In this Bay Oval series we look backwards to Black Cap and White Ferns encounters through the eyes of those close to the action. After asking our individual guests to choose their favourite Black Cap or White Fern match, we then look at what unfolded in the game.

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There is no one that knows the Mount Maunganui international ground better than Bay Oval General Manager Kelvin Jones, who has been there from the day the first sod on the ground was turned on the 1st March 2005.

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Kelvin has overseen the Bay Oval progression, from little more than a project in waiting, through to today where it has gained a reputation of being amongst the very best of international cricket grounds in the world.

The Bay Oval General Manager, enjoyed success on the cricket field behind the stumps of the Te Puke premier team, in Baywide competition during early 2000’s. Today he still keeps a watching brief on Western Bay of Plenty grassroots cricket, looking to spot the next Black Cap superstar, to follow in the footsteps of Kane Williamson and Trent Boult.

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The Pick

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“My pick is the Black Caps v Pakistan test. Another great game that went to late on the fifth day, but was particularly poignant as the win was vital to New Zealand qualifying for the ICC Test Championship final, that they went on to win.”

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“The game looked out of reach for New Zealand, until Neil Wagner’s heroics with a broken toe, and Mitchell Santner’s one-handed grab to take the last Pakistani wicket.”

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The Game

 

The first Boxing Day test match at the Bay Oval, between the Black Caps and Pakistan, produced a result late on the fifth day, on the 30th December 2020.

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Pakistan's decision to bowl after winning the toss looked to have paid a big dividend, with the Black Cap opening pair of Tom Latham and Tom Blundell back in the dressing room, with just 13 runs on the board.

Black Cap Captain, Kane Williamson, strode to the crease in the tenth over and proceeded to take control of his team's fortunes. In typical Williamson fashion, he proceeded to work the ball around the Bay Oval. Stumps on day one, saw New Zealand in a solid position at 222 for the loss of three wickets, with the skipper on 94 not out.

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The Black Caps leader continued on day two, until he was caught by Haris Sohail off the bowling of Yasir Shah, with 129 runs to his name. After nearly eight hours in the middle, his big score had come off a patient 297 balls, with twelve fours and one shot over the picket fence.

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Late on day two, the home side were bowled out for 431, with BJ Watling (73) Ross Taylor (70) and Henry Nicholls (56) making significant contributions to the big score. The best of the Pakistan bowlers was Shaheen Shah Afridi with four wickets for 109 runs.

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Pakistan resumed on the third days play at 30/1. Batting all day, they were finally removed for 239, as the shadows took control at the Bay Oval. The visitors were in all sorts of strife, at 80/6, before Fahim Ashraf (91) and keeper Mohammad Rizwan (71), brought respectability to their side with a 107 run partnership.

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New Zealand had a short visit to the batting crease on the penultimate day's play, to increase their advantage. Blundell (64) and Latham (53), made up for their early first innings departures, with an opening 111 run partnership. The Black Caps declared at the end of the 43rd over, with 180 runs on the scorecard at a cost of five wickets.

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The Pakistan openers went to the crease needing to belt 373 runs to win. New Zealand had immediate success, with the opening pair of Shan Masood and Abid Ali, removed for ducks.

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Stumps on day four, saw Pakistan on 71 for the loss of three wickets. Early on the final day, Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan arrived at the crease, with no other intention than taking out a fifth-day victory.

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Alam played a patient bat and posted the second century of the match, finishing his time in the middle, with 102 runs off 269 balls. When Alam, went to a catch behind by BJ Watling off the bowling of Neil Wagner, Pakistan were back in contention, needing 133 runs with five wickets in hand.

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The Black Caps bowling attack then struck back with a vengeance. Kyle Jamieson had Rizwan adjudged LBW, and then a second, caught Watling bowled Wagner, removed Fahim Ashraf. The Pakistan tail surrendered meekly, with the last three wickets falling for just 2 runs, to give the Black Caps a hard-fought 101 run victory.

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The second test at the Bay Oval, will be long remembered for the Man of the Match performance of skipper Kane Williamson, and the heroics of Neil Wagner playing the majority of the match with a busted toe.

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The victory over Pakistan, played a big part in propelling New Zealand to Southampton in England, in June 2021, where victory over India gave the Black Caps the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

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New Zealand v Pakistan, Test at Bay Oval Mount Maunganui, 26-30 December 2020

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New Zealand 431 (KS Williamson 129, BJ Watling 73, LRPL Taylor 70, HM Nichols 56; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/109, Yasir Shah 3/113) & 180/5 (TA Blundell 64, TWM Latham 53)

Pakistan (Famin Ashraf 91, Mohammad Rizwan 71; KA Jamieson 3/35) & 271 (Fawad Alam 102, Mohammad Rizwan 60)

Result: New Zealand won by 101 runs

Player of the Match: KS Williamson