ACS Overseas First-Class Annual 2016

New Zealand in 2015/16 In recent seasons the New Zealand Test side has won itself many friends, not only because of good results but because of the team’s style and outlook. These may not be the most talented eleven players ever to step onto the cricket field, but they approach every game with a determined, attacking attitude. They are tough opponents, certainly, but always sporting and fair and without any hint of arrogance: these are cricketers that know that every win must be earned and, as for defeat, if one has given of one’s best there is no disgrace in being beaten by a stronger side. The Kiwis met with their fair share of both triumph and disaster in 2015/16 and 2016. Five rubbers were engaged in, and by the end the verdict was clear. New Zealand would put up a dogged and determined resistance to the might of Australia and South Africa, but would ultimately yield; but they would asset their superiority against Sri Lanka (at least, when blessed with home advantage) and Zimbabwe. Two rubbers against Australia in quick succession – first away, then at home – would be a challenging proposition for any team. New Zealand were undaunted: in the face of an Australian run-glut at Brisbane, built around electrifying twin centuries by David Warner, they ‘kept their shape’ in soccer parlance, but still went down to heavy defeat. Warner again showed his mastery of the bowling at Perth, but here, his 253 was eclipsed by Ross Taylor’s 290 and New Zealand forced a worthy draw. The final game (and first ever day/night Test) was a lower-scoring affair that might have gone either way; New Zealand were competitive throughout, but the hosts scrambled home by three wickets. So ended a rubber that had been far more evenly contested than the 2-0 scoreline suggests. And it was the same story, and the same scoreline, later in the season when it was Australia’s turn to cross the Tasman. In the first Test, New Zealand allowed themselves to be ‘caught cold’ and were heavily beaten despite a defiant display in the second innings; the second match was more even, but New Zealand never looked like overcoming Australia’s imposing batting strength. Between these two rubbers had been sandwiched two Tests against Sri Lanka: formidable opponents in Asia, but perhaps somewhat less so elsewhere. Even so, they should not be taken for granted and New Zealand had to work hard to defeat them, especially in the second Test where the victors secured a handy lead of 55 only to be bowled out for 133 in the second innings. New Zealand’s remaining Test commitments came in the form of an African tour in July and August 2016. Zimbabwe, firmly at the bottom of the Test rankings, were no match for the visitors, who won both Tests at a cost of only six Kiwi wickets in each. Thus encouraged, the side proceeded to South Africa and to a severe defeat in the second Test after the first had been ruined by rain. It was, then, a year of ups and downs for the Test side; but perhaps with slightly more downs than ups. With the teams in the middle of the ICC table so closely packed, this was enough to consign New Zealand to seventh place compared with third at the end of 2015: a harsh judgment on a year in which the side had displayed much good and spirited cricket. It was in December 2012 that the New Zealand authorities announced that the national cricket captain, Ross Taylor, had resigned or been sacked (no one seemed sure) and that Brendon McCullum would take over. The clumsiness with which the matter was handled, and the fact that Taylor had just scored 142 and 74 in leading the side to a stunning win at Colombo, ensured that McCullum began his reign with half the country convinced that he ought not to be leading the side. Yet a little over three years later, when McCullum announced his international retirement, he was unanimously saluted as one of the finest and most inspirational of Test skippers. During his time in charge, he had transformed New Zealand into one of the most effective (and 217