HOW THEY RATED

New Zealand statistics and ratings from the nine one-day games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan: Martin Guptill (9 innings, 239 runs at 29.88, strike rate 78, high score 76) Rating: 6. Badly needed his last two bats against Pakistan and a solid 76 was a confidence booster. Still not the Guptill of old but improving. Brilliant fielding in the inner circle. Brendon McCullum (8 innings, 280 runs at 35, SR 121, HS 117) Rating: 7. Runs tailed off near the end with his licence to thrill approach but with the middle order firing it is a risk worth taking. The team continues to look bulletproof with him at the helm in the field. Kane Williamson (6 innings, 407 runs at 67.83, SR 95, HS 112) Rating: 9. Best batsman, biggest loss if he gets injured. Unflustered by any situation and in the form of his life, and will be no surprise to see him at the top of the run charts in late March. Ross Taylor (8 innings, 333 runs at 55.5, SR 84, HS 102no) Rating: 8. Fought through a lean patch and got to open the shoulders with a solid platform in Napier. Williamson firing takes the heat off him and he can relax and prosper at the crease. Fingers crossed for no more runout dramas. Grant Elliott (7 innings, 286 runs at 71.5, SR 95, HS 104no; 26.3 overs, 7 wickets at 22.57, economy rate 5.9, best bowling 3-26) Rating: 9. A 35-year-old revelation. The numbers tell a story of his contribution and he did not let up through the series. An experienced head who is more relaxed now and should not bottle it under pressure. Offers some canny variations with the ball. Tom Latham (5 innings, 91 runs at 18.2, SR 62, HS 42) Rating: 5. Got limited chances but did not seize them. Will take the gloves in the warmup matches next week and destined to be a bit-part player unless injuries strike. Corey Anderson (7 innings, 210 runs at 35, SR 98, HS 81; 47 overs, 11 wickets at 27.18, ER 6.4, BB 4-52) Rating: 8. Won New Zealand matches with bat and ball which is his job description as the rock star all-rounder. His bowling progression was the most pleasing aspect. Can go for runs but has a wicket-taking knack. Luke Ronchi (7 innings, 279 runs at 55.8, SR 146, HS 170no; 14 catches, 1 stumping) Rating: 8. The finisher who gave Sri Lanka’s bowlers sleepless nights and will have them uneasy again in Christchurch. Showed he could prop up an ailing innings too, with his Dunedin pyrotechnics. Daniel Vettori (4 innings, 52 runs at 17.33, SR 116, HS 35; 46 overs, 1 wicket at 196, ER 4.3, BB 1-41) Rating: 8. Numbers do not tell the story here. Bowled two matchclinching spells in Dunedin and Napier and remains their best spinner. Turned back the clock with his Wellington batting to ease concerns over the No 8 spot. Nathan McCullum (3 innings, 47 runs at 47, SR 60, HS 25no; 31 overs, 4 wickets at 42.25, ER 5.5, BB 2-33) Rating: 7. More of the same and a vital squad member in all three facets but unlikely to get too much game time unless Vettori suffers an injury. A worthy, experienced backup who can step in comfortably. Tim Southee (35.4 overs, 9 wickets at 22.56, ER 5.7, BB 3-59) Rating: 7. Still the leader of the attack who stepped up in the big moments. Slightly expensive but took regular wickets up front and at the death. Trent Boult (55.1 overs, 8 wickets at 30.38, ER 4.4, BB 4-44) Rating: 8. The big mover. Made a slow start then finished with a rush, notably his 4-44 in Dunedin which probably pushed him ahead of Mitchell McClenaghan. If the ball swings he could be lethal, and is much improved in the power play. Adam Milne (43 overs, 8 wickets at 27.63, ER 5.1, BB 2-28) Rating: 7. Has done enough to be in New Zealand’s top-three, purely for pace and X factor. May be used sparingly in the tournament but must start against Sri Lanka who he caused problems for. Mitchell McClenaghan (41 overs, 10 wickets at 22.6, ER 5.5, BB 4-36) Rating: 7. Solid and fulfilled his job description. Unfortunately for him, fellow left-armer Boult is bowling out of his skin but McClenaghan should still see game time at some stage. Kyle Mills (24 overs, 3 wickets at 33.33, ER 4.2, BB 2-29) Rating: 6. Excellent spell on a sluggish Wellington pitch that showed he still has the goods after an injury layoff. May be seen as a horse-for-course punt against England if the Wellington pitch looks similar.

‘It’s been great preparation but we need to refresh physically and mentally and then go again.’