CHRISTCHURCH: Towering paceman Kyle Jam­i­eson completed an 11-wicket match haul on Wednesday as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan in the second Test at the Hagley Oval to become the world’s top-ranked side.

Jamieson was near unplayable in Pakistan’s second innings, finishing with six for 48 after his five for 69 in the first innings, to give New Zealand victory by an innings and 176 runs.

The win in Christchurch, which completed a 2-0 series sweep, also confirmed New Zealand had overtaken Australia to be the world’s number one Test side for the first time.

“It’s hard to beat really,” said victorious captain Kane Williamson, whose double century set up the win.

New Zealand batted Pakistan out of contention with a massive first-innings total of 659-6 declared, with man-of-the-series William­son’s masterful 238 supported by Henry Nicholls (157) and Daryl Mitchell (102 not out).

But there was still a chance Pakistan could force a draw until Jamieson took the ball.

“The most impressive thing is his attitude, his ability to run in and hit the wicket hard for long spells,” Williamson said.

In his sixth Test after making his debut against India 10 months ago, Jamieson has taken 36 wickets at a stunning 13.27 average and with four five-wicket hauls to his credit. But he said he’s far from being the finished product.

Jamieson hasn’t neglected his all-round abilities and, as well taking wickets, he has a half century and a splendid batting average of 56.50.

He had scores of 44 and 49 in his first two Test innings and took his first five-wicket bag — 5-45 — in his second Test against India.

Returning to the New Zealand side this season, he hit an unbeaten 51 in the first Test against the West Indies and took 5-34 in the first innings of the second match of that series. He scored 32 in the first Test against Pakistan.

“I’m a long way off the cricketer that I want to be,” he said after his man-of-the match performance. “I’m 12 months into my international career and it’s a long process and hopefully I’ve got another nine-10 years in this group and if that happens I’ve got more to come.”

Pakistan’s stand-in captain Mohammed Rizwan was bitterly disappointed with his side’s fielding and multiple dropped catches. But he said their biggest problem was Jamieson.

“He’s the only difference between both teams. The conditions were fair to bowlers but the way he bowled he took too many wickets in the series,” Rizwan said. “We need to improve in all departments, especially in fielding. If you drop catches you can’t win a Test match.”

Pakistan resumed the day at 8-1, needing to bat for the better part of two days to salvage a draw, but they were never in the hunt.

Trent Boult had nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas out for three in the fifth over and after that the day was mainly about Jamieson, who recorded his best match performance.

Although he is the junior member of a pace attack headed by higher-ranked veterans Tim Southee and Boult, the 26-year-old has rapidly advanced to playing a senior role.

After Abbas departed, Abid Ali and Azhar Ali looked to be laying the groundwork for a solid third-wicket stand and moved the score to 46 when the 2.3 metre (6ft 8in) Jamieson removed Abid for 26.

After using his height to create extra bounce and force Abid on to the back foot, Jamieson whipped up a fuller delivery and the batsman’s attempt to switch to a drive was sliced to backward point where substitute Will Young took a stunning one-handed, diving catch.

In a potent middle session, Jamieson had the out-of-form Haris Sohail and Azhar caught behind, and bowled Rizwan as he moved through his repertoire.

The left-handed Haris did not get his feet moving as he poked at a rising delivery on 15 and was caught behind.

Azhar attempted to take the fight back to Jamieson, moving into a short delivery and pulling it through mid-on for four as he advanced to 37. But the former Pakistan captain did not add another run as Jamieson responded with a ball that reared up towards the ribs and it was gloved to the wicket-keeper B.J. Watling.

Rizwan was bowled for 10 by a full inswinger that zipped between bat and pad.

Boult completed the four-wicket session when he dismissed Fawad Alam for 16 to leave Pakistan on the ropes at 134-7 when the tea interval arrived.

After that Jamieson, Boult and Williamson shared the final three wickets to wrap up the Test inside four days.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 297 (Azhar Ali 93, Mohammad Rizwan 61, Faheem Ashraf 48, Zafar Gohar 34; K.A. Jamieson 5-69, T.G. Southee 2-61, T.A. Boult 2-82).

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings) 659-6 declared (K.S. Williamson 238, H.M. Nicholls 157. D.J. Mitchell 100 not out, T.W.M. Latham 33, K.A. Jamieson 30 not out; Mohammad Abbas 2-98, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-101, Faheem Ashraf 2-106).

PAKISTAN (2nd Innings, overnight 8-1):

Shan Masood c Southee b Jamieson 0

Abid Ali c sub b Jamieson 26

Mohammad Abbas c Watling b Boult 3

Azhar Ali c Watling b Jamieson 37

Haris Sohail c Watling b Jamieson 15

Fawad Alam c Taylor b Boult 16

Mohammad Rizwan b Jamieson 10

Faheem Ashraf c Watling b Jamieson 28

Zafar Gohar c Henry b Boult 37

Shaheen Afridi c Taylor b Williamson 7

Naseem Shah not out 0

EXTRAS (B-1, W-4, NB-2) 7

TOTAL (all out, 81.4 overs) 186

FALL OF WKTS: 1-3, 2-17, 3-46, 4-79, 5-88, 6-98, 7-126, 8-145, 9-171.

BOWLING: Southee 20-8-45-0; Boult 18.4-6-43-3; Jamieson 20-6-48-6 (1nb, 3w); Henry 15-5-25-0 (1w); Mitchell 5-1-8-0 (1nb); Williamson 3-0-16-1.

RESULT: New Zealand won by innings and 176 runs to win two-match series 2-0.

UMPIRES: C.B. Gaffaney (New Zealand) and C.M. Brown (New Zealand).

TV UMPIRE: W.R. Knights (New Zealand).

MATCH REFEREE: Jeff Crowe (New Zealand).

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Kyle Jamieson.

MAN-OF-THE-SERIES: Kane Williamson.

FIRST TEST: Mount Maunganui, New Zealand won by 101 runs.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2021