Upsets have Black Caps wary

They’re at an historic lofty perch in the test rankings, but if the Black Caps needed any sort of reminder not to get ahead of themselves they only need to look at recent weeks in the world of cricket.

Fifth-ranked England falling 2-1 to the eighth-ranked West Indies in the Caribbean was followed by an even bigger upset in sixth-ranked Sri Lanka becoming the first Asian team to win a test series in South Africa, sealing a 2-0 whitewash at the weekend.

The Proteas’ stumble was enough for New Zealand to overtake them into a best-ever placing of No 2 in the test rankings.

While those standings don’t mean a lot in the greater scheme of things, they will indeed take on more importance come the middle of the year, when the new World Test Championship begins.

The Black Caps’ final assignment before then is a three-test series against lowly Bangladesh, starting in Hamilton tomorrow, where they can solidify their position behind rankings leaders India. But with the visitors languishing at No 9, and coming off a 3-0 thumping in the ODI series, New Zealand must be careful of complacency.

Recalled leg-spinner Todd Astle believed those recent underdog triumphs were good for the game, to keep the interest healthy for the fans, but noted his side now had to be the ones not to slip up.

‘‘We’re certainly not taking them lightly,’’ he said. ‘‘Last time they were here they put in some really good performances. And they’ve been able to beat England.’’