New Zealand’s monstrous victory over England in the first Test on Monday has again underlined what a serious threat they pose to Australia in the upcoming three-Test series.
The Kiwis were merciless, keeping thir opponents in the field for 201 consecutive overs as they declared for 9-615, before skittling the tourists to win by an innings and 65 runs.
This continued a recent habit of smashing their Test opponents – in their last 14 Tests the Black Caps have recorded seven innings victories.
In this two-year period, they’ve had two innings victories over England, two against Bangladesh, and one versus each of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
They have been particularly brutal against the Poms. Last year, the Kiwis humiliated them in Auckland, bowling England out for 58 on Day 1, before going on to win by an innings and 49 runs.
This week’s win was similarly demoralising, as New Zealand proved vastly superior with both bat and ball. England’s bowlers were exposed, yet again, as being heavily reliant on home conditions and the helpful Dukes ball.
The New Zealand attack, meanwhile, did a terrific job by keeping England to a sub-par total of 353 in the first innings before rolling them for just 197 on the final day.
England’s opening bowlers, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer, were hyped as a major threat. Instead they flopped, combining to take just 1-171.
At 5-197 the home side were under pressure before the Test was turned on its head by wicketkeeper BJ Watling (205), all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme (65) and spinner Mitchell Santner (126).
From that point the home side made 1-380, as those three cricketers batted brilliantly.
(AP, Jon Super)
Watling and de Grandhomme confirmed why they are both vastly underappreciated Test cricketers, at least outside of their home country.
Santner, meanwhile, finally exploited the batting talent he showed on Test debut in Adelaide four years ago, when he made 45 and 31 on a seaming deck under lights.
Even before his incredible double ton in this Test, Watling would have been my pick as the wicketkeeper in a World XI. First and foremost, he is a fine gloveman who excels standing back for the quicks and is neat to the spinners. With the blade, meanwhile, he has a knack for making important runs.
Like Australian champion Steve Smith, Watling seems to thrive on adversity. Tough batting circumstances often bring the best out of him.
Now Watling has discovered rich form just before his side ventures to Australia to try to win their first series here in 34 years.
In his last three Test knocks, he has made 205, 105* and 77. With a Test batting average of 41 and eight tons to his name, Watling offers a clear advantage over Australia, whose wicketkeeper, Tim Paine, averages 31 with the blade and has never scored a Test century.
The Kiwi gloveman gives New Zealand an insurance policy in their middle order. He has the patience, composure and tight technique of a top-order batsman. As a result, Watling is very hard to dislodge, facing 94 balls per dismissal on average in his Test career. That is a higher figure than any of the current Australian batsmen, bar Steve Smith (114 balls per dismissal).
Because Watling is such a rock at six in the order, it allows number seven de Grandhomme the freedom to embrace his naturally aggressive game.
This is the other clear edge the Kiwis have over the Aussies – the presence of a genuine all-rounder. Rather than being a bits-and-pieces player, this burly 33-year-old justifies his selection as a batsman, averaging 40 in his 19 Tests. A savage striker of the ball, de Grandhomme plays in a style similar to Adam Gilchrist. From his first delivery faced, if the ball is there to be hit, he throws his hands at it.
What makes de Grandhomme so crucial to the balance of the New Zealand side is that he’s also an elite fifth bowler. His record would be good even for a specialist quick – 38 wickets at 29, with a remarkably frugal economy rate of 2.43 runs per over.
To put that into perspective, compare it to some of the world’s most accurate bowlers – Vernon Philander (2.66rpo), Josh Hazlewood (2.77) and James Anderson (2.87).
De Grandhomme’s rare ability to bowl dot ball after dot ball as the fifth bowler gives Kane Williamson great flexibility. It lets the skipper use strike bowlers Trent Boult and Neil Wagner in short, attacking bursts.
De Grandhomme also adds to the variety of the pace attack. This week, the hosts fielded four quicks with distinct styles – the nagging medium pace of de Grandhomme, the right-arm swing of Tim Southee, the left-arm swing of Boult, and the left-arm, short-ball-focused approach of Wagner.
Such variety is key to be effective in Australia.
The Kiwis also have, in reserve, an express quick in Lockie Ferguson. Their pace stocks are impressive and their batting line-up is solid from one through seven.
But amid all this talent, Watling and de Grandhomme offer the most crucial points of difference in the upcoming Tests in Australia.
anon
Roar Pro
I said we'd smash them and that's what we did.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
As an Australian myself, I can fully appreciate the anxiety and sensitivity recidivists can be exposed to as a daily treat when mocking one another in the name of innocent fun. I however think you may have quite seriously missed the point. And it was no better exemplified than today with Australia 589 for what? And Pakistan losing their sixth wicket on just 89 runs? And we call this Test Cricket? If we continue to play cricket every couple of years against England at the expense of other nations then we will continue to have dwindling crowd attendances turning up to non-events. Now, about Mick Jagger letting down the good name of Ned Kelly. . . .
Micko
Roar Rookie
And if juvenile lines like "sheep shagger" etc bother you, you need to get a thicker skin. As an Aussie, how often do you think we hear lines like "convict"? Everyone mocks other people, it's a part of social interactions.
Micko
Roar Rookie
With that chip on your shoulder you wonder why you guys don't get invited for the Boxing Day & New Year's Tests more often? We get endless moaning and references to ancient events like the underarm ball despite only one aussie ever supporting it, and even he regrets it now. And now kiwis harping on about the sandpaper ball tampering scandal more than anyone else, where you never hear a peep out of kiwis after every other ball tampering scandal. And "juvenile claptrap"? Kiwi crowds are renowned for being absolutely feral and vicious towards aussies every chance they get with no subtlety, humour or good natured banter that aussie fans have with the Barmy Army and other English fans. Aussie sports teams and spectators say there's nothing like kiwi sports fans for juvenile attitudes and vitriol!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Really I though most kiwis were further south?
Melvin Pukely
Guest
Onya Brian, keep that one eye and the massive chip on your shoulder in place ! Oh by the way, you failed to win the Rugby World Cup.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Bring back Wright and Edgar to open the batting!
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Wasn't there some bloke called Neesham that used to play for NZ sometime back?
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Agree. Playing NZ in a Boxing Test at the MCG is mere tokenism. Like I’ve said on many an occasion, unlike Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and to a certain extent South Africa, NZ ers can afford to buy cricket bats, leather cased cricket balls and all the top gear associated with the top tier nations, India, England and Australia but as for playing in the mire of the wild, wet, windy Wellington weather or the drizzle and darkness of Dunedin or the shaky shifty sites around Christchurch, NZ lacks consistency. It’ll be another decade before NZ ever gets an invitation to return to the MCG with the aussie crowd dishing out their sheep shagging infantile and less than subtle clap-trap. Next to the Olympic Games, Soccer World Cup, American Grid Iron, the Rugby World Cup, cricket is the most viewed sport in the world if it wasn’t for the fact the sub-continent of India bolsters ratings. So in the scheme of things does Australia give two hoots as to what has happened to Plunket Shield cricket? Judging by the free to air news – not a continental!
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Incredible. No test match at the Gabba. And this is the state in which most Kiwis work and reside.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
De Grandhomme not playing second test.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
NZ justify their #2 Test ranking. Their batting is settled. Williamson [3], Latham [8], Nicholls [6] rank in the ICC top 10 Test bats. Cummins [6 ranked ICC Test allrounder] and Starc[7] combined make an aggregate all-rounder. Curiously Santner is not yet in the top ten on this list although De Grandhomme [8] and Southee [10] are. The Black Caps would appear favourites despite Australia's home advantage.
Paul
Roar Guru
Yep, this playing Test cricket away from home has suddenly got a whole lot harder in the past decade or so. You make an excellent point about mental states, for both teams really. In Australia's case, much depends on how they go in this Test. It's safe to say they're odds on favourites to win, but they need to win like champs as well and not have any batting failures ( well, maybe Smith!). The Black Caps as you rightly point out, have to embrace being the 2nd best Test side, use the skilled players they've got and really stick it to the Aussies. If they bring a waivering attitude across the ditch, this could be a long summer. I certainly hope not because I want to see a close series between two pretty evenly matched teams.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
De Grandhomme has injury cloud over him. Yep Watling damn good player. It’s very interesting lead up to this series. Last couple of times leading into playing the kiwis a fairly heavy expectation that the kiwis are playing well and will provide Australia a tough test to only then be comprehensively beaten. I wonder whether that be different this time around?
I'd play both Ferguson and Henry and drop Southee.
@Paul . Fair comment, but Australia too have been spanked away from home in the last few years, apart from the recent Ashes series. The only worry for me is the mental state. "Aw jeez, we are playing a big series in Australia, against Australia. The old foe, our biggest enemy blah blah blah"... If that pressure gets to them, then advantage Australia in a big way. However, there are quite a few old heads in this NZ team with a couple of tours of Australia under their belt. I don't think they will be daunted - but, who the hell knows.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
Neither (not one) *is* Kane Williamson
Steele
Roar Rookie
They do have a better gloveman but I predict de Grandhomme and Southee will be cannon fodder on our pitches. Our bowling line up is far better and will be the difference me thinks! Our batting line up is improving with not much difference between the two sides when you take into account home ground advantage and Smith and Warner’s brilliance. Marnus and Wade are in form and Burns is probably our second best opener. Head is the only one I’m not sure will make it long term but he has performed well so far. Most settled team in a long time.
PB
Guest
Haha, fair enough!
HR
Roar Rookie
2015/16. As it happens, it was against NZ.