It’s full steam ahead to Adelaide for Mike Hesson and the BLACKCAPS as they eye Friday’s historic pink ball day/night third Test against Australia — and the chance to square up the series 1-1.
After being soundly beaten in the opening rubber at the 'Gabba, Hesson’s men fought back bravely in Perth to earn a hard fought draw, led by Ross Taylor’s heroic 290-run knock.
The tourists then had a look at the pink ball under lights over the weekend at the WACA, a match headlined by Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner’s nine-wicket combined haul and an unbeaten hundred to opener Martin Guptill.
Said Hesson of the two day warm-up, "We were able to get the ball to swing even in the daylight which was pleasing… and it was good for Guppy to get some confidence.
"I thought he played the way he plays best, so that was nice and a few other guys also got some valuable time at the end which was good.”.
The New Zealand coach believed they’d take some learnings from the pink ball hit-out, but admitted that it wasn’t 'a perfect science’' trying to predict what would unfold in the first ever day/night cricket Test.
“It was nothing different to what we’ve seen in the past with the pink ball, so we head to Adelaide not knowing everything — but knowing enough,” he said.
Hesson has plenty to ponder in terms of selections, with Wagner and young spinning allrounder Santner pushing for call-ups.
"I think both will definitely be considered come Test time, so it’s nice to turn up to Adelaide and be able to assess conditions and pick a squad accordingly.”
Trailing one-nil in the Series, the BLACKCAPS will need to be at their aggressive best if they’re to salvage a draw, and Hesson’s confident they’re heading in the right direction.
"I think we’re getting better, I don’t think we’re quite where we’d like to be, but I thought we saw some really consistent spells in this game, and obviously in the second innings there was some really good signs, so we’re getting where we need to be.
"But we need to step up again."
The historic match is excepted to be played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Adelaide Oval, an experience Hesson said his players would savour.
"There’s no doubt some excitement entering into the unknown, but also, playing in front of 50,000 people. That's pretty exciting for our group and for Test cricket, so we’re very much looking forward to it.”
The BLACKCAPS take on Australia at 4.30pm New Zealand time on Friday, live on SKY Sport.
