A series triumph 49 years in the making: How the Black Caps rated
TOM LATHAM (6 innings, 99 runs at 16.5, HS 50). Rating: 4
A disappointing series for the senior man and one of the best players of spin in the side. Played a loose shot to Yasir Shah then got a ripper from Hasan Ali and never really recovered. Looked set in the second innings in Dubai but got a rough call and that was that.
JEET RAVAL (6 innings, 131 runs at 21.83, HS 46). Rating: 5
Gets a pass mark for two significant innings in his first tests away from home. Looked the part against the quicks but fell into Yasir’s web in Dubai and found it tricky to extricate himself. Still good enough to feel safe for the five home tests.
KANE WILLIAMSON (6 innings, 386 runs at 77.2, HS 139). Rating: 9
The thesaurus got a solid workout during that third test as he showed his absolute world class. Ground out top score in the first innings then crafted one of his best and most significant hundreds in the second, hugely satisfying for the skipper to usher in one of the team’s best away series victories.
ROSS TAYLOR (6 innings, 125 runs at 20.83, HS 82). Rating: 5
A funny old series for the senior statesman who struggled against Yasir then hit out in the third test before falling to the leg side trap.
One significant knock in the second test had New Zealand on the road to safety but a soft catch ended that.
HENRY NICHOLLS (6 innings, 287 runs at 57.4, HS 126no). Rating: 8
Got through some jitters to confidently stamp his mark as a batting mainstay for years to come, especially his unbeaten third test hundred which added to his growing catalogue of quality test knocks under pressure. Should kick on from here and have a big home summer. BJ WATLING (6 innings, 174 runs at 34.8, HS 77no). Rating: 8 Immense in the first innings of the third test to carry on Williamson’s hard toil and help post a competitive total. Showed how valuable he remains at No 6 and kept his standards high with the gloves, snaring 10 catches and a stumping including a crucial leg side grab to remove Asad Shafiq.
COLIN DE GRANDHOMME (6 innings, 63 runs at 10.5, HS 26; 63 overs, 5 wickets at 25.6, BB 2-30). Rating: 6
Made up ground on the last day of the series with a power hitting cameo then a gem of a delivery to remove dangerman Azhar Ali. Had some tidy spells with the ball, otherwise it was a struggle with the bat against spin and reverse swing. Will enjoy a return home to conditions.
TIM SOUTHEE (37 overs, 4 wickets at 24.50, BB 3-42). Rating: 6
Recalled for the third test, made a rusty start after a few idle weeks but warmed to his task on the final day. A stunner to remove Mohammad Hafeez got New Zealand on a roll and he helped polish off the tail to play his part in the victory. WILL SOMERVILLE (56 overs, 7 wickets at 18.14, BB 4-75). Rating: 9 A cracking story and enhanced the fairytale by helping spin his country
to a rare offshore series victory. Looked unlikely to feature but proved an inspired selection and showed his maturity and fighting qualities with the bat then produced a magical double-wicket maiden to hasten their victory charge.
NEIL WAGNER (68 overs, 3 wickets at 40, BB 2-27). Rating: 6
A vital support act for Ajaz Patel in that rush to victory in the first test and a touch unlucky to miss out on the decider after a long, wicketless spell in Dubai. Also an element of rest and rotation in his dropping for Southee and will likely be back in Wellington against Sri Lanka on
Saturday.
AJAZ PATEL (135.5 overs, 13 wickets at 29.61, BB 5-59). Rating: 8 Another remarkable spin debut set the tone for New Zealand in the series when he bowled them to victory in Abu Dhabi. Calm under pressure and confident in his ability, was a key addition to the squad and lived up to his billing after dominating domestic cricket.
ISH SODHI (44 overs, 3 wickets at 47, BB 2-37). Rating: 5
Gets points for his vital double breakthrough in tandem with Patel that sparked their victory charge in the first test. Still, a struggle for the legspinner whose test future looks
cloudy even though his white ball credentials remain strong. Consistency and sustained pressure are his work-ons.
TRENT BOULT (91.2 overs, 7 wickets at 37.42, BB 4-54). Rating: 7
Started strongly in the first test then bowled very well without luck in Dubai. Hinted at a bag of wickets in the third test but it became the spin show. Will be back charging in the home summer with the ball swinging and no reason to believe he won’t excel again.
Not used: Matt Henry, Tom Blundell