Misfiring Black Caps still a T20 work in progress
OPINION: What does it all mean?
The Twenty20 portion of the Black Caps’ summer is over, and it’s hard to give them anything more than a pass mark.
A series win against the West Indies, a series loss to Pakistan, a place in the tri-series final, but a comprehensive loss there to Australia, at Eden Park on Wednesday night.
You might say they have plenty to ponder, but when will it matter? They’ve had a record 11 T20 internationals this summer, but will they come close to that figure next season, when a one-day international World Cup is just around the corner? What about the summer after that, with a World Twenty20 to follow in Australia at the start of the following one?
It’s hard to know what to make of the Black Caps’ performances in the game’s shortest format, without knowing how important it is going to be going forward.
The ODI series against England that starts on Sunday in Hamilton comes with context, after all – the World Cup is back on their home soil next May and June, where the Black Caps will be hoping to go one better than they did in 2015.
Most of the Australian squad came into this tri-series on the back of playing a lot of T20 in the Big Bash League and that clearly gave them a boost.
Ross Taylor was asked after Wednesday’s loss if New Zealand should have a team in the BBL – something many fans have called for, however unlikely it may be – and he hesitated before replying.
‘‘Ask their CEO,’’ he said. ‘‘I enjoy watching it.’’
Maybe that sums it up. Australia have T20 stars, and the Black Caps watch them on TV.
The Black Caps relied heavily on runs from their openers, Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, this summer, and once they were both dismissed inside the power play on Wednesday, they were always going to find it hard to post a competitive total.
Taylor’s innings of 43 off 39 got them through to 150-9 but Australia were in control throughout the chase, and well ahead when rain ended proceedings.
‘‘It definitely was a lot slower than the wicket the other day, but 150 was never going to be enough,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘I thought if we could scrape to 160, 165 and get some early wickets, we’d give ourselves a sniff, especially with the unfortunate injury to [Chris] Lynn [who dislocated his right shoulder] and them being one batter short.
‘‘The best team won, the best team won the series, and it’s a disappointing result for us.’’
Taylor said he felt like the Black Caps were still a work in progress. The question is, when will they get to take their next steps?
‘‘Munro and Guptill, the way they performed throughout the whole campaign, and even in India, they were outstanding. Guys took their opportunities at different times,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s been disappointing the last few results, but I think as a team we’re starting to work out what to do, and hopefully over the next little while we can continue to improve.’’