A Beginner's Guide To The Blackcaps

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Jeet Raval

28yrs. Born in India, reppin' Auckland. 

Older than his opening partner in age, younger in experience. Raval has shown that he's a classy trooper in domestic cricket, so now we're in the process of giving him time to suss out Test cricket - in the hardest position to do so. He'll leave and defend all day, so don't judge him on how many times he goes big, judge Raval on how many balls he faces or how many innings' he protects Kane Williamson from the new-ball.

Tom Latham

24yrs. Christchurch 4 lyf.

The third best batsman in the team and kiwis are thanking Jah that their third best batsman is an opener. Latham is well versed in leaving deliveries that he doesn't need to wave his willow at and then pouncing on anything too straight, or too full. As long as the Blackcaps have Latham and the following batsmen in their team, they will be a steady Test team.

Kane Williamson

26yrs. Tauranga 4 lyf.

Kane Williamson, the great. The greatest cricketer Aotearoa will produce, until another freaky freak comes along.

Ross Taylor

32yrs. Low key reppin' Samoa.

The classy veteran lending a hand to the young phenom Williamson's leadership. Taylor plays a crucial leadership role, while also forming a one-two-three punch with Latham and Williamson that should produce the bulk of the Blackcaps' runs more often than not.

Henry Nicholls

25yrs. Possibly Tom Latham's best friend (Chch).

The most contentious selection in the Blackcaps for many, I refuse to judge Test players until they have rolled through at least 15 Test matches (preferably 20). By that time, Nicholls' place in the team will be under more pressure thanks to an uprising of young cricketers throughout Aotearoa and it's Nicholls' spot that will come under fire. The lad gives his all to the team and should slide under the radar in the mean time, with pressure on Williamson and Taylor to lead the way.

Mitchell Santner

24yrs. Hamilton - the glorious.

Santner is the Blackcaps numero uno Test spinner and is very similar to Daniel Vetorri in how he goes about firing in some left-arm spin. While he's not a match-winning spinner, Santner keeps things tight with the ball and can score a few runs which has him holding down a position in the batting line up that is largely thanks to his potential.  In seaming conditions Santner is a great asset as he builds pressure, but there does seem to be a ceiling on Santner's ability as an attacking spinner.

BJ Watling

31yrs. Born in South Africa and for some reason his whanau moved to Hamilton.

A veteran of the team, Watling is the team's wicket-keeper and he does this job without fault. Watling has also earned a reputation for his gritty batting down the order, although with many young wicket-keeper/batsmen simmering away in domestic cricket, there's a fair chance that there's a bit of competition for Watling's spot in the next 12-18 months.

Colin de Grandhomme

30yrs. Born in Zimbabwe and following many other Africans to Auckland.

A long-term all-rounder spot is there for the taking and de Grandhomme is graced with an opportunity to make that spot his own, with his nibbly seamers and whacking of a cricket ball. Aotearoa has no shortage of all-rounders, so while we've got to give de Grandhomme a decent crack at Test cricket - more specifically how to tranlaste his batting style and medium-pace skills to the Test arena - if de Grandhomme doesn't show progress in his development, he'll lose his spot soon enough. Otherwise, de Grandhomme turns into a match-winning all-rounder full of funk.

Tim Southee

28yrs. Northland's finest.

One of a few Blackcaps that the public love to dislike, Southee has apparently failed to live up to expectations with the bat but that's all good. In favourable conditions, Southee's out-swing to a right-handed batsman is lethal and his work in all formats demands a certain level of respect, respect that will raise the bar of young bowlers trying to put pressure on Southee's new-ball Test spot. As long as Southee is playing, the Blackcaps will do well in Aotearoa.

Neil Wagner

30yrs. Born in South Africa, reppin' the Dirty South (Dunedin).

The Blackcaps hit-man. Give Wagner the ball and he's going to get a wicket, probably thanks to a barrage of short-pitch bowling, while also offering the ability to swing the ball both ways at a decent pace when he wants to. Many believe that Wagner is the best seamer in the team thanks to his plan of attack and that's saying a bit about the Blackcaps bowling stocks when you consider the regard in which Southee and Trent Boult are held.

Trent Boult

27yrs. Born in Roto-vegas, settling in Tauranga where he and Kane Williamson terrorize citizens.

Sorry - as long as Southee and Boult are playing, the Blackcaps will do well in Aotearoa. Boult is pretty much the left-arm version of Southee as he gets all sorts of swing and nibble, just with a splash of extra pace compared to Southee.