary countback" - or perhaps "zero runs" - as the difference between the two teams, must be among the most accurate, electrifying and poignant commentary lines in the history of televised cricket.
The phrase has even graduated to rarefied air as a slogan on T-shirts, mugs and face masks… mainly in the English market to be specific.
Now, on the eve of the final day of the global test match equivalent, one wonders whether any action has already happened which might wield a similar influence to the pinpoint Jason Roy throw from deep mid-wicket to gloveman Jos Buttler. Perhaps, if the current contest spurs into life rather than fades into a draw, the key plot twists remain unhatched.
The first innings opening partnerships – India's 62 and New Zealand's 70 – effectively cancelled each other out, as did top-scorers Devon Conway (54) and Ajinkya Rahane (49).
Kane Williamson and Black Caps teammates walk off the field. Photo / Photosport
Skippers Kane Williamson (49) and Virat Kohli (44) offered parity, although the Black Caps leader arguably wielded more influence across 177 balls and 294 minutes contrasted against his Indian counterpart's 132 balls and 196 minutes.
Kyle Jamieson blitzed through India to take five for 31, including three top-six batsmen, compared to Mohammed Shami's four for 76, including three top-seven batsmen. Jamieson at least offered more than half the economy rate at 1.40 runs per over versus Shami's 2.92.
In a less quantifiable manner, Shubman Gill and Tom Latham sparked energy every time they were involved in the field with their hands or legs.
Curiously, in reference to the overall margins theme, most of the New Zealand performances – a run here and a wicket there - contributed infinitesimally more to the state of the game, leading to a 32-run first innings lead.
India might be 64 for two on the scoreboard, but that's 32 for two in reality. That gives the New Zealanders an edge for now, even with the prospect of batting fourth on what's effectively a fourth day pitch.
However, one element to the narrative, and one uncharacteristic batting performance, worked in the Black Caps' favour.
Williamson's partnerships for the sixth, seventh and eighth wickets of 27, 30 and 29 respectively with Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee offered consistency and helped resurrect New Zealand's innings via 86 valuable runs.
Tim Southee bowls. Photo / Photosport
The highlight of that period, and perhaps a point of difference across the entire match, was Southee's 30 off 46 balls. The 32-year-old spent an hour at the crease to support a skipper he's played with since childhood.
In 111 test innings, Southee has only faced more balls six times and spent longer at the crease seven times.
The last time he advanced beyond 30 was against Sri Lanka in the Boxing Day test of 2018. The last time he spent more time or balls at the crease was the country's opening match of the World Test Championship in Galle, Sri Lanka during August 2019.
Could that be the barest of margins New Zealand fans are looking for as an advantage? We'll have a verdict in 98 overs.
