Colin de Grandhomme v Joe Root was an intriguing contest when it resumed on the second afternoon of the first test between the Black Caps and England.
And it should continue to be when play restarts on the morning of day four, after rain left both teams cooped up inside on day three.
The New Zealand all-rounder and the England captain last went head to head at Lords in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final.
Mixed day for Black Caps, highlighted by NZ’s second double-century on test debut.
On that occasion, de Grandhomme frustrated Root briefly before getting him caught behind for seven off 30 balls, on his way to taking 1-25 in a 10-over spell that almost turned the match the Black Caps way.
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What happened later to give England the win instead doesnt need repeating, but the medium pacers nagging deliveries and some of his fiercer ones caused problems again on Thursday, as Root made his way to 42 off 102 balls at stumps, a total he didnt get the chance to add to on Friday.
De Grandhomme didnt concede off 29 of the 30 balls he bowled to Root while beating the batsman on several occasions, and Black Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen said the battle between the two had been great to watch.
Colin certainly presents a challenge for Joe. Joes such a fantastic player a very good captain, and its a great battle, and me personally, I love watching it from up on the balcony.
On the speed radar you may see 115-125 kilometres per hour, but as you see when he hits the cricket ball, and he hits it a long way, hes extremely strong, so he does bowl a heavy ball and I think thats what you say yesterday, he had the ball either jumping up or down and was getting some movement.
De Grandhomme returned to the Black Caps for this match after missing all four of their tests during the home summer with an ankle injury which ultimately required him to undergo surgery in March.
That left him facing a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the two-test series against England and the World Test Championship final against India, but he was ultimately given the all-clear to play a full part.
He made a duck in the first innings with the bat, but has been his usual economical self with the ball, conceding just 12 runs from his nine overs, and will be called on as the Black Caps try to break the 93-run partnership between Root and Rory Burns, who is on 58, with England 111-2 in reply to the visitors first-innings total of 378.
De Grandhommes trademark mullet has been on full display during the teams time in England and Jurgensen was quick to give it a thumbs up.
I approve. My wife loves it. I dont know why, but she thinks its great, he said.
It certainly provides a bit of entertainment for the boys in the changing rooms and the crowd.
He got a standing ovation on the way back from the indoor nets after having a bat, so it certainly provides a lot of fun.
The Black Caps lead England by 267 runs and will be after quick wickets when play resumes on Saturday, where the forecast is for sunny skies, and 37 more overs are due to be bowled before the new ball is available.