CRICKET: England may win the the first Test today but to do so they will have to reach rarefied heights. In finally dismissing New Zealand in their second innings for 336 late into the afternoon yesterday, they left themselves 282 for victory, a fourth-innings figure they have equalled or exceeded only three times on this ground and never to win.
In the five overs left before the close, Marcus Trescothick and the first-innings centurion Andrew Strauss reduced the target by eight without being parted. But there was enough with the new ball for the Kiwi seamers - and Daniel Vettori after a single over of his left-arm spin - to anticipate much tribulation ahead for the home side. The omens are not good: apart from West Indies' incredible 344 for one in 1984, the highest successful chase here was England's 218 for three against New Zealand 39 years ago.
Yesterday New Zealand experienced triumph and disappointment in equal measure. There was a century from Mark Richardson to celebrate, proof after the bad decision in the first innings, when he had come so close, that there is a kind spirit.
This most self-deprecating of batsmen, who invokes and acts upon the Clint Eastwood philosophy that "a man's got to know his limitations", made 101 before falling victim to Steve Harmison after 7½ hours at the crease. That makes 815 minutes in the match for 194 runs, 37 minutes longer than it took Brian Lara to make 400 in England's previous Test.
Very occasionally, like a cricketing Brigadoon, he came to life and indulged in some uncharacteristic frivolity, and there were 10 fours. But mostly he prodded and poked with unwavering concentration, determination and devotion to the cause, adding 55 runs yesterday in all of 65 overs. He is an admirable cricketer in the same way that Volvos are admirable cars.
As his century approached, he became noticeably nervous. An inside edge past his stumps took him to 98, a scampered single to 99. Then, finally, a flick round the corner off Ashley Giles eluded a close-set field and he was home. He sank to his knees and then, in delayed shock, seemed to realise what he had achieved, leaping to his feet and punching the air joyously.
New Zealand first innings 386 (M.Richardson 93, C.Cairns 82, J.Oram 67, N.Astle 64; S.Harmison 4-126).
England first innings 441 (A.Strauss 112, M.Trescothick 86, A.Flintoff 63)
NEW ZEALAND second innings
(overnight 134-1)
M Richardson c G.Jones b Harmison 101
S Fleming c Hussain b Harmison 4
B McCullum c G.Jones b S.Jones 96
S Styris c Hussain b Giles 4
C McMillan c Hussain b Giles 0
J Oram run out (Hussain) 4
N Astle c G.Jones b Harmison 49
C Cairns c Butcher b Giles 14
D Vettori c G.Jones b Harmison 5
D Tuffey not out 14
C Martin b Flintoff 7
Extras (b-14 lb-16 nb-8) ... 38
Total (all out, 121.1 overs) ... 336
Bowling: Harmison 29-8-76-4; Flintoff 16.1-5-40-1; Hoggard 14-3-39-0 (5-nb); S Jones 23-5-64-1 (3-nb); Giles 39-8-87-3.
ENGLAND second innings
M Trescothick not out 1
A Strauss not out 6
Extras (nb-1) ... 1
Total (for no wicket, 5 overs) ... 8
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