Fast-bowling trio can't do all the work

By JONATHAN MILLMOW - The Dominion Post

OPINION: They looked too tired to celebrate. Daniel Vettori and Shane Bond were trying to explain the feeling of winning a meaningful test match but in reality they were near exhaustion.

The pair had been instrumental in New Zealand's 32-run victory over Pakistan on an electric final day in Dunedin on Saturday, with Vettori providing the final act and Bond the cut and thrust all test.

Together with Iain O'Brien, they were the heroes of a heart-warming victory.

It was a test that was not always premium class but had its special moments, particularly when Bond had the ball in hand and Umar Akmal the bat.

New Zealand must rate their chances of completing a series win against Pakistan.

The venue for the second test – the Basin Reserve in Wellington – offers bounce to the fast bowlers, a prospect Bond is relishing and the visitors won't be.

The third test is at McLean Park, in Napier, where a result is hard to obtain.

The credit for New Zealand's victory goes to the industrious fast bowling trio of Bond, Chris Martin and O'Brien.

Bond and O'Brien settled the test with herculean efforts on an unforgettable final afternoon despite the former bring minus a big toenail and the latter sustaining a dislocated finger.

"It's a little bit sore. I ended up having to hack the nail off, but it looks worse than it is," Bond said.

From somewhere within they summonsed up the energy to bowl in partnership for 16 overs, spurred on by an appreciative crowd that found its voice and created an atmosphere that they were able to feed off.

"There was a time when I thought the game was drifting away and then we got a sniff and the crowd got into the game and we kicked on from there, so the crowd definitely gave us a lift," Bond said.

New Zealand gambled on just four frontline bowlers – Bond, Chris Martin, O'Brien and Vettori – and if they continue to do so the quartet will be in wheelchairs by Christmas Day.

It worked on a one-off but if the stunt is pulled again and again Bond, or perhaps one of others, will succumb to injury.

"I'm pleased to come through especially being one of just four bowlers, it's the first time I've done that," Bond said.

"You bowled a spell then someone else was on and then it's like, Christ, they're going to give me the ball again. I'm pleased I've got through it as well as I have."

Vettori did not come down in the last shower and is now talking about getting more overs out of Grant Elliott, a player he said before the first test had a knee injury and would only be used at the bowling crease as a last resort.

The problem for New Zealand is they can not shorten the batting lineup because they will be laughed out of town.

The retirement of Jacob Oram and the knee injury to James Franklin leaves them without the luxury of a genuine all-rounder.

Vettori is capable of batting at No6 but it leaves the batting too light.

Elliott simply has to front with bat and ball at the Basin on Thursday, or the selectors will be forced to scour the domestic scene for a batsman who bowls. Scott Styris would be ideal but he picks and chooses his gigs these days. Joey Yovich anyone?

Bond's contribution to this test and to the New Zealand team cause can not be overestimated.

He walks with his head up and brings a steeliness and confidence to proceedings that has not been apparent since Chris Cairns played with a strut.

Bond has returned to the fray with a clear goal and all the attributes (speed, accuracy, smarts, fire) and his eight wickets were well deserved, as was the honour of man-of-the-match.

Mohammad Yousuf confirmed everyone's feeling that on first impressions Bond has zoomed to the top of the world's fast bowling pack.

"He's one of the best I've faced. His line and speed is very good," Yousuf said.

New Zealand's batsman need to find the right balance between occupying the crease and putting runs on the board at the Basin.

Batsmen can be forgiven for getting out early to good balls, but the tempo of Ross Taylor and Tim McIntosh's second knocks was wrong for the occasion. Taylor hit out under pressure and McIntosh stalled the game.

Perhaps a change in the order will improve matters. Peter Fulton has been a success domestically at No3 and Daniel Flynn had some good times internationally at No5. A straight swap has merit.

A test win should be embraced.

It was New Zealand's first victory of note in 20 months, dating back to the win against England in Hamilton, save an away success against Bangladesh.

Besides the bowlers, Brendon McCullum deserves a pat on the back for his work behind the stumps, Taylor posted a fine double, Guptill worked hard in the first innings, and the catching behind the wicket was faultless.

All this with no coach. Now, now.