Published: Jan 08, 2015, 07:07 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 08, 2015, 07:07 AM (IST)
New Zealand whitewashed the Sri Lankans in the two-match Test series. They sealed the second match at Basin Reserve in dramatic fashion after being bowled out for 221 and conceding a 135-run first innings lead. A few years back one would not even put have money on New Zealand to save the game, let alone winning. Rishad D’Souza looks into a New Zealand side that has made a fabulous transformation in the longest format.
The second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Basin Reserve was a seesaw battle, but the hosts finally emerged on top. The fightback was reminiscent of the encounter against India at the same venue last season when Brendon McCullum entered his in the record books with a resilient 302, saving the Test in the process. This time around, New Zealand procured a result for the efforts, winning the Test with Kane Williamson amassing a career-best 242 not out.
BJ Watling played the supporting role in both scripts: he had scored 124 against India, and followed it with 142 not out against Sri Lanka; after being bowled out for a paltry 221 on a green-top, New Zealand conceded 356 runs to the visitors.
Sri Lanka were reeling at one stage at 78 for five, but Kumar Sangakkara came to the rescue with a marvellous 203. After conceding the 135-run first innings lead, New Zealand came back strongly, eventually declaring at 524 for five after adding an unbroken 365 for the sixth stand. They then bowled out Sri Lanka for 196 with Mark Craig claiming four wickets taking the hosts to victory on Day Five.
Under McCullum, New Zealand have surged to new heights in not just the limited-overs formats but also in Tests. Amazing cricketers like Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and the man himself have given the supporters a lot to cheer about after being overlooked for years in the longest format.
It is common knowledge that New Zealand have never been a strong Test side since the glory days of Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe (it was not that they were a champion side even when they were active). Though Stephen Fleming is often rated as one of the greatest New Zealand captains, his side never had the fire to dominate cricket consistently despite being studded with Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Daniel Vettori and sporadic appearances of the injury-prone Shane Bond.
Arguably, the individual abilities of players in that side matched, if not exceeded, the present New Zealand team. What, then, has propelled New Zealand into a side that wins Tests with impressive frequency, both home and away?
It may have to do with McCullum, who has brought a new brand of aggressive leadership to the mix. He has gelled well with coach Mike Hesson and has managed to induce a winning culture into the team. When one watches New Zealand play, it is quite evident that they are enjoying their game. They are a settled team always willing to get each other’s backs, performing their roles in perfect harmony just like a well-managed orchestra. Maybe the team is fuelled by the angst of being perpetually labelled the underdogs, the dark horses of cricket.
The balance the side has attained is enviable. The openers are the only real concern, but they have a middle order that makes up adequately for that shortcoming. Williamson has taken the world by storm in his own untroubled consistency. Taylor has not quite been in his element, but he brings a sense of calm and assurance to the team; and McCullum has led from the front with the bat and his on-field involvement. Even when the chips are down McCullum is seen trying to make things happen rather than being just a passive observer.
The contributions of the bowlers cannot be overlooked either. Boult and Southee have shown time again their ability to rip through reputable batting line-ups. They bowled brilliantly in this Test as well, and had it not been for the genius of Sangakkara, New Zealand would have been on top right from innings one. Take Sanga’s innings away, and Sri Lanka only managed 153 runs in the first innings.
Ever since Vettori quit playing Tests on a regular basis in 2012 owing to back pain (he has only made one appearance in between), New Zealand have struggled in the spin department but in Craig they may have found a solution. His average of 39.58 is not impressive but he has the knack to pick wickets. Taking four Sri Lankan wickets on a New Zealand track is no mean feat after all.
Of course, like all rugby-playing nations, New Zealand are an outstanding fielding side (they have always been one of the best in the department). While Martin Guptill (perhaps the best fielder in the world) does not play the five-day format, Williamson, McCullum and Boult set exceptional standards, with others as backups.
The recipe of success for a Test side involves many ingredients, and the Kiwis have most of them in the mix. One of the crucial ones is crowd support, and as the team has got better and better, the crowds have generously got behind their team. The Boxing Day Test at Hagley Oval against Sri Lanka saw a full house on Day One and near-capacity crowds on the other days. The second Test at Basin Reserve also witnessed impressive attendances.
New Zealand have displayed great fight and have managed to win over a lot of new fans. One wishes that the tiny rugby-crazy nation of four million continues to display such hunger and fight in the Cricket’s longest format.
(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 @RishadDsouza on Twitter)
