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The Black Caps, NZ’s international men’s cricket team, are currently enjoying a blinding summer of success across all formats of international cricket, repaying long-standing suffering supporters who have stayed with them through many years of promise which often ended in disappointment.
Returning home from a tour to the cricketing world’s powerhouse of India, where the Black Caps performed admirably gaining a win in both one day and T20 formats but ultimately losing both series, the Black Caps have carved a winning path at home, going unbeaten in four series across all formats in their home summer to date.
West Indies
The West Indies were the first opponents of the summer, travelling from the Caribbean for a series in each of three formats. Sadly today’s West Indian side are not the side of the 1980’s and 1990’s that struck fear in the opposition, particularly their opening batsmen.
Image Source - Neil Wagner celebrates another wicket in taking 7-39
First up was a two match test series with the Black Caps comfortably winning both tests. Highlights for the home side were Wagner’s 7-39, maiden test centuries for de Grandhomme and Blundell, the latter on debut, the continuing form of Ross Taylor and the maturing of Kane Williamson into the captaincy role.
The one day (ODI) series followed a similar pattern. It was hoped the West Indies would provide tougher opposition in the shorter format but the Black Caps won all three games comfortably. Trent Boult’s 7-34 and the continued form of Taylor were highlights.
Image Source - Trent Boult in flight taking 7-34
The T20 series saw Chris Gayle come in for the Windies, fresh off success in Bangladesh’s T20 competition where Gayle plundered a century in the final. However even his presence couldn’t save the Windies who were beaten 2-0 in the series with one game rained out. A century and two half-centuries for Munro could make for a good payday for him in the upcoming IPL auction.
Pakistan
Pakistan, closely followed the Windies, coming to NZ for a 5 match ODI series. They were ranked a few notches higher in the ICC ODI rankings and expected to be a stern test for the Black Caps, featuring the top ranked ODI bowler in Hasan Ali along with Amir, Shadab, Shoaib Malik, Baber Azam etc.
Image Source - Black Caps celebrate capturing another Pakistani wicket
Though Pakistan had their moments, the Black Caps had more and swept the series 5-0. The Black Caps top order of Guptill, Munro, Williamson and Taylor all fired, the bowling attack of Boult, Southee, Ferguson and Santner were equally impressive.
Arguably the most memorable performance for the home side was in the 4th ODI with NZ struggling to chase a total of 262. On a wicket where all batsmen had struggled with the two-paced nature, de Grandhomme walked to the wicket with 110 required from 90 balls and blasted 74 from 45 balls for NZ to cruise to victory with 4 overs to spare.
Image Source - de Grandhomme teeing off in scoring 74 from 45 balls
Formula for Success
The Black Caps formula for recent success is they have no weaknesses. Their new ball pair of Boult and Southee are world class. The return to form for Taylor in all formats provides solidity to the batting order allowing others to bat around him.
Williamson has matured into the role of captain and seems more comfortable with it, happy to be more aggressive in his option taking. And finally and possibly the most unheralded is coach Mike Hesson, who must by now be considered to be NZ’s most successful coach; always meticulous in his planning and the fact all players seem to have a clear idea of their role in the side is a testament to his management style.
Image Source - Mike Hesson – Black Caps coach
So the next stop in NZ’s summer of cricket is a three match T20 series against Pakistan, followed by a T20 tri-series with Australia and England and culminating in a two test and five ODI series against England.
In tennis grand slam parlance, NZ are shortly to enter the “second week” of their season, which will offer a sterner test than provided by both the Windies and Pakistan in the “first week”.
