Cricket: the key to Black Caps' success

It may be too early to make definitive statements, but the Black Caps are slowly building a stick range that compares favorably with that of their many predecessors.

This year has been an exceptional year for the New Zealand batting corps – among all players who scored at least 300 tries in 2018, the top three averages are held by New Zealanders – Henry Nicholls (73.11), Tom Latham ( 59.81) and Kane Williamson. (59,18).

Contemplate the highest test averages of all time in New Zealand. Four Black Caps are currently in the top 10 – Williamson (first), Ross Taylor (third), Nicholls (eighth) and Latham (ninth). The four are on average more than 40 years old, while BJ Watling averages 39.77, and Jeet Raval (34.69) and Colin de Grandhomme (32.77) both have strong track records.

Most current players have had difficult times with the bat, but they still have to be selected. Black Caps Coach-Striker Craig McMillan believes that consistent selection is essential to their recent success.

"From a striking point of view, you should know that you do not play for your place in the next two or three rounds, you will benefit from it further down the track, if the nature of the beast is such that some will miss in certain conditions, against some oppositions, if you give them the confidence to stay with them for a while, I think you will get the results.

"We had some consistency with the top six, the top seven for a period of time, now they've played 20 to 40 tests, and we'll see the benefits for the next two, three, four years."

The benefits have already begun, as different players start fighting to win test wins. Previously, the Black Caps had won only one try – against England in 2015 – in which neither Williamson nor Taylor had scored a 50, but with great centuries in Latham (176) and Nicholls (162 not on), they doubled this total to the second. test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.

McMillan adds that winning success under different conditions shows the versatility and potential of the bat group.

"In the United Arab Emirates, our game plans have been tested in terms of bowling, overthrow, etc. We have returned to New Zealand, where the challenge is pace and rebound. different conditions, we're getting better and better, and we're doing it faster and faster, and I think we're seeing the results. "

Four consecutive victories in the playoffs are a remarkable result, and Bangladesh will have to be at its best next year to not become five in a row.