Let's start from a solid footing before we sift through the debris from a 2-0 test series loss to Australia at home.
There is some really promising talent coming through.
Rachin Ravindra is at the top of that list. He is the player the Black Caps will look to build their side around during the next decade.
His knock of 82 helped the Black Caps claw their way back into the second test after they were bulldozed for an apocalyptic 162 in their first dig.
He was also the only player in the series on either side to score more than 50 twice.
The bowlers dominated, which brings us neatly to Matt Henry — if only he could have bowled at both ends.
The New Zealand seamer has spent most of his career running on the drinks, but channelled Richard Hadlee to take a series-high 17 wickets at an average 15.70.
Australia claimed the honours but Henry was named player of the series — he was that good.
He had support this summer from a couple of new names.
Great stuff on debut
Ben Sears made a big impression on test debut. He came in for the injured Will O’Rourke, who also made a splash this season.
Both players have a bit of extra pace. Sears, in particular, can generate some good heat.
Pressure ramped up
His four-wicket haul in the second innings and O’Rourke’s nine-wicket haul against South Africa have confirmed their potential at the top level and also heaped further pressure on under-fire captain Tim Southee, whose gentle pace has gradually dropped away to the point his place in the side no longer seems secure.
With just six wickets in six home tests this summer, he is just not having the impact he has previously and the pile-on has been vociferous.
Scott Kuggeleijn’s selection was a royal bust. His call-up was essentially to shorten the Black Caps’ lengthy tail and add some energy with the ball.
He also took the spot crowd favourite Neil Wagner vacated when he decided to retire (or was pushed into retirement), so he was up against it. He was barely sighted at the bowling crease when the games were on the line.
Tom Blundell — New Zealand test player of the year last summer — is another player whose spot would be up for debate if there was anyone else scoring runs. The gloveman had a poor series with the bat (64 runs at average of 16) and has gone 14 innings with reaching 50.
Will Young (39 runs at 9.75) battled hard but cannot seem to get over the hump. He is an accomplished first-class player who looks to have the skills to succeed at the top, but his spot will return to Devon Conway when he returns from a thumb injury.
Lean pickings
Conway was not in good form before he got injured, and opening partner Tom Latham’s innings of 73 in the second innings at Hagley Oval was the first time he got past 50 in 13 innings — the longest lean spell of his career.
So, to recap.
Southee out. Kuggeleijn out. Sears and O’Rourke in.
Maybe take another look at Otago’s Jacob Duffy who keeps taking first-class wickets and was ahead of Sears and O’Rourke in the pecking order until recently.
Young out. Conway in.
Blundell on notice.
The Black Caps’ next test is against Afghanistan in September and they have an away series in Sri Lanka (September-October) and India (October-November).
