The emergence of the Black Caps as a cricketing power once more has everyone excited; it’s so great to see our neighbors do well.
When you have a team with the likes of Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Trent Boult there are lots of smiles to be had.
Add in two of the most respected talents in the game in Jesse Ryder and Dan Vettori and you see a fairly exciting side.
But with excitement comes inconsistency and this team is no exception.
Following embarrassing loses to Zimbabwe and Bangladesh as well as poor performances against the best, this side were at minnow level.
Taylor was told to share captaincy commitments with McCullum, who is considered one of the best brains in the game, resulting in Taylor leaving the side for a while – all while Vettori was finding his back hard to move.
New Zealand was in cross hairs. Big decisions came, and then it was time to face England.
The Kiwis were unbelievable the whole game. the decision to play Bruce Martin was nearly the match winner.
Hamish Rutherford made a debut 171, which excited even the Barmy Army.
The Kiwis were proving something to the world, they had it as a team with England in tatters at 300 behind.
Then came the inconsistency.
In one of the more exciting games a late surge of wickets could not get the boys in black that win and England were left celebrating their get out jail card.
Second Test they were flat, the chance of proving doubters had gone, they had lost that honor.
But something about those two Tests proved the Kiwis were about to become something special.
Since that day against England it could be said that most of that team took a good look at themselves and thought “we have something special here”.
There is no doubting this side’s talent.
Corey Anderson’s 100 off 36 has surely earned the young all-rounder a healthy IPL contract.
Jesse Ryders innings in that same game saw him score 104 off 51, which would usually have the crowd gobsmacked as well, but it didn’t this particular game.
Kane Williamson around, who is almost certain to be the next captain, is a special talent.
Adam Milne will possibly be the world’s fastest bowler in the near future.
Tim Southee and Boult are the two spearheads to lead the team for possibly the next 12 years and beyond.
This a side which will very likely be seen in the World Cup final.
World Cup Squad:
Taylor
B Mccullum
N Mccullum
Ryder
Anderson
Ronchi
Southee
Boult
McClenaghan
Guptill
Mills
Henry
Milne
Watling
Sodhi/Vettori (if fit)
Bob
Guest
Yes Hagley will be perfect. Its not like Auckland has any lack of parks to develop into a cricket field.
Cantab
Guest
Not so confident on Ryder sticking around, might be best for Bracwell if he doesn't
Cantab
Guest
Great win, really excited about the Black caps moving forward, not enforcing the follow on was massive mistake...but all is forgiven now!
Cantab
Guest
Every city in NZ now has a separate ground for cricket and rugby, A square one with close to the pitch grandstands for rugby and an oval one with hills, nice views and some small stands for cricket..which nearly sell out every game (because they are small). Except Auckland....and I don't know why.
Clark
Guest
Wagner was special today, definitely saved the blushes of the batsmen's 2nd innings.
Clark
Guest
Yeah basically at the moment they could have played the match on the outer oval behind Eden park. I think at this stage the big problem getting crowds to test cricket is mainly a price one. If the want a half decent crowd they need to at least half adult prices and hopefully get more than twice the amount of of people and make about the same revenue. We usually do play tests on the boutique grounds such as University Oval in Dunedin. I live in Christchurch and am holding out for some test cricket at the currently developed Hagley Park, definitely an ideal ground for test cricket in New Zealand.
Bob
Guest
Disappointing crowd at Eden Park. Is there anyway Auckland could get a cricket only ground for test cricket. Remember Australia playing at The Basin and it was packed.
Zubes
Guest
Well done NZ. A great win. India came close but the Kiwi bowlers held their nerve. A fitting end to a hard fought see-sawing Test match.
Zubes
Guest
India almost won after being over 300 behind on the first innings. They've played some tough hard fought Test cricket in conditions not suiting them. Not bad for a young team. Shami is looking like a great prospect, India just need to find another 1-2 fast bowlers to support him.
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
So proud of the boys! With the gradual improvement over the Windies to their great oneday series verses India things are looking a little rosier. Its great to see when the consistant bats of Williams and Taylor get out cheaply then McCullum and Anderson step up. Theres starting to be depth and competition for places, a bright future ahead and more tests against higher ranked sides.
Paul
Guest
India at the moment are nothing but as one controversial Nz tv personality said a "smelly shambles".
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I'm going with the bubble being in the air. As any Kiwi would.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Shot boys!!! Well done. That was a real seesaw test that one. Who would have ever imagined that the boys will now be playing for a series whitewash in one day and test, what a turn around from getting embarrassed by Bangladesh. Looking promising for the world cup, some genuine depth in that one day side now in the bowling anyway. Guptill Ryder Williamson Taylor B McCullum Anderson Ronchi N McCullum Southee Mills McClenaghan/Milne/Vettori/Neesham That's a pretty good side.
One-eyed Jack
Guest
Good job NZ. Ian Smith needs to get his eyes checked. He is a master of the completely wrong call.
John
Guest
Things have evened out now. Both teams are evenly poised. The Indian tail is pretty much useless so if the kiwis can get Dhoni out, you'd back them to get home.
JGK
Roar Guru
India look home. The annoying thing is that the target wasn't 12 runs more so Aust would lose the world record. Weird decision not to enforce the follow on.
RWB
Guest
Nudge, do you live permanantly in your stereotypical dreamworld or do you occasionally come back to earth. Have you ever heard of the bulldog spirit? You relate spirit and the attitude of a people to some sporting event that hardly bears mentioning. Easy to stand up and fight in a winning sporting team, where was the stand up and fight spirit over the last few years for the KIiwi's (don't get me wrong it's great to see them going well) Don't mistake spirit and form. The poms will never have your respect or those like you, because you have developed into a hater and nothing we can do will change that. When you speak of Aussie people you only speak of the ones with the same deficiences as you and I don't think they are the majority. Cue, 4 or 5 responses from Aussies like you in response to this post. I could almost name them.
Zubes
Guest
Wickets have tumbled in the morning session. If India manage to survive the morning with not too much damage then its game on.
RWB
Guest
I'm sure they'll stand up and fight Nudge. Do you only operate in stereotypes mate?
Claude Bottom
Guest
Anyone remember Blair Pocock ? He was a champ.