Mark Richardson: Season worth a C pass

It's report card time and I'm afraid I can grade the international season as only a C. It's a pass mark which is the result of a C-plus in one-day internationals (ODIs) and a C-minus in tests.

On straight stats alone, I'm a tough task-master, given the score line in ODIs reads 12-9 in favour and in test matches 4-2 in favour, but the problem is the same mistakes are being repeated - at-the-death bowling, opening batting in tests, problems with pace, winning only at home, lacking penetration without Shane Bond and, most disturbingly, losing when we should win.

There were positives - let's not overlook a healthy number of wins on the ledger, but the all-important UWTBB exams (Up With The Big Boys) were failed.

The ODI season began well in October with a win in the Videocon tri-series. Considering the hosts were Zimbabwe it was always going to be out of New Zealand and India and a score line against India of 2-1 in our favour was promising. South Africa then whitewashed us four zip. Domestically the Chappell-Hadlee series was a humdinger, which was lost 2-1 but the one was a world record chase at the time.

Sri Lanka and the West Indies were humbled 3-1 and 4-1 respectively. On results alone, I was tempted to hand out a B but when I looked at the workings I was forced to be a little reserved.

India at the Videocon, yes, good, but South Africa was a nasty turn of events which set a theme for the rest of the summer - "should have been". That result could have, and should have, been the other way round. Hats off for the home games, but I'm going to be harsh.

In the Chappell-Hadlee, the first game was diabolical, the second an astonishing turnaround but lost from a position of victory. That great record chase was against a bowling attack which should never play for Australia again.

Sri Lanka always struggle in New Zealand and the West Indies were Lara-less, directionless and hopeless. At least one of those series should have been whitewashed. It's a harsh appraisal, yes, but this New Zealand team has real potential in the ODI arena and I simply want more.

In test matches, the positive way to look at it is that the Black Caps beat the guys they should have. Zimbabwe should be thrashed and were. Our team took the chance to get a few good boots into the fallen bully boy of the old schoolyard - the West Indies - but the real test of our test powers came right at the end of the season... and it was failed.

The 2-0 loss in South Africa reaffirmed our team has not moved forwards in the pure form of the game. Just like many test matches over the past couple of years, the team worked itself into winning positions but could not close the deal. We are also no closer to solving the crucial opening issues.