Black Caps seal No 2 ranking
From a gloomy Saturday afternoon of drizzle to a fifth successive test series victory – in less than 72 hours.
No wonder stand-in New Zealand skipper Tim Southee looked so pleased with himself and team-mates, before they roared their team song in the dressing room and nearly lifted the RA Vance Stand roof.
A second test that began at 10.30am on a chilly Wellington Sunday was over by 1.10pm yesterday, the Black Caps winning by an innings and 12 runs over Bangladesh who again waved the white flag.
Or at least waved their bats, aimlessly, against another Neil Wagner barrage as he bounded and bounced his way to match figures of 9-73.
All this from 8-2 on Monday morning in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings of 211. Cue a rapid Ross Taylor 200 off 212 balls that earned him man of the match, then a clinical mop-up by the bowlers led by Wagner and Trent Boult (7-90 for the test).
‘‘It was an ideal two days. You sit there at the start of the day and hope they go as well as that,’’ said Southee, who may well retain the job for Saturday’s third test in Christchurch.
Captain Kane Williamson is in doubt but not yet ruled out after his left shoulder injury was diagnosed as a minor pectoral muscle tear.
A fifth successive series win ensures the Black Caps the season-ending world No 2 test ranking behind India, and an International Cricket Council bonus of US$500,000 (NZ$730,000).
Since their 1-0 home loss to South Africa two years ago the Black Caps beat West Indies and England at home, chalked up the big one against Pakistan away, then dominated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
With eight wins from their last 11 tests it’s hard to argue with their lofty perch, although the next year will tell the definitive story when they tour Sri Lanka, host England, tour Australia then host India in the inaugural World Test Championship.
Southee said consistency and adaptability in secret.
‘‘The tour to the UAE which is a tough place to go, to win a series over there was very special. We understand New Zealand conditions but we’ve also been thrown situations like this test match with a threeday window to try and win it.
‘‘It’s about that experience in the group and the confidence around it. Guys are really thriving when they come in. Look at the way Henry Nicholls has gone from strength to strength, Tom Latham, and throw in some class like Ross Taylor, Trent Boult who’s been world class for a number different conditions was their of years, Neil Wagner doing his thing.
‘‘There’s a number of guys stepping up at different times and not relying on one or two guys to win you games of cricket.’’
Southee said the way Taylor, Nicholls (107) and Williamson (74) rattled along at better than five an over on Monday set it up. The test only went for 201.5 overs as Bangladesh were skittled for 209 in 56 overs.
Captain Mahmudullah said: ‘‘We didn’t apply ourselves well with the bat. We didn’t commit and back ourselves.’’
It’s 0-26 now for Bangladesh against the Black Caps in New Zealand, across the formats.
Wagner relished the bouncy Basin Reserve strip, which was springier with its extra grass. The short-pitched attack was an obvious go-to given his past success, and Bangladesh’s short ball struggles. The resistance was brief as catches were skied and stumps splayed.
‘‘Neil has shown for a long time he’s very good at it. You’re allowed two bouncers an over and it’s not like he’s breaking any laws of the game. It’s a tactic that’s worked for us and especially on a pitch that’s offering plenty of bounce it seems silly not to use it, ’’ Southee said.
Wicketkeeper BJ Watling also sat out the victory charge after tweaking his left hamstring in warmups. It saw substitute fielders Peter Bocock and Jeremy Benton summoned, the former handed the gloves to enable Tom Latham to stay in the slips cordon.
Bocock, a first-class wicketkeeper for Northern Districts, looked the part and got to soak up the celebrations, too.