Aotearoa vs Pakistan: Test Summer Over
For those who have been tapped in on Aotearoa Blackcaps Test matters for the past five years, the 2020/21 Test summer saw the same consistent domination of touring teams that we seen served up each summer. Not only have the Blackcaps steadily rolled through various opponents and jacked up all sorts of enticing statistical feats, throughout this time there have been packed grounds at a wide variety of Test venues. While Aotearoa has had minimal Test cricket during this time, the support of Test cricket in Aotearoa has never waivered.
The last few days felt different though. Not a whole lot about the Blackcaps performances were different and no matter what hype is thrown your way by various voices, it's been rinse and repeat each summer in the Test whites as far as kiwi support and Blackcaps performances go. So why did these Tests vs Pakistan feel different?
Throughout this period of disgustingly beautiful Blackcaps cricket, I've tried to articulate that which can't be measured. Various bits and bobs pop up that offer an insight into how the Blackcaps operate, forming anecdotes that were always niggly to write about as I was building this puzzle in my scattered sports brain. The performances have been tremendous on the surface, while beneath the surface the Blackcaps have been growing a culture within their group and as with any great sporting/team bacteria, all that is required are the right conditions and time.
Things feel different right now because we are seeing the work done within the group manifested outwards for all to enjoy. I view team culture as a vital element of Aotearoa sport and while some throw it up as a cliche, for whatever reason I'm all in on developing culture and early in 2020 for example, I wrote about the emerging City Kickboxing team culture; easiest to understand when comparing team culture to bacteria culture in yoghurt and what not.
The Blackcaps aren't at an All Blacks level, nor are many teams around the world. Melbourne Storm are celebrated by the Niche Cache as culture leaders and after they won another NRL championship, I broke down the connection between Melbourne Storm and All Blacks. No coincidence there. The Blackcaps have done immense work in developing their own culture and with a settled group of experienced cricketers, they have not only blasted their way up the kiwi sports team culture charts, they lead the cricketing world in this regard.
In theory, two Tests against a touring Pakistan team that tends to struggle in Aotearoa and also endured various lockdown shenanigans shouldn't feel as lovely as it does. That's because all the mahi done on laying the foundations of what this team wants to be under Kane Williamson, was evident in a fun, vibrant, hearty, ruthless Blackcaps team. This is a Blackcaps team that is comfortable in who they are, what they do and how they want to conduct themselves.
Best Blackcaps culture vibes I've ever experienced? Yup.
Is Kane Williamson the top-notch Aotearoa sports hero right now? Yup.
Aotearoa has many sporting heroes in Aotearoa and around the world. Being deep in the Aotearoa sporting excellence mangroves, I do not believe anyone is challenging Williamson for that title and while timing and chance are factors, Williamson's ability to keep hitting nek levels as a cricketer, leader and bloke are also factors.
No current All Black is in the same realm as Dan Carter, Richie McCaw or Kieran Read (let alone Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu etc etc). That's pure timing and no matter how you view the All Blacks, no All Black is doing what Williamson is right now. Usually, All Blacks are closer to such a status because of their visibility within Aotearoa and Williamson's doing all his stuff front and centre for kiwis to see and feel. Sophie Devine's the closest cricket example in Aotearoa, Israel Adesanya is right there in the mix as well.
Of course, Aotearoa's sporting exports are in the discussion. Abby Erceg, Steven Adams, Lydia Ko and even the festering talents of Brandon Smith over in Melbourne are in the mix. You'll have your own kiwis to throw into the mix and the purpose here is to open minds to all of Aotearoa's sporting excellence that tends to get overlooked. Kane Williamson is the top-notch Aotearoa sports hero to lead them all.
The most important thing to know about Williamson is that his 2020 was all about lockdown and Indian Premier League. A Williamson lockdown would have included thousands (??) or throwdowns or deliveries faced and given how busy Williamson is, time spent surfing, doing yoga, meditating and generally kicking back would have been beneficial; cricket practice and soul practice.
Williamson then went to the IPL in September to play his first hardcore game of cricket since returning swiftly from Australia in March. Scoring 317 runs @ 45.28avg/133.75sr, Williamson didn't quite have his best IPL campaign but a low key amazing IPL before returning to Aotearoa. On November 8th, Williamson play his last IPL game having scored 50 and 67 to finish the tournament and then, on December 3rd Williamson came to the crease to start his knock of 251 vs West Indies.
On a diet of T20 and Test cricket, Williamson excelled.
Combine Williamson's IPL and two T20I games vs Pakistan to get 375 runs @ 132.50sr in post-lockdown T20 cricket.
That was followed by 639 Test runs @ 159.75avg/57.77sr, scoring two double-hundies and a century in his 4inns.
Williamson had an ODI average of 59.25 in a World Cup year (2019). We've had minimal ODI cricket to consume, which is kinda annoying but gave us this chance to see Williamson thrive in two formats that tend not to compliment each other. Williamson's Test summer has been bonkers, just know that all he was playing before this summer was T20 cricket and yeah - mind blown.
The other lingering thought from these recent Tests is what opposition batsmen now face when coming to Aotearoa. It's one type of challenge to venture down to the best sporting nation in the world, knowing that Tim Southee and Trent Boult are going to be swinging, seaming and sizzling. Very few batsmen can handle that first and foremost, hence Aotearoa dominates touring teams and specifically those who don't face so much swing/seam in their home nation.
Right now, batsmen better have those skills to face the moving ball and perhaps some counters to the short ball. Just like the brewing culture, such an idea has been present with Neil Wagner in recent years and now there is the Wagner/Kyle Jamieson double-banger to contend with. The best way I can lay this out is to put yourself in a batsmen's pads as they prepare to tour Aotearoa and ponder the challenge that awaits you. What do you need to work on? What is your focus and mentality going to be?
From a kiwi perspective, touring batsmen need to be able to leave, defend and keep their hands close to them - don't chase deliveries. Touring batsmen also need a comprehensive package of tactics against the short ball. Duck and sway is a good start. Maybe you're a tough bugger who can repeatedly take deliveries to the elbow. Attack the short ball? Of course, the best way to combat the Blackcaps is to put pressure on them with counter-attacks ... just don't hit or miss-hit that short ball down to any number of fielders waiting for you.
What a nightmare. Throughout the last five years, touring batsmen have had their techniques and mindsets ripped apart by the Blackacps bowlers and coaching staff. Now, Jamieson is on the scene and this bloke is a combination of both with his swing/seam super tricky to deal with and then his ability to bowl short from a good-ish length.
Since January 1st 2020, Jamieson is 2nd in wickets of all Test bowlers around the world. Jamieson has 36 wickets @ 13.27avg/2.38rpo in six Tests and England seamer Stuart Broad leads all wicket-takers with 38w @ 14.76avg/2.31rpo. Jamieson has bowled 200.2 overs, while Broad has 242.5 overs and that's why Jamieson's average is superior.
The best mark of Blackcaps culture is how different blokes are plugged in to any role and how they tend to perform from that. Last summer I consistently referred to how Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell and Jamieson stepped up in Test opportunities as a mark of a solid team culture. This summer, it was evident in a similar way with Mitchell scoring runs and Matt Henry doing his job in Christchurch for the team, plus Will Young looked like a Test cricketer. There is no friction between a new-ish bloke and the need for him to give his best for the team.
Take it a step further and this is also evident in how these lads, plus the likes of Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling play their roles. Any team member can be mentioned here, it's fitting to finish with Nicholls as an example given that regardless of who might be next up in the Test production line, Nicholls is trusted by his team as having the skills to do the job at Test cricket. Ponder all the variations of roles that Nicholls could play when batting and he now has a proven track-record of being flexible and capable at the highest level.
As far as talent goes, this is a dynamic group of kiwi cricketers. More importantly, this is a group of blokes who have been together for a while and know what each other is capable of. 'Just do you job' and 'clear roles' are staples of any positive team culture, which is made much easier when you know that those around you can be trusted to do their job. In wrapping up the Test summer, the Blackcaps have developed their recipe for success and no Blackcaps Test team has been better equipped for overseas success than this group.
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Peace and love.