New Zealand v West Indies 2008-09
Wisden's review of New Zealand v West Indies, 1st Test, 2008-09
Tony Cozier
15-Apr-2009
At University Oval, Dunedin, December 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2008. Drawn. Toss: New
Zealand. Test debuts: T. G. McIntosh; L. S. Baker, B. P. Nash.
Jerome Taylor's maiden Test century was the highlight of a game marred by rain•Getty Images
The notoriously changeable weather of the nearest Test ground to the South Pole
completely washed out the second and fifth days, reducing the match to half its allocated
450 overs. The temperature seldom rose above 14°C and, after the first day, there were
only fleeting glimpses of the sun.
The two completed innings established the closeness of the teams, but other issues
occupied more attention. The most contentious was the use of the experimental umpires'
review system, which had been tried for the first time in India's series in Sri Lanka
earlier in the year. The suitability of the University Oval for hosting Test cricket so
early in the season, and the design of New Zealand's new sweaters - the traditional
trim of three thin stripes was replaced with a thick black band - were more parochial
issues, but occupied almost as much space in the sports pages and time on radio phoneins.
Nor was everyone, least of all the players, sold on the new start time of noon each
day, which twice meant a finish close to 8 p.m.
Seven decisions were referred to Rudi Koertzen, the third umpire, for review on TV
evidence; four were reversed, three upheld. The first, an lbw appeal by Gayle towards
the end of the first day with the left-handed Flynn five short of a maiden Test hundred,
was initially given not out by the debutant Indian umpire Amiesh Saheba, but was then
overturned by Koertzen. In West Indies' innings, it was fully five minutes before
Saheba's not-out verdict on Vettori's lbw appeal against Ramdin was finally reversed;
Koertzen later explained that the delay was caused, as much as anything, by difficulties
in understanding each other's accents over their two-way radios. Both decisions were
marginal and, as both captains acknowledged, no reflection on Saheba's judgment.
Gayle later declared himself "not really a big fan" of the innovation; Vettori's view
was that it needed "a little bit of fine tuning", with the limit of unsuccessful referrals
reduced from three.
The two innings took contrasting courses. New Zealand were comfortable at 226
for four after the shortened first day, but lost their last five wickets for 76 after the
blank second. West Indies needed a partnership of 153 between the rock-steady
Chanderpaul and Taylor, with a flamboyant maiden Test hundred, to lift them from the
insecurity of 173 for six. The difference on first innings was 25 and, when Powell
bowled How and night-watchman Mills with successive balls on the fourth evening,
an interesting final day was in prospect - but the weather ensured it never materialised.
New Zealand were in their first match under a new coach. The former Warwickshire
batsman Andy Moles, who had succeeded John Bracewell, began auspiciously with the
success of his first tactical decision, switching the left-handers Flynn and Ryder in the
order. Well organised in method and neat in strokeplay, Flynn, at No. 3, was rarely
bothered in just under four hours before Gayle, in a spell of 15 steady overs, deceived
him on the angle from round the wicket and won his lbw claim on second appeal.
Meanwhile, the heavy-set Ryder's approach at No. 5 was more measured than usual,
although his dozen fours were struck with their customary power. He was also nearing a maiden hundred when he swatted a long-hop from Powell to midwicket. The lower
order produced useful runs, but New Zealand still finished short of the 400 Vettori had
set as their goal.
Gayle and Chanderpaul, in their different ways, propped up the fragile West Indian
top order on the fourth day. Gayle's belligerent 74 was made out of 114 before his
top-edged hook off O'Brien was caught at fine leg. With the innings faltering,
Chanderpaul dropped anchor while Taylor sailed along, completing his hundred in 97
balls and dominating their stand with a succession of handsome strokes, belying a
previous first-class best of just 40. He was the 35th batsman to make his maiden
century in a Test, but only the second - after his namesake Bruce Taylor, for New
Zealand against India at Calcutta in 1964-65 - not to have reached 50 before.
After hitting three sixes and 17 fours, Taylor was the first of four wickets to fall for
only 14. Chanderpaul was last out, one of Vettori's six victims, the 18th time his control
and variety had accounted for half or more of the opposition batsmen.
Man of the Match: J. E. Taylor.
Close of play: First day, New Zealand 226-4 (Ryder 54, McCullum 4); Second day, No play; Third day, West Indies 39-0 (Gayle 29, Chattergoon 9); Fourth day, New Zealand 44-2 (McIntosh 24, Flynn 4).
Close of play: First day, New Zealand 226-4 (Ryder 54, McCullum 4); Second day, No play; Third day, West Indies 39-0 (Gayle 29, Chattergoon 9); Fourth day, New Zealand 44-2 (McIntosh 24, Flynn 4).
Tony Cozier has written about and commentated on cricket in the Caribbean for nearly 50 years