Tags:
Journalism of Courage
LONDON, AUG 19: Stephen Fleming scored a fighting half-century today as New Zealand struggled to 170 for eight at stumps on the opening day of the fourth and deciding Test against England at The Oval.
The Kiwi skipper went to the crease 15 minutes before lunch with the total at 39 for one and batted through the remaining two sessions to remain unbeaten on 52 as seven wickets tumbled around him. He shared a gritty 53-run partnership with Dion Nash 8212; who was out for 18 less than 20 minutes before stumps 8212; for the eighth wicket to notch his 19th half century in Tests.
And his captain8217;s knock ensured the Kiwis bat into the second day as the English bowlers threatened to seize control of the last Test after Nasser Hussain won the toss and elected to bowl first.
England grabbed five wickets between lunch and tea with Alan Mullally, Andy Caddick and rookie Ed Giddins taking a wicket apiece and spinner Phil Tufnell chiming in with a pair.
Tufnell snared two wickets within three balls to remove third Testcenturion Craig McMillan and Adam Parore as the Kiwis lost two wickets with the total 87 before reaching the tea interval at 103 for six. In the meantime Fleming, who was batting on three at lunch, added 15 runs in the middle session as he grafted to resurrect the innings.
Chris Cairns, who was in doubt with a knee injury going into the Test, survived until tea but was bowled out for 11 by Mullally in the first over of the evening session to make the score 104 for seven.
Nash held up his end for the bulk of the last session before he was caught by Mark Ramprakash at short leg after fending forward to a short-pitched delivery from Caddick. No 10 batsman Daniel Vettori went to the wicket with the total at 157 for eight and was batting on seven at stumps after cutting the last ball of the day past point for a four.
SCOREBOARD
New Zealand 1st innings: Matt Horne c Caddick b Irani 15, Matthew Bell c Stewart b Mullally 23, Stephen Fleming batting 52, Nathan Astle c Stewart b Caddick 9, RogerTwose c Maddy b Giddins 1, Craig McMillan b Tufnell 19, Adam Parore c Ramprakash b Tufnell 0, Chris Cairns b Mullally 11, Dion Nash c Ramprakash b Caddick 18, Daniel Vettori batting 7; Extras: b5, lb7, w1, nb2 15. Total: for eight wickets in 90 overs 170
Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-45, 3-54, 4-62, 5-87, 6-87,7-104, 8-157
Bowling: Caddick 28-16-36-2, Mullally 24-12-25-2, Giddins 14-4-35-1, Tufnell 14-3-33-2, Irani 10-3-29-1
