The Black Caps are World Test Champions. Photo / Photosport
The Black Caps are World Test Champions. Photo / Photosport
Niall Anderson rates how the Black Caps performed in their World Test Championship victory.
Tom Latham – 7
Tom Latham. Photo / Photosport
Scores of 30 and nine might not look impressive, but his contributions to opening partnerships of 70 and 33 were pivotal in taking pressure off his fellow batsmen. His five catches includedsome excellent grabs, underlining his value as New Zealand's best and most versatile fielder.
Top-scored in the match with his first-innings 54 before seeing off the new ball with a handier-than-it-looked 19 in the second innings. The first of many World Test Championship runs.
Kane Williamson - 10
Kane Williamson. Photo / Getty
Sensational. Battled for the greatest 49 he'll ever score in the first innings, grafting out 177 balls as others fell around him to eventually push New Zealand to a crucial first-innings lead. He also produced some stellar captaincy, with precise field settings leading to catches that made him look like Nostradamus, and utilised his bowlers with maximum efficiency. Was there any surprise that the skipper would be unbeaten on 52 to see New Zealand home?
Ross Taylor – 7
Ross Taylor. Photo / Photosport
If this was his last test, then what a way to finish. Overcoming recent struggles for form, he produced his most assured innings when it mattered most, with a fighting second-innings knock ending in fitting fashion, as New Zealand's top test runscorer hit the winning runs.
Henry Nicholls – 5
Henry Nicholls. Photo / Getty
Could only muster seven in his one turn at bat but was responsible for the moment where it became obvious New Zealand were going to win. Running backwards from gully, he took a stellar catch over his shoulder to remove Rishabh Pant, and pointed at the vocal Indian fans with a clear message – this was New Zealand's trophy.
BJ Watling – 5
BJ Watling. Photo / Photosport
His performance with the bat indicated that he picked the right time to retire, but his performance with the gloves showed why he'll be so sorely missed. A spotless first innings behind the stumps was coupled by a gutsy second innings where he pushed through a dislocated finger to continue keeping. A fitting end to the career of one of New Zealand's greats.
Colin de Grandhomme – 4
Colin de Grandhomme. Photo / Photosport
Slightly off target with the ball in the first innings and unused in the second but his 13 with the bat was strangely important in turning the tide. After Taylor, Nicholls and Watling had fallen in quick succession, he joined Williamson to add an extremely handy 27 for the sixth wicket, being the first to display the positive intent that those to come copied. India were forced to take their foot off the gas, and New Zealand cashed in for a first-innings lead.
A generational talent. His first-innings 5-31 made sure India wouldn't get away to a big score, and when he removed Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara early on day six, it was well and truly game on. In between, he produced a handy cameo of 21, and his test bowling figures – 46-22-61-7 - will go down as one of the great New Zealand bowling performances. Tougher pitches and conditions await, but there's little to doubt the rising superstar of New Zealand cricket.
Tim Southee – 9
Tim Southee. Photo / Getty
Unfairly maligned for his batting, his 30 off 46 balls in the first innings was stunningly crucial to what was to follow, being the key figure in the tail as New Zealand ground out a significant first-innings lead. He then removed both India's openers before stumps on day five, to ensure the test headed to a thrilling conclusion.
Neil Wagner – 8
Neil Wagner. Photo / Getty
Lion-hearted as ever, mixing up his usual short-ball barrage with some quality line-and-length bowling to take two key wickets in India's first innings, and ending their last recognised partnership in the second with the big scalp of Ravindra Jadeja.
Trent Boult – 8
Trent Boult. Photo / Photosport
Not quite at his brilliant best but still managed to remove Pujara and Jadeja in the first innings, then took the wickets that spelt doom for India in the second, strangling Ajinkya Rahane down the leg side before dismissing Pant, and then Ravichandran Ashwin two balls later, to set New Zealand on their course to glory.
