After a stellar 2014 in Test cricket, where they didn’t lose a series and won the most number of Tests in a calendar year in their history, New Zealand have kicked off 2015 with another victory.
The Black Caps have got that winning feeling and are finding ways to turn losing situations into wins, with the second Test against Sri Lanka at the unique Basin Reserve in Wellington a prime example.
The Sri Lankans led by 135 after the first innings, thanks to another double hundred by the incomparable Kumar Sangakkara, but after stumbling to 5-149 in their second dig, the home team not only recovered but dominated the rest of the match, thanks to a world record sixth wicket partnership of 365 by Kane Williamson and BJ Watling.
Williamson, who had a breakthrough year in 2014, finished unbeaten on 242 and Watling 142 as Sri Lanka was set 390 to win. They were bowled out for just 196, ensuring a comfortable win for the Black Caps, which looked unlikely after the first innings. This result gave them a 2-0 series triumph.
In 2014 New Zealand beat India at home and the West Indies away and drew with Pakistan 1-1 in a three-Test series in the UAE – which was a better result than Australia, who lost there 2-0 – and now have accounted for Sri Lanka.
This team is settled, with the selectors willing to back the incumbents and give them an extended time in the national side to find their way and gain confidence, and they are repaying the faith.
Left-hander Tom Latham has found his niche as an opener, Williamson, Ross Taylor and skipper, Brendan McCullum, who became the first New Zealander to score more than 1000 Test runs in a calendar year in 2014, form one of the best middle order batting line-ups in world cricket. And at number six it’s either batting all-rounder Corey Anderson or Jimmy Neesham.
Both are left handers, with Neesham a slightly better bat and Anderson, a left-arm bowler, a bit more accomplished in the bowling ranks at this stage.
They probably both deserve to be in the side, but for team balance the selectors are preferring a specialist opener, giving Hamish Rutherford another chance in the Sri Lankan series and he didn’t let them down.
BJ Watling is a fine wicketkeeper-batsman now and their bowling attack is solid.
They have an excellent opening combination in left-armer Trent Boult and Tim Southee, with Doug Bracewell the third seamer, who like Rutherford has shown he is good enough at this level, but just neesd to be slightly more consistent to nail down his spot.
Their spinner Mark Craig is improving all the time. He may never be a match winner, but he performs his role and is a very handy lower order batsman as well, on the verge of being a bowling all-rounder. He did take four wickets in Wellington to help bowl his team to victory against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand have either beaten or drawn series with teams below or around them over the past 12 months but now for them to be a legitimate force in Test cricket they need to dispose of England and especially South Africa and Australia.
They come to Australia for a three-Test series next summer. The Trans Tasman rivals have never played more than three Tests against each other in a series. On form New Zealand deserve this to be a heavyweight bout of four or more Tests.
One thing is for sure, if the Black Caps win that series, all nations will be looking over their shoulders as this country keeps rising up the Test rankings.
Matt
Roar Rookie
We're not all convicts and most of us hate VB - our South Australian friends will be quick to remind you. Just like you guys all don't enjoy the company of sheep...
Jim
Guest
Mock our accents all you want, but you convicts will be crying into your VB post WC. Especially that tosser Ronan.
Bobbo7
Guest
You will note the first comment stated NZ had to win in Australia to be considered an above average team... Despite the last test being a win to NZ in Australia. The comments stream from that.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Dunc like I wrote recently I reckon the back to back series with NZ are going to be absolute crackers. NZ are an improving side too, with plenty of young players on the rise, whereas Australia still lean on veterans like Harris, Johnson, Clarke and Rogers, several of whom will/could be gone by the time Aus play NZ. The timing of the series will definitely favour NZ then. If they played right now I'd favour Aus slightly but in 12 months time NZ may well be the better side.
DMC
Guest
Haha, whereas of course you have the finest elocution. Oh the irony of Australians mocking our 'twang' ! Damn foos
Clavers
Guest
Oh my god ... I have a Kiwi housemate. The impending Test series with New Zealand raises the ugly prospect of ... ITHNUC TINSIONS FISTERING UN THE KUTCHEN!! :(
DMC
Guest
Fair enough Ronan, I read my fellow kiwi's comments and most of them left me cringing. I'm glad our match up is still a while away, our team isn't yet where it needs to be to take your lot down, but they way the team is improving come next summer they should be ready. Plenty of bowling depth and probably too soon, but I would love to see Milne in the test side - very much in the Shane Bond mold (broken body and all) and could be a series winner. Most importantly, another decent opener is essential, but don't think one will suddenly pop his head up anytime soon. Rest of the unit is very good. Even Craig the off spinner, looks innocuous but is delivering the goods. Dan, by my reckoning Craig has been a 'match winner' for 2 out of his 8 tests already (8 for in a test in the WI, and 10 for in the 3rd UAE test). Plus a four for in the 2nd innings against Sri Lanka a few days back... Can't wait for the tests later this year. Poms will be a nice entre before the Aussie main course.
Sylvester
Guest
Good one Ronan, First comment on this thread says?
killaku
Guest
Matt you have only got one bowler worth rating but the rest are overrated.Our bowlers especially Milne,Henry are young and inexperience and they are gonna scare the crap out of your batsmen once they get going and you will dread them on your fast pitches so you better hope to play them on slow pitches
Pope Paul vii
Guest
very droll Matt
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
The story is praising NZ, yet Kiwi fans come on here and instead of revelling in their team's great form decide to denigrate Australia? Change NZ to Dockers and Australia to Eagles and you could cut and paste these comments from the AFL season. Just enjoy your side's impressive rise Kiwi fans instead of worrying about how Australia are going.
Rob JM
Guest
I think all lovers of test cricket are looking forward to next years hopefully close series. NZ look to have a settled and competitive side while australia are transitioning. Will our old guys be over the hill or will the young guy be able to stand up? Nobody Knows!
Bobbo7
Guest
That's right. When they beat Australia in the last Test in Hobart they were not as good as they are now. Williamson is an absolute gun batsman - average creeping up to 46, 9 tons, 15 50s and he is still 24.
Matt
Roar Rookie
I'm not even a kiwi and I'm officially getting carried away. In my opinion the batting talent is so much better than the stats suggest, and those pitches of yours are a difficult proposition for subcontinent and Australian players who don't like moisture.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Did that rant get the ol' big chip off your shoulder? I do agree that Australia aren't as good as the rankings suggest, especially in the batting department, but our bowling stocks are far better than NZ. That's been the difference between Aus and India this summer - they are matching it with the bat but lack bowling discipline. NZ batting lineup is as solid as they come right now and they always produce handy seamers. We really should play each other more often than we do, Australia could definitely use the practise on green tops and NZ can play on flat but also fast decks for a change.
Matt
Roar Rookie
A much weaker NZ side drew 1-1 here last time. Give them some bowling pitches and we would be odds on to lose the series - luckily there aren't many bowlers' pitches left in Aus anymore.
Clark
Guest
Could not agree more. It was very amusing watch Australia get absolutely hammered in the UAE. Granted you won in South Africa, but this "win in Australia or you're nothing" has a smell of that mentality the Australian cricket fan has towards the subcontinent, just reeks of hypocrisy.
James
Guest
Its nice to finally see consistent form that have plagues us for years but I hate to get carried away with this. Lets beat the top 3 test teams in a series than we can start talking about a genuine force.
sam
Guest
They won the Last test in Aus, & how about you come & beat this team in Nz because apart from the win in SA, this Australian side has a horrible away record, yet they can be considered a great side without doing the business away?
sam
Guest
Your Australian side is so overrated it's not even funny. Only difference between a mediocre India side & this Australian side in Australia is mentality, otherwise the two teams have been pretty much even. I even rate England a better unit, on paper at least, they just fell apart & would of been trounced by any side away at the time. Your series win in SA impressed me, but then again, it's because the team is strong mentally and got under SA's skin (which was there for everyone to witness) & was similar to this Indian series I'm a Kiwi & I think our side still has a long way to go to be up there, but I can't wait until you get a reality check on how talented your side actually is, a lot of the leading players will retire within the nest 2, 3 years as well. Your embarrassment in Pakistan gave you a bit of a glimpse into the true talent of your side, when a team comes at australia with grit & belief, they get found out. Australia are just the bullies of world cricket atm and need to be taught a lesson in respect. I'm not.the only one who is singing this.tune either. The strong aussie sports mentality that usually inflicts all your sports teams is keeping this team near the top, otherwise they're a very average team with a couple of gun batsmen.