Saturday March 9, 2013
Rookie Rutherford puts New Zealand in good position
DUNEDIN (New Zealand): A superb 171 on debut from Hamish Rutherford steered New Zealand to a commanding first innings lead over England on the third day of the opening Test at University Oval yesterday.
Rutherford, 23, posted the seventh highest debut in Test history as he carved up the England attack, exceeding the tourists’ total of 167 single-handedly as New Zealand opened up a 235 innings lead.
The Black Caps were 402 for seven when rain halted play late in the day, with Brendon McCullum unbeaten on 44 and Bruce Martin 17 not out.
With the entire first day washed out, Friday’s interruption cost another 32 overs, leaving the Black Caps racing against time to use their advantage to rack up a rare win over the world’s second-ranked Test team.
Starting the day at 131 without loss, the New Zealanders piled on the pain for England as Rutherford nervelessly added 94 to his overnight total of 77, including a 158-run opening partnership with Peter Fulton (55).
On the way, he became only the ninth New Zealander to reach a century on debut, recording the best first-up score since South African Jacques Rudolph’s 222 against Bangladesh in 2003.
It was the seventh highest debut in 136 years of Test cricket, bettered among New Zealanders only by Mathew Sinclair’s 214 against the West Indies in 1999.
“It won’t sink in until I get home and have a wee lie down,” said Rutherford, the son of former New Zealand captain Ken.
“There was a lot of relief, I suppose. Obviously it’s very special to do it here in front of my home fans and family and friends.”
He said he adopted a simple approach to the innings, which saw him score 22 fours and three sixes.
“You just duck and weave and... try and hit as many as you can in between,” he said.
He finally departed after 340 minutes, when Anderson took the new ball and Rutherford mistimed his response, popping his first dab at it up to a grateful Chris Woakes.
Anderson ended the day with figures of four for 108, with Broad taking two for 89, while Steve Finn (none for 102) and Monty Panesar (one for 83) both proved expensive in an attack sorely missing injured spinner Graeme Swann. — AFP
- Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
- FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
- V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
- NBA: Heat beat Spurs to force game seven
- Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
- Revington says he will decide on future after the World League
- Iain steels himself for a good show at Seri Selangor
- MHC: No action against Dharma and Lim
- Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
- It’s on with the job as players glad it is all over
- Nadal seeded a dangerous fifth for Wimbledon
- Forgotten man Bastl revelling in 'new career'
- Indian GP organisers dismiss race rumours
- Contador has solid support but no Dane in Saxo Tour team
- Murofushi ban due to "overzealous" Japan officials - CAS
- Nadal seeded five at Wimbledon
- South Africa give De Villiers deadline to prove fitness
- Andy Schleck to lead RadioShack-Leopard on the Tour
- Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon
- Olazabal wins Spain's most prestigious sports award
RSS
