NZ can take many positives from season

WELLINGTON: Kane Williamson felt there were numerous positives to take out of New Zealand’s international season even if it was deprived of a victorious climax to it by the Hamilton rain.

South Africa clinched the threematch series 10 yesterday after the final day of the third test at Seddon Park was washed out without a ball being bowled, ensuring the Proteas would hold on for a draw.

‘‘Although it’s frustrating with today and not being able to get some cricket in, on a positive note, it has been a good season,’’ captain Williamson said after umpires Rod Tucker and Bruce Oxenford called off the match.

‘‘I still think while there have been some positives in terms of results, it’s about growth with a number of transitions in personnel. There’s a lot of positives.

‘‘Good to get some wins along the way but, as a unit, we have grown together and coming into this last game to perhaps play our best test match is a really good sign.’’

Williamson’s test side is still finding its feet but it beat Pakistan 20 in a series late last year and followed that with a victory over Bangladesh by the same margin.

While South Africa proved an altogether tougher opponent, it was the weather which had the last word on a finelypoised first test in Dunedin, with a final day washout again forcing a draw.

In the second test in Wellington, the Black Caps suffered their only defeat of the home season.

Suffering one of the mental collapses that has so often hampered its test game, New Zealand was undone by leftarm spinner Keshav Maharaj on a Basin Reserve pitch that was offering him little or no assistance and lost by eight wickets.

It had to play the third test without newball duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee as well as batting mainstay Ross Taylor but newcomers Jeet Raval and Colin de Grandhomme stepped up with the bat.

Matt Henry, so often the fourthchoice seamer for a team which usually fields a threepronged pace attack, took the new ball with relish and claimed careerbest figures of four for 93 in the first innings.

‘‘I think the pleasing thing for us was that we’re showing signs of improvement. With a number of experienced players out as well, the guys stepped up and contributed,’’ Williamson added.

‘‘Someone like Jeet getting challenged by probably the best bowling attack in world cricket and fronting up game after game was outstanding, especially against the new ball.

‘‘Matt Henry, who probably deserves more opportunities through the year — to see him take wickets with the new ball it’s good for the depth.’’ — Reuters