The secret of their success: How the Black Caps went from easy-beats to record-breakers

The Black Caps huddle together on day three of the First Test match against Sri Lanka on December 28 in Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images

Brendon McCullum probably still shudders at the memory - 45 all out, January 2, 2013, Newlands, Cape Town. Still, there was only one way to go from that nadir for the new regime of captain McCullum and coach Mike Hesson.

If they looked in the mirror now - and that's the sort of thing the management would doubtless discourage - they'd like what they see.

Six successive test series either won or drawn speaks loudly of the change in thinking, and performance.

If they did glance at the scorecard from Cape Town, they'd see just four names surviving - McCullum, Kane Williamson, wicketkeeper BJ Watling and swing man Trent Boult - although Tim Southee, Boult's new ball compadre, was unavailable for the trip.

Those two defeats in South Africa, by an innings and 27 runs then an innings and 193, prompted them to sit down and do some hard thinking.

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"We knew we had to make changes, not just internal, but from an external point of view and the public who cared about this team," McCullum said.

"I can only say the guys within the group made those changes. It was essential we wanted the public support, and the best way to get that is to go out and represent New Zealand with all you've got."

McCullum, the tough kid from south Dunedin, isn't prone to sentimentality or mawkishness but get him talking about the pride in playing for New Zealand and he gets wound up. "We've got champion fellows within the group," he said.

He talks about players made of the right stuff, with the attitude to get the best outcome. Players who weren't deemed to possess those qualities were quietly moved aside.

McCullum will happily point out his team has several leaders. Responsibility doesn't rest just with him.

Southee, the senior figure among the bowling group, is one he cites as a key player within the dressing room. Williamson, the young man who will surely surpass Martin Crowe's records - probably after Ross Taylor ... but you get the drift. And wicketkeeper BJ Watling is becoming what good glovemen are, part of the organisational set-up.

"We have guys in this group who are not necessarily old in terms of age, but are very experienced and strong leaders, and that's a nice dynamic to have," McCullum said.

"I firmly believe some of the changes we've made have definitely started to flow into performances and it's nice when you get results to confirm that."

Those changes have included personnel and mindset as well as improved preparation and attention to detail when it comes to opponents.

Inspiration is drawn from teammates, such as Neil Wagner firing up for an 11-over spell on the second afternoon against Sri Lanka, after New Zealand had enforced the follow-on at Hagley Oval on Saturday. If he can keep charging in ...

"A huge catalyst for our performance turnaround is the way we're operating as a group and individuals and the respect we're trying to show the game and the people who support this team," McCullum said.

He is unashamedly "immensely proud" of what the players have achieved and, by extension, how the turnaround from Newlands has been achieved.

Boult sits at No 9 in the world bowling rankings and Southee No 10. Among the batsmen Ross Taylor is at No 10, Williamson at No 12 and McCullum two spots lower.

But McCullum points to the notable contributions to the overall package by those who don't sit among the high flyers, such as Tom Latham in the UAE, Wagner in the win in Barbados and offspinner Mark Craig's first few months in the national side.

Having found the path out of the wilderness, it's all about keeping the bus moving forward on the right road.