by Shoaib Bashir rewarded some of England’s faith with an unexpected impact on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.
On a green pitch at Hagley Oval that historically offers little for spinners, against opponents who have just beaten India in their own turning conditions, the 21-year-old’s breaks brought the tourists four wickets as they were battling the Black Caps for control of the game.
Returning Kane Williamson looked to take charge with a stylish knock of 93, but he was one of four wickets in the evening session as England held the hosts to 319 for eight.
Bashir took four for 69, the best first day performance by a slow bowler at this venue since Nathan Lyon in 2016, to justify a selection that was anything but straightforward.
New Zealand opted for a specialist slow bowler, while England could have favored Jack Leach after beating Bashir on last month’s tour of Pakistan.
But captain Ben Stokes has made it a point to invest in the youngster’s potential and would have been happier than anyone to see him bring in Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry.
Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson claimed two each on a day that saw Williamson build a real strength position at 199 for three, only for the Black Caps to lose their next four batters for 53.
Things started well for the visitors in front of a packed house in the heart of Canterbury, with Stokes winning the toss and celebrating his side’s first wicket after just two overs in the field.
Atkinson was in charge, picking up a smart catch and throw as he attacked left-hander Devon Conway around the wicket.
That brought Williamson to fullback on his return to the XI after missing the stunning 3-0 win in India with a groin injury. While it was tough for Will Young to give up his spot after a Player of the Series effort on this tour, Williamson reminded everyone why he remains a compelling choice.
An advantage ahead of slips on nothing offered England a hint of encouragement, but that quickly evaporated as he posted three successive half-centuries. He put on 58 with skipper Tom Latham, 68 with Ravindra and 69 with Daryl Mitchell, batting with complete composure and occasional flashes of intent.
He looked in a menacing mood as he guided the score to 104 for two at lunch, with Carse having Latham (47) caught behind with a neat full delivery to make it an even session. England should have had a third, but Ravindra survived the slimmest of edge against Stokes when the bowler failed to appeal.
Bashir had not been used in the opening session, but was introduced early in the afternoon as the sun wore down the seamers. He soon had Ravindra, but with a low, full toss that he wouldn’t choose to remember.
Ravindra threw his head back in disbelief as he pumped the ball straight towards mid-wicket. On the other end of the line, Williamson showed no such carelessness.
After Carse shook his helmet, number three hit the Durham man with consecutive fours on the front and back foot. He helped himself to two more when Bashir drifted down leg, reaching 50 off 90 deliveries.
There was a first glimpse of debutant Jacob Bethell’s part-time spin as tea approached, Williamson welcoming the newcomer by sweeping his first ball to the boundary.
New Zealand took the upper hand early in the final session, but England’s luck ran out with a series of unforced errors. Mitchell, who averaged just under 75 when he arrived at the crease, looked to be short of pace for his 19 and found himself rushed by a steeple from Carse.
Preparing to shoot, he screwed a leading edge high into the air and into the hands of Harry Brook at third. It was a mistake his team could absorb, but losing Williamson seven runs short of his hundred was a deeper loss.
He has an impressive record of navigating the so-called ‘nervous 90s’ but failed this time, failing to master a cut shot and cutting Atkinson to Zak Crawley at the back point. The Surrey seamer was just two balls away from another spell when he delivered what could yet be a critical blow.
An energetic England continued to push. Bashir’s height earned him an extra bounce as he got one to throw outside, leaving Blundell to pick the point, and he continued the good work inviting Nathan Smith to throw the leg slip trap . As the ball drifted towards his hip, he flicked it towards the corner, where Joe Root was waiting to swoop in.
Bashir’s perseverance was rewarded again when Henry drilled through the ground, but Stokes will regret failing to keep a diving chance from Glenn Phillips on zero, the all-rounder finishing on 41 without being out at stumps.
