When Brendon McCullum was new to New Zealand cricket, nobody thought he would lead this gritty New Zealand test side into the glory of being the amazing team they are, in all formats. The way New Zealand have played all formats in recent past, they definitely are the team with swagger in cricket. The New zealand’s swagger in cricket.
Once again New Zealand were 1-0 down in a test series away from home. This time it was mighty England. New Zealand lost the battle at Lord’s despite promising performances by individuals. They just couldn’t stop the floundering England Captain Cook and mainly Stuart Broad’s attack. But they have been through this before. They have been down under Pakistan in Abu Dhabi losing very badly. But not only did they draw the next test in Dubai but managed to beat Pakistan by an innings in Sharjah to level the series. The man leading from the front was none other than their captain Brendon McCullum.
In 2014, Baz just went wild in Test Cricket. He is a legend in T20 cricket and he always looked liked a person of limited overs. But the way he has scored daddy innings in Test Cricket, he has won so many hearts. Against India he scored a mighty 200 to win the match, and just when India looked to level up the next match, he batted on and on and on to a 300 to draw the test.
Back to the Pakistan series, New Zealand lost first test badly, Tom Latham this time got support from others like Ross Taylor. Mark Craig frightened Pakistan with some serious spin. New Zealand had discovered players. They were able to draw it. In Sharjah Baz went beast. At one moment, it looked like he would break Astle’s record of fastest 200, failing yet making a commendable 202 of 188 balls with support from Williamson’s 192 and others New Zealand set up a winning foundation. Mark Craig went as the discovery of the tournament performed all round and picked up 7 and 3 wickets in this test. In a match full of emotions because of what happened with Philip Hughes in Australia Mark Craig was adjudged man of the match for winning it for New Zealand.
How magnificently players have performed for New Zealand is a lesson for all the youngsters through out the world. Not long ago, New Zealand was a part of a flawless world cup campaign. They went in final undefeated, but sadly unprepared for conditions at the MCG against a very top form Australian side. However New Zealand won all hearts by playing flamboyantly throughout the campaign. There are people in New Zealand side who come out of nowhere and perform so well that they become the key strengths of the blackcaps. Matt Henry was called upon in World Cup after an injury to Adam Milne and he performed critically magnificent under pressure. Yet again New Zealand discovered player who didn’t disappoint. Just like they found Corey Anderson, Trent Boult etc in recent past.
Watching New Zealand play has been a treat. All teams have performed well at home, but New Zealand have done well to draw series away against giants like Pakistan and England. They bat aggressively without wasting time. In headingly test, they went all out on the first day on 350 in only 72.1 overs with handful of overs to bowl in the evening to England. England took 108.2 overs to reach the same score. Kiwis again scored at 5 an over in second innings to get to 454 of 91 overs putting so much pressure on the hosts. Combined bowling efforts by everyone did the final job ripping through the defenses of Cook and company.
New Zealand in present time have accumulated everything needed to get a good cricket team. With Ronchi included in test squad, they now almost have a same squad in test and one dayers. A consistent opener in Tom Latham, a cool head of Kane Williamson, amazingly accurate Trent Boult, a game changer Martin Guptil, the over all contribution of Ross Taylor, Southee’s ability to swing and with youngsters like Mark Craig, Matt Henry and Corey Anderson contributing, perfectly backed up by the aggression of their extraordinary captain, New Zealand have been a joy to watch in past few years. If there is a team which has swagger in their game, it certainly is the Blackcaps.