Cricket: NZ send a message to the future

New Zealand's display reinforced that they believe it's better to play with joie de vivre and be a desirable global commodity than beg for scraps of attention and sympathy. Photo / AP

Black Caps' revolutionary style offers riveting brand of cricketing theatre.

New Zealand's 199-run second test win to level the series with England produced theatre which has enhanced the country's status on the international cricketing stage.

In the post-future tours programme era, generated by the big three of Australia, India and England, bilateral series will become de rigueur. Who wouldn't want to play New Zealand?

Win, and you defeat one of the world's most dashing teams; lose, and you've witnessed cricket at a tempo difficult to emulate but spectacular to watch.

A team that can score 1547 runs at 4.27 per over and deliver 40 wickets through pace and spin, as NZ did across the two tests, provide entertainment to captivate fans.

At No 4 in the rankings, it is not hyperbole to suggest their revolutionary brand means extra away tests can be bargained. Four slips and a gully? No problem. Eight batsmen out of 10 hitting sixes in the second innings? Sweet. Pitch it up and let it swing? Ka pai. Attrition is out, aggression is in.

The usually objective sanctuary of the English media box ooh-ed and aah-ed as New Zealand unleashed their arsenal of skills. Fans can appreciate a team enacting the vision of captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson by clicking through turnstiles or turning on televisions, regardless of result.

McCullum's team have sent a message to the future rather than the past. Their style comes with a risk, but not at casino-like odds. Better to play with joie de vivre and be a desirable global commodity than beg for scraps of attention and pity.

Each team member contributed significant runs or wickets at Headingley. No one could feel empty with their personal showing.

McCullum insisted they could play the game the same way they did at Lord's, after seeing that test slip from their control on the fourth day. The skipper faced opprobrium in the interim, but can feel vindicated.

"[The approach at] Lord's was certainly how we want to play, but we were beaten by a better team. It's not easy to remain true to your beliefs when you're under pressure at 1-0 down in a two-test series with a proud record [of six undefeated series].

"At times we were behind, but we pushed on with aggressive intent. That gives us our greatest chance. It's not always going to come off, but we know how to win tests when we play like this.

"You only get one crack at this [lifestyle playing international cricket] so you may as well play with freedom and enjoy it while you can."

Both captains agreed a third test would be welcome but accepted it was in administrators' hands. "We've got to earn the right," McCullum said. "Our performances over a period haven't been good enough to demand longer test series."

"If you were a boxing promoter you'd be asking for a re-match right now," Alastair Cook said.

New Zealand Cricket must seize on this to ink in future series while the going is so good.

#Ford, the driving force behind the Black Caps