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In today's video, we look back at the career of one of New Zealand cricket's ultimate fighters from the late 90s: Roger Twose. Born in England but a hero for the Black Caps, Twose was renowned for his mental resilience, fighting spirit, and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

We break down his journey from county cricket to becoming a staple of the New Zealand top order, including his famous contributions to the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy victory.

But the real highlight of this video is a deep dive into one of the grittiest Test innings ever played at the Home of Cricket. During the 1999 2nd Test at Lord’s, Twose built an absolute fortress to exhaust the English bowling attack and help lay the platform for a historic 9-wicket victory.

The Legendary Innings Scorecard:
🏏 Batsman: Roger Twose vs England (2nd Test, Lord's 1999)
📊 Runs: 52
⏱️ Time Spent: 183 Minutes
🔴 Balls Faced: 153 Balls
💥 Boundaries: 5 Fours

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🏷️ Hashtags

#RogerTwose #BlackCaps #Lords1999 #NewZealandCricket #TestCricket #CricketHistory #RetroCricket #NZvsENG

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Transcript
00:00Roger Toos born in England, but ultimately finding his true cricketing home in the black
00:05cap of New Zealand.
00:07He was the ultimate competitor, and he was not always the most flashy best man on the
00:13pitch, but when the pressure was high and the ball was moving, he was exactly the man
00:19you wanted in your corner.
00:21Roger Toos have to look back at one of his most legendary gritty test imagining.
00:26It happened during the second test against England at Lourdes in 1999, a series where
00:32New Zealand would eventually secure a historic 2-1 victory on English soil.
00:37Coming in at number three in the second inning, Roger Toos put an absolute masterclass in defensive
00:43resilience.
00:44He did not look to dominate, he looked to survive and exhaust the English attack.
00:49He scored 52 runs of 153 balls in 183 minutes, including 5-4.
00:55It was not a flushing innings, but those 52 runs worn down the opposition, anchored the
01:01top order and gave New Zealand the crucial platform they needed to eventually secure a
01:07massive 9-wicket victory at the home of cricket.
01:10It remains a legendary example of playing for the team over personal glory.
01:15So, let's watch his inning.
01:22Great shot.
01:26That's the way to counter attack.
01:30Magnificent assertive stroke from Toos.
01:34Hit that well.
01:36Certainly was a great shot.
01:39Alan Gale looking to intimidate Roger Toos.
01:42He's not in very good form as far as test match cricket is concerned, but he hit that well.
01:47Got right on top of it.
01:49Look at this bat coming down on the ball, just rolling the wrist.
02:03Pick a ball from Tufnel.
02:05Now and then he'll mix up his pace.
02:09That was a good delivery there.
02:11It's flatter.
02:12Never got up above the batsman's eyes and it turned a bit too.
02:20That was a slower delivery too and just off the pad.
02:26Terrific bowling from Tufnel.
02:29It's lovely flights.
02:32And turn too.
02:33This is actually quite good fun for the left arm into the rough for the left-hander.
02:38I always feel you've got a chance.
02:44Well, it's been a nervy over, I tell you, for Roger Toos.
02:48It's not really been forward enough to cover and smother the spin.
02:53Just having a little bit of a wary look at it.
02:57Good over.
03:03I found the gap.
03:04Just a touch too wide there from...
03:09To the Tufnel.
03:11And he has paid the price.
03:15This is a well-controlled shot by Roger Toos.
03:22Coles wait.
03:24But he's placed it nicely.
03:27Past Andrew Caddy, good point.
03:32Straight up, but it's gone a long way as well.
03:35And he'll go for four.
03:37Another control shot.
03:40And I think the added pressure of that man on the offside, David, caused that shot.
03:45That's his style.
03:46That's his play.
03:48He can become...
03:50Be calmed at the crease.
03:54And block and block and block and block.
03:55And then do that.
03:58Look to go over shot.
04:00Not controlled.
04:02But it's a big open space down the ground.
04:06Mid on and mid off a saving one.
04:11There is pressure around the bat.
04:13There's pressure around the bat that would cause him to do that.
04:18But he's got four.
04:19There's no real danger out there as long as he gets bat on ball.
04:26Changing the field again.
04:28Have to have a V from the offside to the leg side.
04:32Short.
04:35Short.
04:43Short.
04:44Short.
04:45Short.
04:46Short.
04:46Short.
04:47Short.
04:47Short.
04:47Short.
04:47Well, that was a good over for New Zealand.
04:49They're inching closer to the New England total of 186.
04:52It's 180 for three.
04:54Wow.
04:56That's why batsmen wear helmets with grills these days.
05:00All those who question it.
05:02Who think.
05:04He might be a bit soft.
05:07Well.
05:08That hit the grill but he's still hurting.
05:12Short straight delivery.
05:17He to me seems a tough guy.
05:21He's taking a blow here.
05:26Full on.
05:30That's a good bouncer though.
05:35Michael, that to me is his natural line, Dean Headley.
05:38Over the wicket.
05:39He's so comfortable bowling there.
05:41That's a bullseye straight bouncer.
05:45He's had a spell round the wicket but he's gone back over.
05:50Good fast straight.
05:52Directed well.
06:00That's where they played again.
06:03And it's not a very big bouncer as we have said before.
06:05And it's fairly quick.
06:07Another one.
06:12That's the reaction there from Philip Tufnel as he's punched through the offside again by Roger Tews.
06:18Off the back foot.
06:20Baller won't like that.
06:21That it is off the back foot.
06:23Beats Caddick again in front of square.
06:26Reflective.
06:33He's gone for it.
06:34It's up in the air.
06:35Alex Stewart's after it.
06:35It'll be a very good catch.
06:37And in the end I don't think he gets a hand on it.
06:43Again.
06:44Half chance goes Beggin.
06:47Alex Stewart this time had to turn and find the ball over his left shoulder somehow.
06:55While making good pace.
06:59And then he just ran away from the ball.
07:01He'd done the distance but Ian had eluded him just by a fingertip.
07:14Well.
07:16That very nearly carried to Ramfrakash.
07:20I'm not sure whether he picked the ball up early.
07:23I thought he should have been diving forward for this if he didn't see it.
07:30Still a bit short of him I think.
07:32I don't think it really went up in the air after hitting the bat.
07:35It was on its way down after hitting the bat.
07:39Well just going back to the point of Carrick Bowling now.
07:44Maybe he doesn't intend to take the second new ball.
07:46But I wouldn't understand why not.
07:53Of course he has two people up there but it's a second new ball.
08:04Well no stroke played.
08:11And it certainly spun.
08:13That ball spun back in towards the left hander.
08:16Spun back in towards the stumps.
08:19They couldn't be too sure that would have carried on to the off stump.
08:21It was a bit wide.
08:25That's through mid on.
08:26One.
08:27And two's.
08:29Bain's not to run at first.
08:31But he realises that Headley is very quick.
08:33And once again he's saved the boundary.
08:36Yeah, yeah, yeah.
08:39Bit of a wild throw from Hussain.
08:43Helping Headley out.
08:442.25 for three.
08:48Come on, Jack.
08:49Come on, Jack.
08:54Well, that's just out of Reid's reach.
08:57Risky shot from Twos but it's brought him another boundary.
09:00And he celebrates as well.
09:0350 for Roger Twos.
09:05Following in quick succession Matt Horn's 100.
09:12What a convincence in stroke to bring it up.
09:16But he has stuck it out.
09:17The Twos hasn't looked all that comfortable at the crease at times.
09:21But 50 runs.
09:23Well, for the day they still count 52.
09:29Very good partnership with Matthew Horn.
09:33120 the partnership at the moment.
09:40This is up in the air.
09:42Surely this time.
09:44Caddick's got it.
09:47Just a little lapse of concentration from Roger Twos after getting to his 50.
09:53And Dean Headley, who's looked the man most likely to, has delivered for England.
10:00Two short balls in a row.
10:03First one went for four.
10:05Wasn't a controlled stroke.
10:06Butto Mejad went down to fine leg for four runs.
10:10Good knock though by Roger Twos.
10:12It's 2.32 for four.
10:16Roger Twos began his cricketing career, playing county cricketer in England for Warwickshire.
10:21But a move down under to New Zealand changed the course of his sporting life.
10:26Making his international debut for the Black Caps in 1995.
10:30Roger Twos quickly earned a reputation as a fierce left-handed best man.
10:35While he became an incredibly reliable pillar in one day international.
10:40Famously helping New Zealand win the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy.
10:45His approach to the longer format of the game was defined by sheer will of power.
10:50He knew his limitations valued his wicket above all else.
10:54And possessed an iron-clad defense that frustrated some of the best bowling attacks in the world.
11:00Roger Twos retired from cricket in 2001 to pursue a highly successful career in the banking and corporate world.
11:07But his legacy on the pitch remains perfectly intact.
11:11He proved that sometime the best way to win a cricket match is not by hitting the ball the hardest.
11:17But by refusing to let the baller get the better of you.
11:21That 1999 innings at Lourdes will forever be remembered by Black Caps fans as the ultimate display of mental toughness.
11:29Thanks for watching and let us know in the comments your favorite memories of New Zealand classic late 90s era.
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