How they rated: Henry the sole standout
A lack of runs hurt the Black Caps most in their series defeat by Australia.
Rachin Ravindra topped the averages at 36.25, while outstanding seamer Matt Henry had a better average than four of the top seven in the batting order.
Henry performed brilliantly with the ball, capturing 17 wickets over two tests, but skipper Tim Southee struggled to have an impact. Here’s how the Black Caps rated in the two-test series:
Tom Latham: 124 runs at 31 Managed to avoid another hugely disappointing series against elite opposition when he displayed plenty of skill and tenacity in the second innings at Hagley, but more was needed from one of the side’s most experienced performers. 4.5/10 Will Young: 39 runs at 9.75
After a key knock at No 5 against the Proteas, he was asked to replace Devon Conway at the top of the order against the world champions. Despite batting as an opener in 12 of his 16 test appearances, hasn’t often succeeded in the role. 2.5 Kane Williamson: 77 runs at 19.25 After three tons against the second-string South Africans, the former test captain was expected to lead the fight against Australia, but his run-out at the Basin Reserve was a shocker which set a tone the hosts never fully recovered from. Looked poised to play a huge role in the second dig at Hagley until undone by Pat Cummins. 3.5 Rachin Ravindra: 145 runs at 36.25; one wicket at 26.
Guilty of too many soft dismissals, particularly for a No 4. The left-hander is obviously a strokemaker, and when he can find the perfect balance between attack and defence that brought him secondinnings half-centuries in Wellington and Christchurch, should be a major force.
Daryl Mitchell: 111 runs at 27.75 Fought hard as expected in the second innings at the Basin, while – like most of his fellow batters – his best showing came in the second innings at Hagley, but wasn’t enough to be decisive. 4.5
Tom Blundell: 64 runs at 16; seven catches and a stumping
It’s now been a lengthy barren spell with the bat for the Black Caps wicketkeeper, and while he’ll still be the No 1 glovesman come tests in the subcontinent later this year, his failures with the bat are hurting the side. Might benefit from slipping to No 7. Work behind the stumps was competent.
3
Glenn Phillips: 90 runs at 22.5; six wickets at 14.33
Disappointed with the bat after leading the way initially in Wellington. May be better off at least one place higher in the order. His off-spin continues to be a massive boost to the side, and his athletic brilliance in the field is currently unparalleled.
Scott Kuggeleijn: Two wickets at 65.5; 70 runs at 17.5
Was rated by the selection group as the next cab off the rank with Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke sidelined, but the suspicion was he was short of elite level, and so it seemed. His lower-order runs in the second innings in Christchurch should have been more relevant.
Matt Henry: 17 wickets at 15.7; 101 runs at 25.25
The standout for the hosts from day one of the series. Continues to revel in the added responsibility as senior member of the bowling group, added handy runs despite the tendency to back away against the quicks and deserved to be on the winning side in Christchurch. 8.5
Tim Southee: Four wickets at 61.25; 34 runs at 8.5
Had Ravindra held the catch offered by Mitch Marsh at the start of day four, the narrative around the captain might have altered by the end of his 100th test. But another tepid showing following a similar minimal return against understrength South Africa clearly puts a question mark over the future of the country’s secondgreatest wicket-taker. 2.5
Will O’Rourke: Two wickets at 49 Clearly found Australia tougher than the second-string Proteas at the Basin but still looked highly capable at this level until injury struck. Should have a lengthy test career if he stays fit.
Ben Sears: Five wickets at 32.2 O’Rourke’s replacement for the second test showed in the second innings exactly why there had been a great deal of expectation over the development of the pace bowler. Rapid enough to hurry up world-class batters and looks equipped with the right temperament too. 6.5