New Zealand’s 53-run victory over the West Indies yesterday sealed a 2-1 series win, and marked the first time in 12 years the Black Caps have defeated a top-eight nation in an away series.
The last time the Kiwis managed this feat, a 1-0 series victory also against the West Indies, they were ably led by Stephen Fleming.
Furthermore, this team possessed a bowling attack spearheaded by Shane Bond, who, according to Tony Cozier, bowled “fire and brimstone” towards the West Indian batsmen.
Thanks to a combination of Fleming’s shrewd captaincy, a solid batting order and Bond’s bowling, New Zealand finished the year ranked third in the ICC Test rankings and full of confidence. As Lawrence Booth articulately wrote in the 2003 edition of Wisden, “the quiet men of international cricket… began to make some noise.”
This newfound confidence, however, was short-lived. Within three years, numerous retirements and untimely injuries exposed a lack of depth in New Zealand cricket, leading to series whitewash defeats to England, Australia and South Africa and a drop to seventh in the world rankings.
While the bowling attack, headed by wily off-spinner Daniel Vettori and a seemingly never-ending carousel of capable but unremarkable medium pacers, could compete at international level, the batting line-up was woefully fragile.
In the 2007 tour of South Africa, New Zealand were dismissed for fewer than 200 in all four innings. Only Fleming, who would retire later that year, scored a half-century. Between 2002 and 2011, excluding tours of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, the Black Caps did not win a single Test match overseas.
This unenviable streak was broken with a dramatic seven-run victory over Australia at Hobart. The win came on the back of the performances of three young bowlers: Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell. This marked the beginnings of a confident team that over the next three years would go on to challenge England both at home and away and, more recently, defeat India in a compelling home series.
The New Zealand revival can be put down to numerous factors. As mentioned, the success is to a large extent due to the Black Cap bowling stocks. Both Tim Southee (123 wickets at 29.83) and Trent Boult (91 wickets at 27.45) are tremendously talented fast bowlers who can bowl both accurately and swing the new ball.
They are ably assisted by South-African-cum-New-Zealander Neil Wagner, at first change. In these three bowlers New Zealand have their most well-rounded pace bowling attack of the past decade, which can both pressure sides with accuracy and take regular wickets.
Though there are still undoubted weaknesses in the New Zealand batting line-up, most notably in the opening positions, a strong middle-order has developed over the past few years. Stalwarts Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum have both enjoyed golden patches recently, while the increasingly impressive Kane Williamson is making a name for himself as one of the most consistent and hard-working international cricketers.
Williamson’s recent undefeated 161 to set up the victory in Bridgetown was simply faultless and indicative of a player who, at only 23, will score many more runs for his country in the future.
Finally, the importance of wicketkeeper BJ Watling cannot be understated. Outside of being very solid behind the stumps, Watling, who averages just under 40, has ensured a stability in the lower order and is developing a reputation for his ability to eke out runs with the bowlers. For a side that will rarely dominate other nations, and instead usually win close matches, this is critical.
On the back of a quality pace bowling attack, a solid batting line-up, and a typically gritty captain in Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand Test team is the strongest it has been in years.
Though they still experience some of the traditional weaknesses of a nation with a limited talent pool, namely in regards to opening positions and the lack of a quality spin bowler, don’t be surprised if they threaten some of the traditionally stronger Test nations over the next few years.
Riccardo
Guest
Guptill and Latham is looking likely given the contracts that have been handed out domestically. If Martin can get his head straight (and still) and limit his shotmaking for a few overs he has the technique to succeed at this level. The fact we are able to talk about options like this and bowlers like Henry and Milne waitng in the wings is exciting.
Sylvester
Guest
Guptill and Ryder to open. Who cares about technique and footwork. For me, they're the next two most naturally talented batsmen in the country.
Mitchell Hall (@thefountain73)
Guest
NZ seem to be going through a period where none of the talented bowlers have injuries, good aggressive Captaincy and let's not forget Mark Craig who was pulled out of nowhere and had a really good series in the Caribbean. With Jesse "The Night" Ryder to come back and Dan Vittori i just hope this run continues.
Mitchell Hall (@thefountain73)
Guest
I think it's great to see NZ winning again, the last ten years have been a DARK period for NZ cricket. I wonder how much credit we should give to former Australian Coach John Buchanan who took a senior position with NZ cricket and helped out their systems?
DMC
Guest
Question marks over the seam bowling on flatter pitches? I've not heard that criticism before. Quite the contrary, apart from spin bowling weakness, I would suggest the black caps have one of the better flat track seam attacks in world cricket.
deccas
Guest
I haven't seen enough of Williamson at all, I wish we could get a four match series against new zealand so I could take a real good look. Smith is easy to overlook, I really hadn't much time for him, but he has the desire and his technique, though odd, is sound. I think they are both close to the same age, both bowl a bit of spin, and both have been identified as the future captain before really solidifying their place in the team. I can just see the conversation of smith vs williamson being a constant on cricket forums for the next decade and a half!
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
They will lose against Aus and southafrica
Bobbo7
Guest
Yep, Hesson deserves some credit. He has done much better than the bigger name coaches over the last 10 years
ak
Roar Guru
Yes. Thats true. I hope he does not retire. He is the last of the greats from the 90s. Not counting Jaywardene.
Nudge
Guest
You've nailed me their Clark, looks like you hold the bragging rights. I suppose I'll just have to hold on to being no 1 in the world once again, about 6 places higher than your mob. Bummer
Clark
Guest
We did beat you last time we played, so until we meet Australia next, New Zealand holds bragging rights. You may not like it but that is the reality of it. And regardless of who it is, it is a known fact that it is much more difficult to win test matches away from home, Australia in India for example...
Bobbo7
Guest
I reckon Williamson is a class above Smith, albeit that Smith has been solid of late. Smith is proving to be much better than I expected. But Williamson is pure class. I'm going to say it... He will be the world's best bat in 3-4 years. He is only 23 now and he can adapt and isn't flustered and does not appear to have any weakness, noting he is great against spin which is not an NZ trait. Crowe said he is the hardest working batsman he has ever seen as well. His 145 not out in a ODI v South Africa was a monster innings. NZ were a couple down for none and he played so well and we won.
Bobbo7
Guest
Probably true, though if would live to play the Aussies right now. The good thing is that NZ won the series with McCullum and Taylor doing nothing. That is a very good sign for me. And we've been so inconsistently crap for so long, any ray of sunshine has us NZ fans nude at the beach.
Riccardo
Guest
Thanks Nudge. Those names you mention bring back the memories when we could at least attempt to compete with your lot, sometimes successfully. We have had sporadic success since then but limited to the shorter formats generally. What I like about this current team and their present upward curve is that I can see us repeating Hobart at some stage and maybe even returing to those days you highlighted where we actually had a little grudging respect. Cheers mate...
Nudge
Guest
Fair enough Riccardo. It was a bit tongue in cheek. I do agree you are on the way up, and I would love nothing more to see kiwi cricket back on the map like the late 80's. so many good players back through that period. The Crowes Edgar Wright Jones Smith Chatfield, Hadlee Greatbach, Morrison Bracewell to name a few. Talented and had a crack
JCAT
Roar Rookie
I am loving my cricket at the moment. Blackcaps are doing well and Christchurch finally will get to see a test for the first time in a long time. I only live a 30 minute walk from the new "stadium" no excuse for me not to be there!
Riccardo
Guest
Nudge, I get where you're coming from actually. All I can reply with is 2 salient points: 1) Pretty sure last time we played you guys we beat you. 2) This young team certainly has hills to climb but be assured; it will happen again.
antz
Guest
awesum to see the kiwis doing well after so many years of heartbreak. openers still an issue, hopefully latham can kick on.spinners in nz will always be a problem but we finally got a decent fast bowling attack and some backbone in the batting line-up. credit must go to mike hesson and mccullum despite the doubts when they first formed their partership. kane is going to be the best batsman for nz eventually and watling almost deserves a shot at the opening slot.southee,boult,wagner,taylor,neesham have been great and mccullum is approching stephan fleming type aura for his captaincy if not his performance every time. heres hoping craig,sodi and latham can kick on and we can find another opener. maybe anton devicich?
Nudge
Guest
Far out, a lot of upbeat kiwis posting on this article. Pretty sure New Zealand only just narrowly defeated the West Indies, who in all likelihood would struggle to defeat Ireland in a test series, if it was played in Ireland
Bobbo7
Guest
The NZ ia looking great aside from an opening batsman. The team is young and balanced. Williamson should go on to be NZ's top ever run scorer. He has all the shots, great technique and most importantly he has brains and application. He is all class. Watling is proving to be a great wee nugget down the order - WK runs can never he underestimated and he is not a flash in the pan type. As we say against Inida, he can bat all day to save a game. Bowling looks great and they are a young attack. with many more years in them. I would have Ryder opening or Guptill in the absence of another obvious choice. Ryder is very special and he will make runs where ever he bats. With Fulton we are always one down. Ruterhford may come good but he needs to go back a level and do some more work. Hopefully Ryder can get it together because his talent is such a waste. he never looks flustered and has all the shots. And the coach must get some credit. Hesson was being attacked over the whole Taylor thing and while handled badly it was the correct choice as we are seeing. Taylor is a great bat and a nice bloke but McCullum has the mongrol NZ needs and he has lead from the front on a number of occasions. I have alot of respect for McCullum and great to see the team move on from all the drama - well done to McCullum, Taylor and Hesson for moving on for the good of the team. I want to see NZ win and I love McCullum taking a gamble. If we lost the other day I would not have minded given we had a real crack. The best period I can remember as a long suffering NZ fan. I also think we are a vey good chance at the WC. Talent all over the park, well led and at home. But we want more test cricket!!!!