In the end only one was able to perform under pressure and create history. Vettori started well and by midday had 3 Pakis back in the pavilion. Mrs Mandias on the other hand looked like it would be another day until her baby would enter the world. However, things changed markedly in the afternoon session. Vettori was unable to find that elusive, wicket taking delivery while Mrs Mandias produced one of the greatest deliveries of all time.

Two things must combine for a perfect delivery. Speed and direction, and while Vettori’s men couldn’t find either of these attributes, Mrs Mandias showed that she had both of these qualities in abundance. Direction wasn’t really a problem for Mrs Mandias. However, she showed her skills by transforming the Tauranga Hospital’s main corridor into her own ‘corridor of uncertainty’; that perfect line needed for any great delivery. This was especially evident for the numerous onlookers that seem to flock to watch her two pit stops half way down.

While her direction was predictably superb, it was the speed of her delivery that really impressed the onlookers. With Shane Bond like pace, she went from watching the Black Caps at home to delivery at Tauranga Hospital in a matter of 2 hours. Within 32 minutes of entering the Tauranga Hospital, Milli Banbury had entered the world.

Such was the impressive nature of the delivery that new Black Caps bowling coach Allan Donald has contacted Mrs Mandias in a bid to use some of her skills at the upcoming World Cup. At this stage Mr Mandias has yet to reply but if conditions are good there are no reasons why this couldn’t be a profitable relationship for both parties.

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