Stuart Broad was lying on the physio’s bed when Brendon McCullum walked in.<\/span><\/p>\n “Hawk, it’s time,” said McCullum. “You’re going in next.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n It was the second evening of the day-night Test between New Zealand and England in Mount Maunganui and cricket’s mythical creature was about to be seen for the very first time.<\/span><\/p>\n The Nighthawk made his entrance.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a pretty simple game plan,” said Broad. “Try to hit the ball to the boundary and cause chaos.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s trying to attack the enemy when they’re tired at the end of a day’s play, except they weren’t that tired and the bowling was a bit quicker than I expected.”<\/span><\/p>\n On this occasion, the Nighthawk barely got off the ground. Although Broad survived until day three, in the cold light of day, the Nighthawk’s wings were clipped. Seven of 17 balls was less hawk and more tomtit.<\/span><\/p>\n Still, Broad did not have to wait long for his night to come.<\/span><\/p>\n In his natural habitat, will new ball in hand, 393 runs on the board and the New Zealand top order in his sights, Broad produced a Broadian spell to set England on course for a big victory.<\/span><\/p>\n On a balmy night in the Bay of Plenty, with England supporters singing his name from the grass bank, Broad had that feeling. The same feeling he had in Ashes Tests at Trent Bridge 2015, Chester-le-Street 2013 and The Oval 2009. Ditto for India in Nottingham in 2011 and South Africa in Johannesburg 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n “When I take a wicket early, that’s when I get a real feeling,” said Broad. “I just felt it could be our night.”<\/span><\/p>\n Pink ball, floodlights, a pitch offering some nip. Broad, full length and fingertip control, surgically picked holes in Kiwi techniques.<\/span><\/p>\n Four wickets, all bowled, four batters with fallen timber where once there was upright furniture. At one stage, Broad had 4-15 from 38 balls – and that included a dropped catch.<\/span><\/p>\n The pick was the ball to remove Kane Williamson, who must be wondering how Broad got past his defensive stroke to take the off bail. It was almost as if Broad magically made the ball disappear in front of the blade, the re-emerge behind it en route to the stumps.<\/span><\/p>\n At the worst point New Zealand were 28-5. They somehow clawed their way to 63-5, but will surely be beaten on Sunday, handing England their 10th win in 11 Tests.<\/span><\/p>\n It could have been so different for Broad, who a year ago was dropped along with his great mate and long-time new-ball partner James Anderson for England’s ‘red-ball reset’ on a tour of the West Indies.<\/span><\/p>\n
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