On the 27th of November, the cricketing world was brought to a standstill with players and supporters alike mourning the tragic passing of Australian batsman, Phillip Hughes. However, with cricket matches already underway, it was difficult to believe that any player would be in the right emotional and mental state to step out onto the pitch. The players of both Pakistan and New Zealand were faced with this decision.
Waking up on the morning of the scheduled second day of the third and final test match in the Pakistan vs New Zealand series last week, viewers were given the news that the day would be postponed out of respect to Hughes’s passing, with the extra day added on at the end. Little did we know, there was a strong possibility that the test match may not continue at all. Reports began to surface outlining the grief of the players (New Zealand in particular) and it was clear that cricket was the last thing that was on anyone’s mind.
Luckily, that wasn’t the case and the three days of test cricket that followed this tragic day were ones of immense performances and emotions shown by these two dedicated teams. Once Day 2 eventually commenced, there was a noticeable dark cloud hanging over the field. New Zealand refrained from celebrating the seven wickets they picked up to bowl Pakistan out and there were no bouncers of any kind bowled throughout the day by either team.
When New Zealand made their way out to bat, it was obvious they were going to play cricket in the only way it seemed fitting to celebrate the life of a fellow player. Reaching a monumental total of 690 in their first innings the following day, with the ball flying over the boundary more times than I can remember (this test now holds the record number of sixes scored in one match), it was difficult not to appreciate this sport for what it was.
Brendon McCullum smashed a double century while Kane Williamson fell eight short of his double ton. With six of the Kiwi batsmen reaching their half centuries, the intentions of the men in black were clear. Pakistan was eventually bowled out a whole innings and 80 runs short of their needed total on Day 4, with McCullum appropriately taking the final catch. The close of play saw the New Zealanders embrace one another with hugs, bringing three highly emotional days to a close. The test series was drawn 1-1.
The actual cricket was spectacular to watch; a performance from the Blackcaps the kind of which I have never seen before. Bowling, batting and fielding were all on point, while Pakistan looked out of the running almost from the get go. But it was the gestures that did not affect the outcome of the actual game that spoke the loudest.
Both teams fully embraced the #putoutyourbats initiative, with each team lining their bats in a row (with their team caps) on either side of the gate that lead from the field to the changing rooms. Along with the traditional black armbands that were worn by both teams as well as the umpires, the Blackcaps decided to go further and add the initials “P.H” to their shirts, placed above their hearts and under their team emblem.
While I was proud to be a New Zealand supporter when the match finally ended, I was even more proud to be part of the cricketing world. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for either team to walk back onto the field and yet both obliged, producing a test match I will struggle to forget.
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