Late debutant Arnel makes immediate impact

After two false starts, Brent Arnel thought this test cricket lark was a bit easy.

The lanky Northern Districts paceman, 31, delivered his fifth ball for New Zealand in test cricket at the Basin Reserve and was stunned to see Australian opener Phil Hughes wave the bat and offer a simple catch to Ross Taylor at slip.

"I was ecstatic, a dream come true to get it so early. It was probably a batsman error than my bowling, but I'll take it," he said with a grin.

It was a day's work well done for Arnel, who also trapped Simon Katich lbw for 79 to end with the best New Zealand figures of two for 70 off 20 as Australia racked up 316 for four.

He'd only loomed into New Zealand contention in the past year after impressive stints for New Zealand A, and a solid first-class record of 106 wickets at 24.05.

And he didn't expect such early action today after getting the nod over spinner Jeetan Patel.

When Tim Southee went for 10 off his first two overs, Arnel was marking his run in just the sixth over.

"(Captain Daniel Vettori) showed his faith and I was quite happy to get the ball early. He said 'BA you're down the other end' and gave me a little smile and I was pretty confident."

Arnel had a feeling he might make the cut on a pace-friendly pitch after being overlooked in his two previous stints with the national squad.

"I was wondering whether it was going to happen then Batchy (coach Mark Greatbatch) gave me the nod and I gave it a little fist pump and I was ready to go."

It meant hurriedly booked flights today for his wife, parents and several friends who were on tenterhooks awaiting news of his callup.

A self-confessed basketball nut, Arnel shelved a promising hoops career with the Waikato Titans, and a job teaching physical education at Te Awamutu College to devote himself to cricket fulltime.

And on today's evidence there will be more in store as he impressed Australian centurymaker Michael Clarke.

"He bowled a really good area and he seems to nip the ball into the right handers which is awkward for someone like myself who likes to drive through the off side," Clarke said.

"It's very hard to have too much expectation on someone making their debut and there would be a bit of pressure playing against Australia.

"He started really well and we'll continue to look at footage and come up with better plans so hopefully he gets no wickets in the second innings."

- NZPA