Windies tour was just the entree
OPINION: So what have we learnt from the West Indies’ tour of New Zealand?
The team from the Caribbean arrived six weeks ago, full of hope and optimism, but they leave having been well and truly outplayed.
It’s hard to know what to make of the Black Caps given that they have barely been challenged so far, but a fair few individuals have put their hands up and screamed: ‘Look at me!’
Colin de Grandhomme was the first to do so, blazing his way to a maiden test century on the second afternoon of the season and finishing with 105 from 74 balls.
With a half century in the second test, and four wickets with the ball across both matches, he has firmly established himself as the Black Caps’ leading all-rounder, and will be warmly welcomed when he returns to the squad, having been in Zimbabwe following the death of his father prior to Christmas.
Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell joined de Grandhomme at the crease for most of his century, and notched a maiden ton himself, on his home ground, the Basin Reserve, in his debut test.
Blundell was given the chance because regular gloveman BJ Watling was waylaid with a hip injury. Watling should return to the fold for the Black Caps’ next tests, against England at the end of March, but Blundell has made a case to be retained.
Could Watling play as a batsman, and squeeze Henry Nicholls out of the No 5 slot? We shall see.
Jeet Raval continued to impress opening the batting, even if his maiden century remained out of reach, which means the only player under any sort of scrutiny is Mitchell Santner, who needs to start offering more with the bat if he is to remain at No 6.
One player who might fancy replacing him is Todd Astle, who impressed when given the chance in the one-day series.
George Worker was another relatively new face who impressed, notching 57 and 58 in the first two matches, but he was always on borrowed time, selected to open the batting while Martin Guptill made his way back from injury.
Could he feel hard done by not to make the squad for the start of the Pakistan series, given he outscored fellow opener Colin Munro? Perhaps. But he knew going in that Munro was ahead of him in the pecking order, and given that Munro didn’t fail in the series scoring 49, 30, and 21 - a change of preference from the selectors was always going to be unlikely.
Finally, there were the rain-hit Twenty20s, where Munro got to cash in against some dreadful bowling, and young wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips got a chance to showcase his potential.
The West Indies are now on their way, and it’s fair to say they won’t be missed. Black Caps fans will never be too upset with winning but it would be nice to see some closer contests. Luckily, stronger opponents are just around the corner.
Five one-dayers and three T20s against Pakistan await from Saturday; then there’s the T20 triseries against Australia and England, who hang around for five more one-dayers and the pair of tests to see the season out.
This summer’s just getting started.