How the Black Caps rated in their T20
This was the toughest victory of the lot, but they got there: five wins from as many home series for the men in black, and beige.
We rate the 12 Black Caps from the 3-2 victory over Australia, sealed in Wellington and highlighted by one redemption tale along with two headscratching underperformers.
MARTIN GUPTILL
5 innings, 218 runs at 43.6, strike rate 159, highest score 97 Rating: 9
What’s that f-word again? Ah yes, fickle. From a batsman who looked like he didn’t know where his next run was coming from, to the swaggering Guptill of old, in the space of three days. Ain’t Twenty20 cricket grand? Coach Gary Stead backed him staunchly and was rewarded under the ‘class is permanent’ proviso, which also saw Aaron Finch go from runless to destructive. Guptill’s run of form deserved scrutiny, and was a reminder of how a slump in the shortest format can be one big shot away from ending.
TIM SEIFERT
4 innings, 27 runs at 6.75, SR 63, HS 19
Rating: 2
A shift down the order for game five was telling for Seifert who barely fired a shot and now may not play another T20 international until September as he jets off to the IPL. His place in an extended T20 World Cup squad looks safe, but he faces some idle time, albeit under the tutelage of Brendon McCullum in India.
KANE WILLIAMSON
5 innings, 82 runs at 16.4, SR 122, HS 53
Rating: 6
Two cheap lbw dismissals to the whirlwind Riley Meredith in Wellington, and a rapid 53 off 35 balls in Dunedin which almost went unnoticed amid Guptill’s onslaught. Strong captaincy in game five with snappy bowling changes and use of part-timers Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips on a spin-friendly pitch, mixed with his go-to senior pacemen. Keeping Australia to sub-150 was the winning of the game.
DEVON CONWAY
5 innings, 192 runs at 48, SR 140, HS 99no
Rating: 8
Bookended his series with a breathtaking, matchwinning knock in Christchurch then a cool, calm support role to Guptill in Wellington. The left-right combination was effective and we could see more of it against Bangladesh, with Conway looking the most effective up high having dominated for the Firebirds as an opener.
GLENN PHILLIPS 5 innings, 86 runs at 21.5, SR 156, HS 34no
2 overs, 0-21, economy rate 10.5 Rating: 6
Looked out of sorts with the bat by his high standards, then a horror runout in game four, before he found his groove in the decider with a solid platform. Showed his worth as a finisher by blasting the Black Caps home in the chase and will have gained confidence from that. Offspin is a work in progress but he will be better for the run and is a definite option for the subcontinent.
MARK CHAPMAN
2 innings, 19 runs at 19, SR 158, HS 18
2 overs, 1-9, ER 4.5
Rating: 6
Played a cameo role for the ill Mitchell Santner then the axed Kyle Jamieson, but did it well in his brief appearances. Hasn’t bowled a lot since shoulder surgery but offers plenty as a third or fourth spinner when it’s turning, and can strike at 150-plus with the bat as he showed for the Aces. A valuable, versatile squad member who looks a strong chance for the World Cup.
JIMMY NEESHAM 4 innings, 74 runs at 24.66, SR 200, HS 45no 6 overs, 2 wickets at 39.5, ER