Demanding job, but what a summer

IT was leg day at the gym yesterday.

And perhaps Black Caps coach Mike Hesson’s legs in the role are finally tiring.

He is contracted through to the end of the World Cup next year and the 43yearold said he had given ‘‘a lot of thought’’ to his future beyond that.

He will have been in the role for seven years by then and that is a long period in a demanding job that has taken him away from his young family an awful lot.

He is also very passionate about the role but the tone of his response suggested he would be ready for a change.

‘‘I don’t want to discuss it publicly. But, obviously, it has been a big stint,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m certainly very focused until the World Cup and we will look at how things go after that.’’

Whatever happens between now and then, Hesson can reflect on what was a tremendous home summer for the Black Caps.

The team swept aside the challenge from the touring West Indies, whitewashed Pakistan in the ODI series 50 and defeated England in a test series for the first time since 1999.

There were losses, as well. Pakistan won the twenty20 series 21, England edged New Zealand 32 in a thrilling ODI series and Australia dominated the twenty20 triseries.

But, overall, the Black Caps showed how tough they are to beat in their own conditions and enhanced their reputation as a quality side.

And importantly, they appear to be building nicely for the the World Cup in England and Wales next year.

The Black Caps strung nine consecutive ODI wins together before meeting their match in England.

‘‘That was pretty good for us considering we are still a developing side.

‘‘I still don’t think we are quite there yet. But to still get results when you are trying a few things was very pleasing.

‘‘And it shows, with the World Cup in mind, we are not too far off.

‘‘The series against England was probably between two of the better sides going around at the moment and it was a bit of a dingdong battle.

‘‘Losing it was probably not a bad thing in terms of us recognis ing we are not quite where we want to be.’’

While the Black Caps batting lineup and bowling unit look settled, the side is still searching for a Ben Stokestype figure.

‘‘It is very difficult to find someone who is able to bat in the top six and be a genuine frontline bowler. That gives your side the ability to perhaps play an extra spinner or play three frontline seamers.

‘‘It gives you more options to take wickets through the middle. Taking wickets in that period is critical but you also have to balance that out with making sure you’re able to score enough runs.

‘‘We have not quite got that balance right. We are starting to get our batsmen bowling a bit more, which allows us that flexibility.’’

The season’s highlights included the Black Caps’ fabulous oneday win against England in Dunedin.

Ross Taylor played arguably the greatest oneday innings by a New Zealander, clouting an undefeated 181 to guide his side to a fivewicket win and keep the home team in the series.

The last hour of the second test against England was compelling viewing as Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner frustrated the attack with some defiant defence to clinch a draw and the series win.

But the opening salvo in the series was hard to go past. Trent Boult and Tim Southee combined to dismiss England for 58 runs.

‘‘That was probably the highlight but I think it was also the general fight from the team. A lot of the games we won we never led from start to finish.

‘‘Those games are easy to win, so the highlight was the scrappy qualities we showed throughout the whole season, where we won some games that we probably didn’t have the right to win.’’

Those attributes were never more evident than during Sodhi and Wagner’s tenacious partnership.

‘‘When Wags went out there we talked about him taking as much of the quick bowling as possible because he is a very brave character and likes to get in the fight. The fact they were bouncing him just added a little bit of steel.

‘‘But, as it got closer, we kept looking at the clouds and hoping one or two would come over, there is no doubt about that.’’

❛ I still don’t think we are quite there yet. But to still get results when you are trying a few things was very

pleasing

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson