Published: May 21, 2015, 09:10 AM (IST)
Edited: May 20, 2015, 10:10 PM (IST)
New Zealand’s tour to England is short in size, but its importance cannot be overstated. This two-Test series bears immense value for both sides. Course of proceeding for both teams in recent times indicate New Zealand has an extremely good chance at making history. Rishad D’Souza delves into the topic. READ: England vs New Zealand, 1st Test at Lord’s: Preview
New Zealand‘s tour of England scheduled to commence at Lord’s on May 21 is of immense importance. Moreover, given the overload of Ashes Tests we have had in the last couple of years, the series will possibly be the most exciting series this English summer; an Ashes summer mind you. READ: New Zealand’s best chance to beat England
In all fairness, it has not been such a long time since the previous New Zealand tour of England either. However, besides the fact that their series lasted just two Tests as opposed to the standard five Tests in the Ashes, what makes the upcoming series an interesting prospect is the tremendous developments that have transpired in both sides ever since.
During the previous tour in 2013, the New Zealand side were at the foot of an upward curve. They had shown signs of improvement, but were not quite there as a team. Whereas England had already peaked, after which they have rolled down it at an alarming rate. READ: Brendon McCullum praises IPL, but requests to protect Test cricket
That been said, playing England at home in a Test series is never short of challenge. In their 3-1 battering of India in 2014, they made it abundantly clear that even at their lowest they possess enough passion and technique to win Tests at home. England have a bowling attack that is well equipped to cash in on the oft-overcast conditions at home.
However, New Zealand have to punch above their belts and play their hearts out to prove that their construction as a team is truly complete. They have had many unprecedented highs over the past couple of years. In fact, after that tour to England they have not lost a single series. Their spoils include home series wins against India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, an away win against the West Indies and a 1-1 tie in an away series against Pakistan.
Besides their spoils in the longest format, they have shone bright in the limited-overs sphere too. In the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, they lost just a single match — the final. Obviously, the Kiwis are incredibly high on the confidence meter and they will be aware that this is their best shot at winning an elusive Test series in England.
New Zealand’s team composition is admirable. In Tim Southee and Trent Boult they have a new-ball bowling attack that has been likened to the venomous Dale Steyn-Vernon Philander pair. Brendon McCullum has had a brilliant time as Test opener; his exploits including a triple ton against India apart from a couple of double hundreds and a match-winning 195 against Pakistan in UAE.
He has found the platform to express himself to the truest at top of the order. As it usually happens in cricket teams, when the captain raises his game, even the team is buoyed; New Zealand are no exception. Kane Williamson, BJ Watling and Tom Latham have developed into fine batsmen under McCullum’s watch.
Apart from the new-ball duo of Boult and Southee, the other New Zealand bowlers have not lagged behind either. Mark Craig has taken care of the spin department rather impressively. In the away West Indies series, he repeatedly chipped in with crucial wickets. Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell and more recently Ben Wheeler have all shown an amazing appetite for wickets, which poses a problem of plenty for New Zealand.
New Zealand have all their bases covered and will go into the series bursting at the seams with confidence. They have their sights trained on a side crippled by constant controversy and lack of form. There is no reason to believe that New Zealand will not finally bag an elusive Test series win in England.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)
