Published: Jun 21, 2015, 08:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 21, 2015, 08:50 PM (IST)
After four matches of utter chaos wrecked by batsmen on abysmally flat decks, the fifth One-Day International (ODI) between England and New Zealand saw some sanity being restored with bowlers assuming control. Rishad D’Souza points out why the match was so enjoyable.
It would not take major cricket expertise to determine that the One-Day International (ODI) series between England and New Zealand was heavily inclined in favour of batsmen. The bowlers were reduced to being mere spectators for the most part, with batsmen hitting them for boundaries at will. The contest was essentially just between the batsmen of both sides.
Towards the end of the fourth ODI the batsmen themselves could not help but feel for their bowling counterparts. Ross Taylor, who himself reaped fruit of the overly-batsmen friendly conditions, scoring runs at an average of about 80, spoke for the bowlers and even offered a suggestion to ease it for bowlers. England vs New Zealand 2015: Black Caps shine for once with the ball, even if in vain
The spectators, and admittedly most of us in the newsroom, had fun; but beyond a point it was quite distressing to look at the often helpless faces of bowlers while batsmen went hammer and tongs. It came to a point where an economy of less then 8 for the bowlers came to be viewed as a good effort.
Throughout the first four ODIs, the runs rained down, flooding bowlers with anguish. In view of that, it was extremely refreshing that the fifth ODI was one where bowlers actually had a say in proceedings. There was swing and bounce for the seamers, while the spinners revelled in the adequate turn. England have decoded ODI batting but bowling remains suspect
England’s bowlers restricted New Zealand to a relatively modest score of 283 for 9 in their fifty overs. Even that was achieved only because of some shrewd last-over batting by Ben Wheeler, which saw Steven Finn go for 22 runs. By standard of the previous matches, the chase should have been a cakewalk.
Unfortunately, after halfway stage, there was a big rain interruption. England were presented with a fresh target of 192 from 26 overs, courtesy of the Duckworth/Lewis (D/L)method. England’s batsmen set out with their newfound positive intent, but soon the realisation donned upon them, as it had upon New Zealand earlier, that conditions were not lopsidedly leaning towards batsmen for a change. New Zealand’s bowling woes continue to mar batting brilliance
They lost their first wicket for 8. The second wicket fell for 20 and the third fell one ball later on the same score. The fourth wicket was not far away and tumbled with England at just 40. Five runs later, the fifth wicket fell. The bowlers, who had been silenced for four gruelling 50-over games, finally had their say.
However, the Englishmen continued with their aggressive approach and got across the line with an over to spare. New Zealand’s bowlers had only themselves to blame this time, and not the conditions. Dropped chances in the field didn’t help either. Jonny Bairstow, who ultimately got his team par the line, was given two lives in the field. New Zealand would have won had the chances been taken. New Zealand bowlers have to get their act together against England
One way or the other, the bowlers were spared the wrath in the final ODI. After a series of haemorrhaging run rates and utter dominance by batsmen, the bowlers were finally presented an opportunity to express themselves.
(RishadD’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)
