While the BLACKCAPS fell just short of completing an historic first series victory in India, the tour to the sub-continent confirmed the international status of two rising stars of the squad.
Canterbury opener Tom Latham and Northern Districts all-rounder Mitchell Santner had impressive series with both the white and red ball.
Latham notched five fifties for the tour and was the second top run scorer in the ODIs with 244 runs at an average of 61.
Santner was joint third top wicket taker in the Tests and was the most economical bowler from both sides in the ODI series, going at 4.00 runs an over.
Coach Mike Hesson said the two 24-year-old’s were a lesson for the rest of the squad.
“They’re two guys who had never played in India before and yet they adapted so quickly and I think there’s an opportunity for all of us to learn from them. The fact is, if you’re good enough to keep evolving and adapting your game then you can have success in all conditions.
“Two very talented players, but two very smart players and they deserved the success they got.”
Santner in particular caught the eye of local good judges and Hesson confirmed the laid back all rounder was now “highly regarded in India as one of the best they’ve seen in a long time.”
Captain Kane Williamson also singled out the left arm orthodox for praise.
"He has been outstanding, especially as a young cricketer who is new-ish to the side. He’s performed day in and day out. His change of pace and his ability to spin the ball was a great asset to have as captain. Not to mention his batting and his fielding as well. [We] look forward to seeing his progression in the future."
Hesson praised the seam bowling attack for sticking to their task in tough and at times unresponsive conditions, with Trent Boult back to his best in the coach’s eyes.
“Trent was very good throughout the tour, he started to get the ball to reverse and got his aggression back through hitting the crease hard. He created opportunities throughout the tour and was our go to bowler, so he was a real positive.”
The tour was another experience chalked up for Williamson as captain and Hesson was happy with the progress of his young leader.
“Without a doubt he’s developed,” he said.
“It’s a tough tour for a captain when you’re struggling for team performance and as captain you come under scrutiny and have to keep coming up with lots of different answers. Kane’s a very thoughtful and deliberate captain and I thought he did really well.”
The team departed India late Sunday and will have little over a week before the majority are back in action, featuring in the third round of Plunket Shield which starts November 5th.
Following that, there will be a New Zealand A v Pakistan warm-up match at Saxton Oval from November 11-13.
“It will be good to get back into our more familiar surroundings in conditions that we know well. Pakistan are going to come over as the number one side in the world so that’s exciting in itself.
“We know we’re going to have to prepare well, we’ve got two weeks so probably a week of recovering from the lengthy tour and then we’ll get back into business,” Hesson added.
