Back in January 2, 2013, New Zealand were bowled out for 45 in the first innings of the Cape Town Test match against South Africa. Now, they are a dominant force in the cricketing world.
The rise of New Zealand cricket over the last two years has been nothing but exceptional. From an all time low back in Cape Town, to sending fear into cricketing nations around the world.
There are many reasons why New Zealand are the side they are today, but the obvious reason is the captaincy of Brendon McCullum. The positive brand of cricket he has been able to bring to this side has completely transformed them into a powerhouse.
Not only is he bringing a positive feeling to their play, he is leading by example with his run-scoring and his self-belief. When ever you watch McCullum you see a man who believes anything can be done regardless of how difficult the task is. This seems to have had a positive influence on the players around him.
Ever since Brendon McCullum has taken over Ross Taylor’s job, the likes of Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Trent Boult have all taken their game up another level. It simply just shows how much influence a captain can have on an individual simply by the way they go about their business.
This certainly isn’t suggesting Ross Taylor was a poor captain, it just simply said New Zealand cricket needed a different approach in the type of cricket they wanted to play.
With Brendon McCullum bringing an exciting and positive style of cricket, this has appealed to many other players in the side. McCullum has been fortunate that he has a team that want to learn and succeed at the highest level.
The improvement in key players has been another reason why this side are where they are today. Kane Williamson seems to have taken his batting to another level. Trent Boult and Tim Southee seem to have found a partnership which looks unstoppable on any given day.
I saw Martin Guptill’s World Cup record of 237 against the West Indies the other day in the quarter final. I feel the way McCullum plays reflected on Guptill that day. He played as positively as McCullum and with as much flair.
Guptill’s innings summed up everything about McCullum’s vision for this New Zealand side. As a viewer how can you not be excited about where this New Zealand side are going?
There seems to be a good variety of youth and experience within the side which is the recipe to success in the modern game.
New players are being drafted into the side regularly which will leave New Zealand cricket in a better place in the future. It’s cricual to have depth and there are many players who have serious talent who aren’t in the current World Cup XI.
The obvious one is the new spinner Ish Sodhi who has the potential to become a star of New Zealand cricket. Also the likes of Mark Craig, Neil Wegner, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tom Latham and Doug Bracewell are players New Zealand have as options if someone was not available.
From a team who couldn’t even get 50 as a side against South Africa back in that first innings during the Cape Town Test match, to a side who have overcome the same bowling attack in the World Cup semi-finals, the other cricketing nations now have a reason to fear this New Zealand side.
The most intimidating part is the fact there is so much improvement available and that’s what will excite Brendon McCullum the most.
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