Amongst New Zealand’s World Test Championship Final win in Southampton overnight, it was two more minor moments that underlined how captain Kane Williamson has led his side to the ultimate success.
There’s scarcely been a more deserving skipper to hoist a sporting trophy aloft, and Williamson’s poise both in the field and with the bat on Day 6 was critical.
The first of these moments was as India chased quick lower-order runs in a bid to set New Zealand a tricky total on an even tricker pitch.
Mohammed Shami was throwing the bat around as he does, and had struck three boundaries in seven balls. Thirty extra runs on the board might have completely changed the complexion of the match, and Williamson knew it.
So, as Shami was flaying them, what did captain Kane do?
Shifted a man into fly slip, that brilliantly absurd fielding position. Sure enough, the very next ball fell right into that man’s lap. India were bowled out later that over, setting a total just in reach for the Black Caps.
It was a crucial juncture in the match, and a moment we’ve seen other captains (Tim Paine and Joe Root, for example) struggle in.
The second moment of Williamson’s poise was with bat in hand.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah was asking the toughest questions of both he and Ross Taylor, with each probing delivery as the shadows lengthened in Southampton.
A length delivery to Taylor had seriously misbehaved, spitting up two feet higher than his blade, and crashed into his helmet.
It was an all-too-ominous sign, as if anyone needed it, that the pitch wasn’t playing particularly easily. It was also the sort of ball that would’ve sent the heart-rate of Henry Nicholls at number five skyrocketing.
But, soon after, Williamson instilled a sense of calm, as he always does.
Still charging in, Bumrah was driven on the up through the covers by Williamson, with perhaps the shot of the Test match considering the circumstances.
It sent New Zealand closer to victory, but was worth more than the four runs on the scoreboard. It underlined to a nervous Black Caps dressing room that they were in good hands, despite seamer Tim Southee’s declaration it was the “longest 139 runs I’ve ever experienced”.
Taylor later spoke of his nerves when walking to the crease at 2-44.
“It wasn’t easy to start,” he conceded. “But Kane just kept reiterating that it’s going to get easier.”
(Photo by Nathan Stirk-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Williamson’s worth is usually easily to measure — in runs. His combined 49 and 52 not-out here, for example, was considerably more than any other player on the ground.
He will finish his career as the highest ever New Zealand runscorer by the length of the Flemington straight. But his worth is so much more than that.
It’s the aforementioned fielding moves, which included an ingenious short leg/square leg/deep square conga line for Neil Wagner.
It’s the ability to soak up pressure knowing things will improve, the calming personality where his demeanour stays stable irrespective of the match state.
It’s the clear respect he has from anyone who pulls on the whites for New Zealand.
As much as the victory has been hailed ‘poetic justice’ for the Black Caps or good karma for previous deeds, all that is rubbish.
Sport doesn’t care you’ve come close before or are good blokes, and the cricket gods don’t exist. You simply have to front up, again and again, until you win — and that’s exactly what the Black Caps have done.
Defeat in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups hasn’t deterred them, and it’s that resilience that makes them universally admired among cricket watchers.
(Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
In the end it was a fairly swift victory in Southampton, inside three-and-a-half days of (actual) action.
BJ Watling got the ultimate sendoff, while for veterans like Taylor and Neil Wagner it’s perhaps a moment that won’t be bettered. For this is truly a golden age of New Zealand cricket.
The addition of Kyle Jamieson (player of the match) and Devon Conway to this already strong Black Caps side has turned a good side into a great one, perhaps their best ever.
For India, introspection will follow but the truth is they were far from poor. Their seamers, in particular, were superb but, in the end, had too few runs to work with.
The eight-wicket loss appears damning but the truth is there were fine margins in the match given the conditions.
Another 40 second-innings runs might have set up a grandstand finish.
While New Zealand rightfully gain the plaudits, it’s Virat Kohli’s team who’ve undoubtedly been the world’s best side over the last two years.
A win in the upcoming series in England, to complement the recent series victory in Australia, would further underline this.
And finally, interest around the World Test Championship Final in the last week has shown it is here to stay.
The first iteration of the championship was highly compromised and riddled with issues mostly due to the pandemic.
But it appears to have endorsement from key stakeholders — not least the players — and if done right, will be a shot in the arm for the game’s traditional format.
As long as it's not a Super Over
Micko
Roar Rookie
Hey, we’re pretty rubbish too Zozza. Could be a bowl-off. :stoked: :unhappy:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Those three countries bring in virtually all the money though, and are subsidising the smaller nations (like NZ) already. If you really want that situation then you’ve got to be prepared for NZ players to take a large paycut, as NZC won’t get the same amount of ICC handouts anymore.
Not me. Rubbish England ensure it will be a non contest by the day 3 of Test 3
It's pretty simple, if you are the World Test Champion, the ICC should subsidise your Test series so that you are offered and can offer 3,4,5 test series. Either ICC just wants to worry about 3 countries when it comes to Test Cricket, and play them all the time (how boring, especially when how awful England are) or they want to rightfully spread Test Cricket around like it used to be in it's heyday when 3 test series were a minimum.
Bing
Guest
They are untouchable Micko, always preaching that they are the humble good guys. Their social and mainstream media show the real picture. The number of expats that come to Australia enjoying our lifestyle and privileges and don’t become citizens expecting to live here as if Australia is a part of NZ is staggering.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Any aussie could've seen it was a dumb prediction beforehand, with all the circumstances heavily favouring NZ. I'm starting to suspect Tim isn't very bright, and his numerous critics on here since the 2019 Ashes series might be right.
Basil Baborgnay
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure what your point is? Test cricket is a complex and sometimes inexplicable game for sure. But if we look at recent (and not so recent) history, Ind have performed well below par in both NZ and Eng, despite at the time often being ranked 1 or 2 in the world. This is just a fact. They have also been nigh on invincible at home (as has NZ). It is then no coincidence that there 2 teams would be the ones to make the final. Clearly then to play a final in Eng conditions, which are the closest to NZ conditions than any other nation, is a huge advantage to NZ. What part of that do you not understand? It seems very basic to me.
Fox
Roar Guru
So Bazil India weren’t outplayed – it was really just the conditions right? Nothing whatsoever to do with NZ’s better batting and bowling performances? Oh that’s right that was only because of the conditions and nothing else right? And yes Sri Lanka would be an advantage though the last time NZ played there in WTC test series they drew the series and in one innings scored 461 for 6 declared on a turning wicket and won by an innings and 21 runs and they beat Pakistan in the UAE – and before you say it’s only Pakistan – well this is something Australia failed to do last time they toured there. But yes sure India with Ashwin especially, would have a decided edge but I think in India is where you get the rank turners on day one but obviously it has to be on neutral ground. The ball can swing in Sri Lanka – as Sangakkara pointed out in commentary when they were talking about Sri lanka as a possible venue for the WTC. Usually, according to him, when you get humid, plus overcast conditions early on with the new ball. So it wouldn’t be quite the same advantage as playing in India I don’t think – well obviously! Bangladesh – yes sure. And agreed Sharma and Gill looked pretty good in 1st innings. Kohli as well I thought.
Fox
Roar Guru
Some of the Indian players play or have played county cricket so that is more time in English conditions than Australia Micko – Ravichandran Ashwin signed for Worcestershire in the year 2017 – Pujara represented Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire – Virat Kohli for Surrey etc and this is not the 1st time they have toured England in recent times so it is hardly shock horror conditions – not to mention they have played in NZ conditions recently as well – and the pace attack wouldn’t have complained that is for sure. One of the key differences and highlighted by every commentator, especially by Kumar Sangakkara and Gavaskar, was the stronger NZ tail end batting – NZ 8-9-10-11 contributed 85 runs in the 1st innings and NZ does bat deep as Gavaskar said. Jadeja ( the most proven record of all 8 ) Av. 34.4 – Shami Av 11.2 – Sharma Av 8.2 and Bumrah Av 2.3 – NZ Jameson Av 42.3 ( former opening batsman), Southee Av 17.3 – Wagner 13.9 – Boult 15.6 . Kohli admitted in the post match that India must find a genuine batting all rounder pace bowler. This was the issue that forced them to play two spinning all rounders in their side as their tail at 9,10,11 is not strong in the batting nor consistent enough. I do agree with you though Micko that it does seem to be India’s modern Achilles heel. The test series against England may be good for their batting line up or it may be a disaster despite England’s current woes.
Basil Baborgnay
Roar Rookie
I don't think any batter looked entirely comfortable in the conditions. Williamson did well, but he was up against an attack less attuned to the conditions compared to the Indian batters. Actually I thought Gill and Sharma looked good also, until they got out. I suspect a sign of lack of match prep. Conway looked good in the first innings. I wouldn't read too much into Tendulkar's comments, it's usual to praise the best player in the winning side. Your mention of the recent Indian performances in Aus conditions actually proves my point. They clearly have difficulty adapting to Eng conditions, batting especially. I'm amused that you are actually attempting to argue that the venue played no part in the result. Clearly it did. Just as if the venue were in Sri Lanka or Bangladesh (leaving out Pak for obvious political reasons!) it would have favoured the Indian side.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Ponting was never a natural #3 but a dashing middle order batsman that just ended up there. A #3 batsman should be a good defensive batsman, able to be an opener too, which Williamson could be, what Marnus could be, but what Ponting never could be. Conway is clearly a top three batsman for mine as he is solid like Williamson. Ross Taylor is clearly a middle order player too, as he’s an aggressive stroke player, but not the best defensively.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Australia is hardly unfamiliar conditions to India now. And Australia's bouncier but flatter wickets are clearly nowhere as hard for the Indians to adjust to as the swing and seam of England & NZ, which is clearly India's modern achilles heel.
Lara
Guest
With Young coming onto the scene, the top 4 has a multitude of options once Taylor decides to retire. Personally, l like Conway to open, he is a lovely stroke maker, scores easily without taking to many risk. If, one of the openers goes early, Young is the man . Love to have Kane come in at 4 , which is a luxury which NZ has never had before. This top 4 can blunt an attack n still score runs…..looking good for the future. The beauty of this first 4 can interchange in the second innings especially when they are chasing totals or saving a game .
Fox
Roar Guru
And yet India just defeated Australia in unfamiliar condition and without Kholi and a couple of other key players at the back end so I don’t buy you argument. The two biggest differences were the class of Kane Williamson and the rising bowling freak that is Kyle Jameson – and add Devon Conway in there as well maybe. If you had listened to what Tendulkar said about Williamson after the win you might actually agree unless of course you know more than him about batting. One thing he said – as well as others – is that Williamson was the only batsman on both sides who looked comfortable in the conditions and his calmness at the crease is unmatched in the world game right now.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
How did Williamson know Shami would continue to throw the bat if he put a fly slip in. This suggests there might have been a deal between the two captains. If there was a deal that India would be looking to set a target then maybe Williamsons best move of the match was that deal and Kohli got suckered in. What was in it for Kohli to get his team to throw the bat when victory was remote versus trying to bat for a draw as the only sensible option. The only possibility I can see is Williamson said his team would continue to chase whatever target was set no matter how many wickets they lost. In that case if India had not kept losing wickets then instead of a late throw of the dice they could have a big dash with more wickets in hand and set a target of about 200-220 over 50 overs and had a good chance of victory.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’ve thought about this a lot. Here in the UK, where the game was played, coverage was secondary to a truly crap T20 series between England and SL. We, in Australia, have nothing to apologise about - nobody bar India and NZ cared about this match
Basil Baborgnay
Roar Rookie
that's just plain rubbish. Last time Indians toured Eng they lost the test series 1-4, the series before that in Eng it was 0-4 I think. A typical Eng pitch was always going to be a huge advantage to NZ as it is far more similar to typical NZ conditions than Indian. Added to that the warm up series and the advantage is huge. The fact that Indian seamers were difficult to play in the conditions is hardly a surprise, any half decent bowler would be.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
JN I’m sure american football and basketball have similar heinous stats. About 20 years ago, I heard that Bradman averaging 99 runs per innings was the statistical equivalent of if Michael Jordan had averaged 59 points per game. Whether anyone agrees with this comparative analysis across different games is another matter and I know bugger all about basketball, but somebody did say it.
Fox
Roar Guru
Actually the pitch didn't give NZ a real advantage at all as we saw when India bowled in the first innings. Winning the toss helped NZ but that could have gone either way and India not picking a fourth seamer which was clearly a mistake and it didn't help India that their no1 strike bowler was poor in the first innings. Yes the warm up games helped NZ sure.