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Opinion

In a test of character, Williamson's New Zealand will not wane

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Roar Guru
30th December, 2019
22

As soon as the remnants of Christmas pudding were discarded on Wednesday evening to the moment Nathan Lyon clung on to a low-down catch in the shadows of the Members’ Stand on Sunday afternoon, there was one constant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It could be seen just as easily as it could be heard in Bay 22 of the Great Southern Stand.

Bathed in baking sunshine for every hour of the day, it played host to a swathe of travelling New Zealand supporters whose full-bodied support of their team never waned, despite a lacklustre performance from their Black Caps on the other side of the fence.

Much like the English Barmy Army, they sung and drank, and baked in the sun, and then drank some more. Their passion and support came to a head late on the final afternoon, when Tom Blundell – whose lone hand in the second innings helped the Kiwis beyond 200 for the first time in the series – reached his second Test century.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as Blundell was removed soon after, and with Trent Boult having been injured in the first innings, the Kiwis were all out, the Test match and the series lost. Chocolates to boiled lollies in a matter of minutes.

The vast stands of the MCG were nigh on empty during the post-match presentations, but those in Bay 22 remained fixed in position. Staying until the last, for longer and in greater number than their victorious Australian counterparts, the Kiwi fans’ fondness for their team extends beyond their performances on the pitch.

Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Tim Paine of Australia pose with the Trans-Tasman trophy

Kane Williamson was a picture of leadership after his Black Caps meekly surrendered this trophy to Tim Paine’s men. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

After the formalities, Kane Williamson led his side across the ground to greet them, take photos and sign autographs. After an utterly comprehensive and humiliating defeat, Williamson – who had scored only nine runs for the match and made the wrong decision at the toss and spent three days in the field watching his Australian opponents make runs seemingly at will – could have easily sulked away to the privacy of the underground dressing room, but instead had the grace and humility to go and thank those who had supported his team.

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That wasn’t all, however. Such is the respect that he commands both as a leader and a cricketer that the assembled crew in Bay 22 – who were particularly well lubricated by the late afternoon – fell silent so their country’s captain could address them.

“The support around this Test match has truly been special and the guys hugely appreciate it,” the skipper said. “Despite the result, the passion has been truly inspiring, and we want to thank you guys.”

His message was met with raucous applause and a palpable sense of affection and adoration.

Through his time at the top level, Williamson has earned the respect of the cricketing world, both as a player and a man.

Following the cruellest of World Cup final defeats in July, he said “well that’s just cricket, isn’t it?” and that “sometimes it’s almost out of your control.” His measured and controlled response, when he and his side could justifiably have been anything but, highlighted his strength of character.

These qualities of tact and respect so endear him to the cricketing public, and hint at why so many supporters remained in the face of colossal defeat. If you don’t believe that these are paramount requirements for those in cricketing leadership, remember the visceral response when they were absent in the Australian dressing room at Newlands in 2018.

Cameron Bancroft

(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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Having crossed the Tasman as the number two ranked side in the world, the New Zealanders have been subject to tyrannical dominance from their Australian hosts across the first two Tests. Despite this, the dignified poise and distinctly affable nature of Williamson and his side will continue to hold the New Zealanders in good stead.

While the overall results suggest an irreversible dropping of a collective bundle, there are signs that the Kiwis will be able to turn it around.

Take the Herculean efforts of the world’s number three ranked bowler, Neil Wagner. The left-armer continues to toil in the Australian heat, bowling prolonged spells of energy-sapping, short-pitched bowling – a ploy that has been the undoing of the impenetrable Steve Smith on all four occasions. Wagner has claimed 15 wickets across the first two Tests and has done almost all of his work with a cheeky smile on his face.

Take his battles with Australian middle-order attack dog Matthew Wade. Wagner has continued to pepper him with short balls, many of which Wade has worn on the body. In an interview in Melbourne, Wade recalled a moment before the anthems when the pair shared a smile, and the batsman quipped that the pair would “go at it again.” Along with Wagner, Blundell’s hard-earned century and Latham’s gritty, steadfast resolve in the first innings hinted at the Kiwis’ refusal to roll over.

Anything but a victory in Sydney will see New-Zealand lose the number two Test ranking to Australia, but it will not be this or any other kind of extrinsic motivation that will drive Williamson and his team to perform better in the first Test of the new decade. Instead, it will come from their collective unity, passion and an indelible sense of togetherness.

It won’t take a multi-million-dollar cultural review, it won’t call for the turnover of administration or the appointment of any kind of panel. New-Zealand has the strength of culture to see them through difficult times on the field.

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Just ask those in Bay 22.

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