“Fire and ice,” New Zealand’s media manager Willy Nicholls, Henry’s brother, called them. They are opposites that complement each other. Mitchell is the manager in every way, Blundell the defender and deflector.
It would be cruel on Mitchell if he went home on the back of a 3-0 defeat, even if he took the player of the series award along. It was less than three years ago that Mitchell made his Test debut against England at Hamilton, an inconspicuous medium-paced player who has since become an outstanding batsman, adding one percent of other sports to his cricket.
England did not bowl full enough at Blundell. Like all guards, he was skilled in cutting and pulling, so the dismissal with the short ball at Trent Bridge was a one-off red herring. When he tried a straight drive during his brave 88 * the ball landed in his crease, his head fell over, his eyes did not look, but, boy, he fought. And if they are opposites in style, Mitchell and Blundell have patience in common: the patience of players who are forced to wait for their chance, Mitchell by Colin de Grandhomme, Blundell by BJ Watling.
The partnership that has not yet gel is that of England’s opening pair. In 12 attempts, Alex Lees and Zak Crawley have yet to score an opening 60 points. Even for players who are new to each other, their communication is poor.
The over before the run was Crawley on the floor after trying a single that did not exist. After nailing his off-drive, Crawley was too purposeful to admire it to be aware of his partner’s commitment to an individual; but he served England to hit Trent Boult for four overs in one over to set the tone of this running chase.
Lees and Crawley are left-handed and right-handed, but perhaps too similar: both long, one with Zak’s first name and the other with Zac’s second name. It would be good if Brendon McCullum, for his next trick, could sort out their calling before Friday when England go against India again too soon.