From delightful debuts to old pros showing their class; the eight wicket win over Pakistan in Christchurch was packed with positives for the BLACKCAPS.
Big House = Big Win
You really can’t do much more than claim the man of the match award on your Test debut. Colin de Grandhomme or ‘Big House’ as he’s affectionately known was quite simply on fire in Christchurch. His 6-41 in the first innings, the best figures by a New Zealander on Test debut, was a bowling performance which set the tone for the BLACKCAPS victory. He also looked right at home with the bat in a brisk 29, which included an effortless boundary off his first ball in Test cricket. He did everything that was asked of him and did it in style. Watch out for him in more than one type of BLACKCAPS playing shirt this summer! But don’t expect too much chat!
Danger - T & T
At their very best, the BLACKCAPS new ball pairing of Tim Southee and Trent Boult are world class. They again showed they’re getting back to the peak of their powers. They finished with 10 wickets between them for the match and deserved to claim half the wickets. Both swung the ball and had RPOs consistently around the two an over mark. When Boult bowls with pace and Southee gets his bounce they’re a lethal combination.
Jeet Raval looks the part
He had to bide his time for a Test debut, but when the Auckland opener’s chance came - boy did he look ready. A sound technique coupled with a clear gameplan saw Raval top the runs aggregate for the match with 55 and 36 not out in his two digs. On green and seaming New Zealand wickets he presents as a very capable ally for Tom Latham at the top of the order. Raval also looks right at home at second slip where he claimed three first innings catches.
Neil Wagner being Neil Wagner
Continues to live up to his world number 11 bowling ranking as he once again got the job done when required. On the second afternoon of play, with the ball no longer doing much and the Pakistan second innings plodding along at 58 for 1, Wagner broke the game open. Babar Azam succumbing to his short ball barrage for Wagner’s 100th Test wicket and a breakthrough that triggered five more that evening. He plays an invaluable role and is the perfect third option behind Southee and Boult - and not to mention de Grandhomme!
Runs for Kane
The BLACKCAPS chief run scorer was at his fluent best in the second innings. He brought plenty of positive intent and scored at close to a run a ball for the majority of his 61. Always a good sign to have the skipper in form - especially ahead of a series decider.
