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 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.
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.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
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.
Just ask those in Bay 22.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Latham was dropped on 9, where Smith unnecessarily went for it from second slip, spoiling a relatively simple catch for Burns at first slip, and apparently Blundell would've been out for a duck (?) if the aussies reviewed.
Micko
Roar Rookie
No John, they're essentially copying the barmy army at the MCG because they're excited they got an invite back, and came in their droves (16,000 kiwis flew over for the Boxing Day Test!) so it's a special occasion for them They're pretty quiet in NZ, and ironically the only kiwi location that could hold a test with ground capacity at over 16,000 capacity (Auckland) was cancelled in the last trans-Tasman test series in NZ, because the kiwis weren't confident of pulling a crowd in Auckland, and organised a 3 match ODI series instead!
John
Guest
Quick question do the NZ supporters sing and chant at NZ home games? I've watched some of their tests on TV and don't recall ever seeing or hearing them before.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It’s true. Losing as nice blokes is commendable but they’ve been thrashed twice with no change of thinking and only one bowler really implementing a strategy. If they pick Santner again and lose in Sydney they’ll have come to Australia as World No. 2 and leave as as bad a tourist as any in my memory. Pakistan like
Micko
Roar Rookie
If they drop Southee and Santner and play the spinners they might be competitive.
anon
Roar Pro
They are the goody two shoes of world sport
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yes Dave, it was pretty lazy. They were essentially the barmy army 2.0: just copying all their stupid chants.
Melman
Roar Rookie
Spot on; while New-Zealand have struggled, Williamson has what it takes to lead them on from here. They've also got world class players who have proven themselves in recent times.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Losing Lachie Ferguson early wouldn't have helped in Perth Paul. But amazingly the Aussies lost Hazlewood as well so that cancels that out. Not having Boult in Perth would have hurt as well but he wasn't his usual threatening self in Melbourne. Not sure why. Wagner has been the only bowler to threaten and challenge the Aussies this series. The rest have been relatively meek and mild. In contrast all the Aussie bowlers have contributed big time. They look hungry for wickets. The Kiwis look as though they are trying to contain the Aussie batsmen - not get them out. But hear what you are saying about Santner - he's been an absolute passenger. In contrast Lyon offers an attacking and containment weapon. Massive advantage to Australia. And the key NZ batsmen - Williamson and Taylor in particular - just haven't contributed. I'm just not convinced by Williamson as a captain - he is far too quiet and withdrawn in the field - you hardly hear a peep out of him - same goes for the wicket keeper Wattling. You want your captain and wicket keeper to be upbeat and proactive trying to make things happen out there. It hasn't looked like this in either test. Hopefully the Sydney test is more competitive but really the contest is already over and unfortunately it really wasn't much of one.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
They have completely rolled over. Their highest total in 4 attempts is 240. The excuses are embarrassing.
Paul
Roar Guru
The approach Williamson took got the Black Caps to second on the ICC rankings Geoff. I'm not defending his tactics in Australia, but as I've said more than once in the past week, his bowlers did him no favours by sticking to what worked in New Zealand and not taking a leaf from the Aussies and bowling more full and constantly asking the batsmen to play. If they're not going to bowl to get guys out, what's the point of having attacking fields? I also have issues with Williamson being derided as a captain. He effectively had 3 bowlers, thanks to the rocket scientists who chose this squad 2 months before the tour. He had to play Santner who was next to useless and had to manufacture an opener from a middle order batsman who was averaging under 40 in FC cricket and had previously played exactly 2 Tests. He's out of form and out of luck and the others have had at least one good innings and/or got an absolute peach to get them out, eg Watling They copped the worst of the weather in Perth, lost a strike bowler in that Test and was on a hiding to nothing when the Black Caps bowled in the Aussie second innings. I'd love to know what these gurus who rubbished him, would have done given all those circumstances?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Jeez - you are an easy marker Paul. As I've said elsewhere - apart from Wagner, Blundell and Latham in the first innings the rest of them either played negatively or completely lost the plot. Have a look at some of the reaction of ex Kiwi players - they were scathing of Kane Williamson's captaincy and the generally negative approach they took in the match.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't agree at all they've rolled over Geoff. I saw us do that numerous times against the Windies, saw the Poms do it more than once starting in '74/5, but this side hasn't given up trying. You only have to look at the efforts of Wagner & Blundell in the last test to see that.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
A great act by Williamson. I also loved his reaction when he got told he was player of the World Cup. So humble. Hopefully he is able to score some runs in Sydney. That’s a key component for NZ if we are to get a win. I haven’t been sold on some of his captaincy lately. There was also a patch against England last month where he let Jos Buttler and Jack Leach off the hook by having most of the field back.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Thanks, Paul. Appreciate it. Agree that they’ve got a strong side and hope to see an improved performance in Sydney!
Tanmoy Kar
Roar Rookie
There is very little indication that the Kiwis will come back strongly in the 3rd. Test at Sydney, in addition to that Boult got himself injured. Though I wish New Zealanders do well in the Final Test.
Neville M
Guest
You are 100% correct Geoff. NZ are out of their depth and so is Kane Williamson. He may be a good bat and a nice guy but that won't help them win. Poor captaincy and a team looking at each other to do something, with no one wanting to take the game or opposition on. Nothings improved for them since MacCallum charged Starc's fifth ball of the WC final in 2015.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Kane Williamson might be a nice bloke but his tactics in the field were incredibly defensive and negative. A very small percentage of the Kiwi bowler deliveries were actually aimed at the stumps. Its almost as though the Kiwis were trying to bore the Aussies out rather than get them out with wicket taking deliveries. And that must have been a tactic thought out by the captain and coaching staff. Southee and de Grandhomme continued to bowl ball after ball tailing away just outside off stump hoping the Aussie batsmen would lose patience and nick one. Wagner simply peppered the batters with short balls again hoping they would make a decision making mistake. To his credit Wagner mixed it up with yorkers and slower balls. And most of the Kiwi batsmen were simply appalling - particularly their more experienced batters who just gave their wickets away. The Kiwi crowd had a great time at the MCG and good on them - but lets not kid ourselves - most of the Kiwi batsmen (apart from Blundell and Latham) and bowlers (apart from Wagner) raised the white flag and surrendered meekly. I enjoy an Aussie win as much as anyone but I'm frankly disappointed it wasn't more of a contest against a side farcically ranked second in the world
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
They've already rolled over Paul - you can't get many more comprehensive defeats than the last two tests.
Paul
Roar Guru
This is an excellent piece Andrew. Williamson's acknowledgement of the support the team received was really well done and I completely agree, Australia can't assume when they get to Sydney, the Black Caps are going to roll over. There are simply too many quality cricketers in the Kiwi lineup for them not to do something really positive, before this series ends.