Series win over Australia

13.16, best bowling 2-10 Rating: 6

From all-round matchwinner in Dunedin to second-most expensive New Zealand T20 bowling (0-60 off four) in Wellington was some ride for Neesham against his mate Glenn Maxwell. Dunedin at least showcased his value to the side with some breathtaking hitting power and a cool death over with 15 runs to play with, qualities that earned him another go at the IPL.

MITCHELL SANTNER

15.3 overs, 6 wickets at 16.16, ER 6.25, BB 4-31

3 innings, 10 runs at 5, SR 91, HS 7no

Rating: 8

Ironically the game he missed with a cold provided the biggest indication of Santner’s immense value to the side, when the bowlers were collared in game three and there was no one to apply the brakes. His economy rate speaks for itself and when it was turning in Wellington he was even more dangerous in tandem with Ish Sodhi. Potentially the player they could least afford to lose to injury/illness at the World Cup.

KYLE JAMIESON 15 overs, 1 wicket at 175, ER

11.66, BB 1-32

3 innings, 41 runs at 20.5, SR 152, HS 30

Rating: 3

A return to earth with a thud for Jamieson whose fairytale start to test cricket continued into a multi-million dollar IPL deal. Has all the attributes for an effective T20 bowler and has done it at domestic level, but struggled to hit the right lengths and show enough variation as Finch dispatched him coldly in Wellington. Dropped for game five, and with Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne returning to the mix faces some tough competition later in the year as heads to Bangalore to hone his craft.

TIM SOUTHEE

19 overs, 6 wickets at 27.33, ER 8.63, BB 2-10

Rating: 7

Bowled better than his figures suggested, and just centimetres away from trapping Finch first ball in game three and continuing his run drought. Questions over Southee’s effectiveness at T20 level have eased, especially when it’s swinging and him and Trent Boult get to work as they did in Christchurch.

ISH SODHI 19 overs, 13 wickets at 12.07, ER

8.26, BB 4-28

Rating: 9

Consistency was Sodhi’s work-on and he delivered with a wicket-fest across the five games, earning the man of the series gong in the process. The short side boundaries and Australia’s switch hitting made it tougher in Wellington but he adjusted his line, varied his flight and was helped by some super catching. Set to have a big impact on the World Cup with Santner.

TRENT BOULT

19 overs, 7 wickets at 20.57, ER 7.57, BB 2-22

Rating: 8

An IPL champion with Mumbai Indians last year and off to defend that title, after a superb series for his country. Remains one of the best new ball bowlers in world cricket, did some damage early and showed his versatility in latter spells to finish the series strongly in the capital.

Not used:

Deserved at least one chance but the Wellington pitch played against him. Will get his opportunities against Bangladesh and remains a solid bet for larger T20 squads the rest of this year.

Hamish Bennett: