Nothing about Neil Wagner's antics yesterday in his local Bay of Plenty abode was new to kiwi sports fans, nor cricket fans around the world. We have come to expect Wagner's borderline alien ability to steam in and take pleasure in the grit of Test cricket bowling, so as Wagner got through his up-wind overs with a mangled toe his legend as a kiwi cricket Tumatauenga (Maori god of war) hit a whole nek level.

Among the various headlines that are squeezed out of such feats, I again found myself falling into the standard nature of Aotearoa sports that were evident in Wagner's grind and more to the point the Blackcaps team who fit into how Aotearoa is represented via sport. The most insight yarns spun by Wagner after yesterday's play zoned in on the hearty team-first vibe of Aotearoa sports and immense gratitude in representing Aotearoa; from that gratitude blokes like Wagner pour their soul into their performances because "Test matches don't come easy, playing for your country is never anything you can take for granted".

Along the same lines...

"It's one of those things, just gotta find a way and deal with it and bowl for your mates"

"I just have to find a way to still be able to contribute to the team, there is still a role to play"

"It comes down to team, there is still a way of contributing to them, can't sit on the side and watch the boys do all the hard work"

"It's sore and bloody uncomfortable, it's just one of those things you gotta deal with and I still felt that I don't want to let my team mates down"

The Niche Cache operates under the premise that Aotearoa is the best sports nation in the world and our duty, is merely to provide good information for kiwi sports fans. We are deep in the mangroves following the ever-growing group of kiwis who are performing at the highest levels of their sport, we tune into what they are up to and also understanding how those folks/teams fit into the wider context of their sport or competition/nation they compete in.

Having been on this mission for a bunch of years, take it as fact that Aotearoa is an incredibly unique sporting nation. From grassroots structure and the plethora of sports on offer for the tamariki, to how kiwis represent Aotearoa while being among the best at what they do.

We all know and appreciate who Wagner is and what he does. Don't overlook the wider context or mechanisms that Wagner (in this specific example) fits into though as Wagner is not alone in Blackcaps cricketers who routinely put the team first, who play every Test as if it is their last and simply love being part of a fun team. Aotearoa is the greatest sporting nation in the world, because of this.

The Blackcaps are the nicest Test team in the world right?

Chur to the Blackcaps, but that's them being in alignment with Aotearoa sport. Just like how Wagner's character fits into the Blackcaps culture, the Blackcaps fit into the wider Aotearoa sports culture. When watching the Blackcaps play Test cricket, you'll see wicket-keeper Tom Blundell flying around the outfield.

You'll see and hear Trent Boult using his manners.

You'll see Kane Williamson pick up the ball and serve it to a fielder after another forward-defensive mattress.

You'll see autographs sessions interrupt play.

You'll hear Tim Southee tell Wanger to "relax mate" as he did yesterday when Wagner got a bit too fizzed up in hurling the ball back to Southee.

Southee's literally the only bloke who can and would tell Wagner to chill the fuck out. That's as much the kiwi vibe of sport as all the cute stuff and the ability of the Blackcaps and Aotearoa sports to balance the extreme competitive element of high level sport, with sharing information off the field and being good blokes/wahine off the field is what makes us who we are.

These Blackcaps never take a Test for granted.

Aotearoa's kiwi folk can never take our sporting culture for granted.

Mitchell Santner's last Test was Boxing Day at the MCG, exactly a year ago. After being a rather consistent selection despite not snaring big wickets as the Test spinner, Santner was one of the many victims of the niggly tour of Australia and many folks didn't have another Test opportunity on Santner's radar any time soon. Again, don't take these things for granted folks.

After three Tests in 2015, Santner played 5+ Tests in each of the next three years. Santner has averaged 30+ with the ball in all four of those years, peaking with 96.80avg last year through five Tests. For someone who has batted in the top-four for Northern Districts Knights, Santner's batting in Test cricket is fairly similar to his bowling as three 50+ scores in 30inns is solid without commanding the consistent opportunities Santner received.

The thing with Santner though, is that he looks so good ... at everything. Santner's left-arm spin looks juicy as it drifts through the air, pace variations and decent grip off the pitch included. Santner plays strokes all around the park with ease and as we saw yesterday, Santner is a beast in the field. Santner makes everything on a cricket field look easy.

Only someone with the nickname 'Slink' could do this right?

Santner's speed across the turf is rather freaky for someone with his frame, then everything about the execution of his pick up and throw is excessively 'slinky'.

So, have we come full circle with Santner? Unfortunately for Ajaz Patel, an injury and lack of cricket saw him miss out on Test selection and while we can all chat about who the best Aotearoa Test spinner is, I don't believe that is the point when playing Test cricket in Aotearoa. At some point, the Blackcaps have to step up and win Tests overseas, or at the very least be able to snare grizzly draws when a loss is in the mix. Forget Test rankings and all of that as it's all about the full steak and cheese.

At some point, the best pure spin bowlers will shine. The Bay Oval pitch has quickly become the pitch in Aotearoa that is most conducive to spin bowling and kiwis should be celebrating that as it makes Test cricket so much more funky - anyone else got a wee fizz going to see Yasir Shah rip his leggies?

Given that, a pure spinner could get a crack at the Bay Oval. Santner is a baller though, a gamer who can do a bit of everything with his splash if panache, without being a dominant force and such a cricketer could be perfect for what the Blackcaps need in Aotearoa. If the pitch offers some spin, even better. I enjoy watching Santner play cricket and while I poke many holes in squad selections and explanations for squad selections that make zero sense, I try to just deal with the parameters on offer; consider this a warning if you hate Santner as he has probably slipped back into consistent selection.

At the time of writing on Tuesday morning...

Kane Williamson has scored 2+ centuries in four consecutive years, averaging 50+ in four consecutive years. Williamson averages 63.01 in Aotearoa, through 40 Tests.

Ross Taylor has a 50+ score in every year since 2008. Taylor averages 54.81 in Aotearoa, through 51 Tests.

Henry Nicholls this summer: 87 (PS), 76 (Aotearoa 'A'), 43* (FT), 7, 174 (West Indies), 56 (Pakistan).

BJ Watling has a 50+ score in every year since 2013. Watling averages 44.02 with Williamson as captain.

In 2020, Trent Boult has 53 runs @ 115.21sr.

In 2020, Wagner is averaging 35.33 with the bat.

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Peace and love.