The BLACKCAPS finished The National Bank One-Day Series against Pakistan how they started it -- with a dominant performance -- bookending some indifferent cricket as they leave on Tuesday for the subcontinent-hosted World Cup.
Last Thursday's player-only honesty session at Hamilton appeared to do the trick as a Jesse Ryder-inspired New Zealand cruised to a 57-run win in the sixth and final match here at Eden Park yesterday.
The overall spoils remained with Pakistan, though, as the tourists secured a thoroughly deserved 3-2 series victory.
Ryder, who had five ducks in nine previous innings during Pakistan's tour, delivered the big score coach John Wright had demanded of one of his top four all series.
His 93-ball 107 and some lusty late hitting from Nathan McCullum, with 65, and Scott Styris, with 58 not out, saw the hosts through to 311 for seven. Hamish Bennett then took four for 46 and seamer Kyle Mills was miserly as Pakistan mustered just 254 in response.
The performance would have left New Zealand followers pondering what might have been, especially after a nine-wicket victory first up in Wellington.
But Pakistan simply outplayed and outthought the hosts during the middle of the series.
Little separated the respective bowling units but Pakistan batted responsibly and smartly, where New Zealand's batsmen too often had scant regard for their wickets and played what allrounder Jacob Oram aptly dubbed dumb cricket.
Despite losing 14 of their past 16 one-day matches, stand-in New Zealand captain Ross Taylor felt, after yesterday's win, they would take some momentum into the World Cup, which starts on February 19.
"It has been a tough six matches but to finish it on that note was very satisfying and hopefully we can take some momentum into the World Cup, get a couple of wins in the warmup games and take it into the real matches," he said last night.
"We were a bit inconsistent but in saying that we were close in the (lost) matches. Key people probably didn't step up and other players got out at crucial times. The two matches we did win, players did step up so it shows that when we do step up we're a competitive side."
New Zealand's series was perhaps summed up by Ryder's fortunes. He smacked 55 at Wellington, was rested as part of the rotation policy, picked up a bruised finger, was run out without facing a ball on his return in Hamilton, then carved a magnificent century yesterday, the 26-year-old's second from 28 one-day internationals.
"It's been a frustrating series for me with all those ducks under my belt," Ryder said.
"But batting at No 3, I just wanted to go out and express myself and back my ability. I was feeling good after that first game in Wellington so to go out and score a hundred (yesterday) just tops it off before the World Cup."
Little positive came out of the selectors' rotation policy, although one plus is that Brendon McCullum's brief stint in the middle order is over.
Taylor suggested McCullum would open with Martin Guptill at the World Cup with Ryder at No 3 and Taylor at No 4, ensuring New Zealand's potential matchwinners get the best opportunity to do just that.
Nathan McCullum emerged as a more than useful innings finisher with two half-centuries to top the series averages for the home team while James Franklin and Scott Styris chipped in at different times, suggesting there is enough power in the middle to low order, provided there is a platform.
The death bowling improved markedly over the last three matches. Mills staked his claim as did the improving Bennett, who ended with 11 wickets at an average of 20.90 for the series. With Tim Southee also in the mix the pace bowling unit is in reasonably good shape.
Interestingly, New Zealanders filled four of the top six places in the batting averages and while left-arm quick Wahab Riaz, who took eight wickets at 18.12, topped the bowling averages, he was followed by six home bowlers.
But different Pakistan players contributed when they needed to, a good sign for the tourists ahead of the World Cup.
"Hopefully the same momentum will go into the World Cup and we will try our best to make sure we deliver the goods," coach Waqar Younis said.
Injuries to Daniel Vettori, Ryder, who both have hamstring strains, and Oram (ankle) are not thought to be serious and the trio are expected to travel to India on Tuesday.
NZPA
