It's underlined & bold because I think its worth thinking of them as a new team. This is a team that seems to believe in what they're doing & that they can achieve. Scary stuff.
Recently the Black Caps have been winning, which is awesome, but it's also a bit hard on the kiwi cricket fans nerves. Over the last ten years we've become a bit reluctant to consider ourselves favourites for anything - including com contests with perceived whipping dogs like Bangladesh (who we lost horrendously to twice now...)
Our test win against the Windies was a fresh, controlled affair that raised hopes which were further buoyed by the remarkable thrashing in the Queenstown ODI (Oscar will never forget the 36-ball 100 by Cory Anderson and thinks I too can hit sixes at will like that - he's gonna realise our back-yard taps are a bit short of the boundary very soon I fear!).
But then it came - the 200 run DEFEAT in Hamilton. Oh dear; the highs and lows of Black Caps fans. And furthermore, a loss in the 5th (fourth if you remove the rained off Napier ODI) match meant a series DRAW 2-2. Wow - where was the consistency?
All of a year ago, that would have sent the media into a spin 'Off with their heads!', "New coach or Bust" and that sort of palava - but there was barely a whimper. Why so easy on them? Surely a test series win isn't enough to silence our harsh (and battle hardened) media/critics.
Ah, the Indians are on the horizon. This'll be the litmus test.
And it has been. We've been nigh on brilliant!
Oscar & I have watched all the matches, either live (well after his bedtime - but don't tell mum!) or delayed/highlights packs. And its been unreal.
It's consistent too. Perhaps relying a little much on Messrs Taylor & Williamson a touch; but consistent all the same. Setting the target or chasing - consistent. Wow. We managed a 4-0 'Whitewash'. Not unheard of, but a long time coming (2007 I think?!?!).
So now the test series looms large on the horizon. The weather in Auckland is looking a little unfavourable (70km/hr winds and rain sound like summer cricket weather?)
We wait with baited breath. Sadly I think test matches will be lost on Oscar. Not yet Four years old and a coloured clothing fan to the core - the whites, slow run rates and lack of SIX's will probably dampen his enthusiasm a little. But he'll watch the highlights anyway.
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