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Jones hundred puts England on top

Monday, June 7 2004

New Zealand 409 (Fleming 97, Papps 86, Harmison 4 for 74) and 102 for 5
England 526 (Trescothick 132, Jones 100, Flintoff 94, Styris 3 for 88)


The fourth day of this test was completely dominated by England, who should now take an unassailable 2-0 lead. Having started play 161 runs behind New Zealand, there was a good chance that they would concede a significant first innings deficit, which, on an increasingly difficult pitch, would have given the tourists an excellent chance of levelling the series. Instead, they comfortably established a lead and, once their bowlers had found their range, a flurry of late wickets put them firmly in the ascendancy. The final scorecard actually understates the position, as injuries to Papps and Vettori may well prevent them from batting unless the situation absolutely demands it.


The opening overs clearly demonstrated the difficulties facing batsmen on this wicket, as both Flintoff and Thorpe took blows to the body. However, the Kiwi bowlers did not maintain any sort of pressure and a regular supply of poor deliveries allowed the score to mount. As you might expect, Flintoff was the more aggressive of the two, but he was able to play thoroughly orthodox attacking shots to a variety of loose balls. Having been allowed to settle in, the new ball posed few threats and he brought up his half-century with a pulled six and a lofted four off Martin. Thorpe was initially more watchful but he, in turn, was able to take advantage of the gifts on offer with a succession of well-timed cuts and drives. The pair had added 99 when Martin produced a pacey inswinging yorker that bowled Thorpe for 34.


Thorpe was replaced by Geraint Jones who again showed what a classy batsman he is. Admittedly the New Zealand bowlers continue to provide far too many freebies, but he took advantage of them beautifully, even managing to outscore Flintoff. He didn't only punish the quicker bowlers - the usually economical Vettori also came in for treatment, and the keeper brought up his half century with a driven six off the spinner. He continued to batter the wayward attack as he made rapid progress towards his maiden test hundred which arrived shortly after tea when he pushed Tuffey into the offside for a rare single. His hundred contained 15 fours and a six and was absolutely vital in turning the game England's way. He fell to Cairns immediately afterwards, but his round 100 had put his side well in control.


Flintoff had already departed by then. He batted really well, and showed great restraint as Jones dominated the scoring. He still played some big shots, of course, but he was also prepared to be patient and play out maidens if the bowling merited it. He reached 94 and looked well set for a century when, once again, he gave his wicket away. There are a number of ways of reaching three figures, but lofting Styris over mid-off for six on a tricky pitch probably isn't the best of them and, sure enough, he only managed to give a simple catch to Chris Martin. It's probably churlish to be critical after what was, to this observer, the finest innings he has played for his country, but it was still disappointing to see him once again allow the opposition back into the game when he looked quite capable of batting them out of it. Although he and Jones had added 118, England's lead was only 48, and chasing any sort of total in the fourth innings on this pitch is not going to be easy. Sure enough, England matched the Black Caps by losing their last three wickets without adding a run. However, by then Jones' 100 and a rapid 21 from Giles had taken England 117 runs ahead.


Given a substantial lead, a difficult pitch and the absence of Papps at the top of the New Zealand order, England must have fancied their chances of making serious inroads before the close of play. However, much of England's bowling was in keeping with their recent efforts at Headingley - it was horrible. Something in the Yorkshire air seems to bring out the worst in them and, although it was obvious that straight balls on a length would allow the pitch to do the rest, Harmison bowled far too short and Hoggard was simply innocuous. Eventually Fleming, who had had a difficult time of it, was well taken at short leg by Strauss off the bowling of Flintoff for 11. But this had taken 17 overs and, by the time Richardson & McCullum had taken the score to 75, many observers were wondering if England would fritter their advantage.


Finally, England's openers came good with four wickets in as many overs. Hoggard produced a brute of a delivery to have Richardson caught behind for 40 and, in the following over, Harmison had McCullum brilliantly taken by Trescothick for 20. Hoggard then trapped Astle lbw for 8 and Harmison then removed the night watchman Tuffey, who gloved a nasty short delivery to Jones. 75 for 1 had become 91 for 5 and, although Styris & Oram avoided any further mishaps, England now look well set to secure the series.



Posted by David