One was born in Madras, India; the other in Auckland of Italian parentage. One is called Nasser; the other Daniel Luca. They may not seem especially compatible, but Messrs Hussain and Vettori go back a long way, and their duel was the best part of a solemn day at Wellington, on which cricket was distinctly unimportant. In 1996-97 Hussain was Vettori's first first-class victim, and, a month later, his first Test victim as well, when Vettori became New Zealand's youngest Test player by making his debut on this ground. Then Hussain was caught at first slip via the wicketkeeper's gloves for 64; today he was caught at first slip via his forearm guard for 66.

In all Hussain scored 25 off the 73 balls that he faced from Vettori in this innings. As our graph shows, Vettori's line of attack involved pitching 41% of his deliveries to Hussain outside leg stump (30 out of 73), though this was no Giles-to-Tendulkar scenario: Vettori's intent was attacking, attempting to exploit the rough areas - where, in parts, the ball is already going through the top - and he was eventually rewarded, albeit with the help of a duff decision by umpire Darrell Hair.

Hussain struggled with Vettori's leg-stump line, making six runs off 30 balls, and he found it a lot easier when Vettori went around the wicket and pitched outside off (nine runs off 12 balls). It was tough going for Hussain, not entirely surprisingly given the tragic news from Perth. He was in control of only 66% of his shots against Vettori (48 out of 73). Against the rest of the bowlers that figure was 86% (75 out of 87).

Rob Smyth is on the staff of Wisden.com.

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