A few positives for New Zealand
Despite the 2-0 Test series loss to India, Kris Shannon writes that there are a few positives that have emerged for New Zealand: most notably the emergence of a triumvirate of young seamers
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Despite the 2-0 Test series loss to India, Kris Shannon writes that there are a few positives that have emerged for New Zealand: most notably the emergence of a triumvirate of young seamers. More from the New Zealand Herald.
Bangalore was the first time Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult were given full responsibility as the side's only seamers. They appeared to relish the task, especially Southee in his seven-wicket haul in the hosts' first innings, and Boult, who was hitting previously unseen speeds of 145km/h.
Max Bania on www.tvnz.co.nz presents his report card assessing New Zealand's performance.
Ross Taylor. 2 matches, 157 runs at 39.3. Topped the run-scoring charts courtesy of his freewheeling 113 in Bangalore: a magnificent display of talking the talk then walking the walk. But he still got himself out in frustrating ways, his slip catching was poor and his captaincy not always inspiring. A mixed series, in other words. Grade: B
Realistically, this is a limited New Zealand test team with promising youngsters but no world-class performers, befitting their world ranking of No 8, writes Mark Geenty in the Fairfax NZ News. They need a bowling performance like Southee's outstanding 7-64 and two centuries from their top-order to threaten the top sides. The latter continues to be a headache.
Akhila Ranganna is assistant editor (Audio) at ESPNcricinfo