THE TEST WORLD CUP WINNERS – NEW ZEALAND

 

World Cup (Tests) Winners 2021- New Zealand Team with Test Mace 

 

On 23^rd June 2021, Kane Williamson’s men itched their name with golden letters in the world cricket, not only they became the first team from the country to win a World Cup (Tests) but with this they have become the inaugural champion of the World Test Championship billed as Test World Cup

 

As the clock ticked 6.35 pm GST, Ross Taylor smashed a Mohammad Shami delivery for four to square leg boundary, the Kiwis in the dressing room, in the stadium and thousands miles away in the New Zealand spurred in a celebration never seen before. Kane Williamson’s men have won inaugural World Test Championship thereby taking New Zealand to its first ever World Cup Title (Tests). This could be termed as the pinnacle of New Zealand cricket.

The Final which was billed as “Ultimate Test” saw both the sides, India and New Zealand involved in a topsy turvey contest until the last day when New Zealand punched the final blow with their pace battery pounding the Indian batting with seam, swing, bounce and planning. Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson were relentless while Neil Wagner could be seen as fully pumped up.

                     Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner (Left to Right)                                        has formed formidable pace attack

In spite of this when New Zealand were 44-2, chasing a target of 139, India were well into it as Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling beautifully. Ross Taylor who has not been in the best of the forms infused all his experience in the situation and with skipper Kane Williamson, ensured that New Zealand cross the finishing line. At the end, it was fitting that two of New Zealand’s all time greats were there in the middle when the chase was sealed. The joy and relief on Kane Williamson’s face could be seen all in once, after a heartbreaking 50-Over World Cup final in the same country, two years ago.

As rightly pointed out (even by legendry Sir Richard Hadlee) that this is New Zealand’s best ever Test team. Out of the core group of 15 at least 6 can easily walk in all time XI for the country (Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner). This is one of the prime reasons that in the last six years the team has played three big finals. They are one of the most consistent teams who have continued to top the charts during the duration.

New Zealand team taking a victory lap

The win is a perfect farewell to outgoing Wicket-keeper BJ Watling who has been pivotal in team’s success. The team’s batting has continue to grow from strength to strength as skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor has led the show and ably supported by Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling and youngsters like Devon Conway. New Zealand has made the maximum use of their limited resources. They are trying to set up strong bench strength in form of Will Young, Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell. The all-rounders like Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santaner have contributed at crucial moments during the tournament that spanned for two years (2019-2021).

The area which however ensured that New Zealand turned into a formidable force has been their pace bowling. Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner joined by Kyle Jamieson have been blowing the opposition out and in addition to it, they have Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Jacob Duffy on the bench.  Ajaz Patel’s rise has ensured that New Zealand have a bankable spinner for all conditions.

Kane Williamson has led from the front 

But the future can wait for time as it is time to celebrate the landmark  these bunch of spirited cricketers have achieved  to make New Zealand world champion in purest form of the game. This time even the destiny didn’t have in it to be cruel again to these men whose leader has taken a heart shattering defeat with smile.

For years, New Zealand have tried to perform better than expectations. After gaining Test status in 1930, it took them 26 years to register their first ever victory in 1956. Even till 1971, New Zealand players were termed as amateur, Glenn Turner was the first true professional cricketer and he led the way for next generation which included Sir Richard Hadlee, John Wright, Martin Crowe and many others.  It was during late 70s that New Zealand learnt to continuously win the Test matches. From 1980-1992, they were unbeaten at home not even the West Indies or Pakistan could beat them on home soil.

Glen Turner was New Zealand's first Professional Cricketer

It was this era during which they won against England, won in Australia, won Test in India and continued to impress everyone. Then in 90s, under a young and energetic leader, Stephan Fleming the team won its first ever major global title in form of ICC Champions Trophy in 2000. For the first time the players had separate identity from the team. Stephan Fleming, Daniel Vettori reached to 100 Tests followed by Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor.

Post 2013, under Brendon McCullum and later Kane Williamson, the team started playing a different brand of cricket which has resulted in three world cup finals and ultimately culminating in Winners of Test World Cup.

From Top to Bottom- Stewie Dempster, Jhon Reid Senior and Burt Stucliffe

                                                   were some big names in initial years 

For years, New Zealand has lost cricketers due to financial reasons, then they were happy with whatever they achieved, winning semi-final was all. They were stacked up against the countries with heavy financial rewards and strong cricket culture and facilities available. The rewards were far less, unlike the big and major nations, who celebrate day after day and sometime years because their fans want to see that special win, New Zealand cricketers are accustomed of packing bags and leaving without being noticed on road.

But then, the culture has changed, the team wants to win and defy all odds stacked against it. Yes, they have the lowest population among 12 Test nations, they have limited resources when compared to top nations or even with newbie like Bangladesh. The cricket talent pool is even smaller as cricket falls behind rugby, but that does not deters the confidence this team have in their ability, desire to win in any condition and ability to carve out any condition in their favour. The once happy go nation has emerged as ambitious, ambitious not to give fight but to win and winning with spirit of cricket.

               Sir Richard Hadlee (above) and Late Martin Crowe(bottom) were two great players 
who made New Zealand a strong team

Yes, New Zealand have won their second global title and first World Cup and this is the best team they ever had but this is not the win dedicated to one team, this is hard work of every cricketer who turned out for New Zealand. Whether it was Stewie Dempester who was New Zealand’s first great cricketer or Burt Sutcliffe who continued to take blows after blows in South Africa in 1953 when hundreds have died in disastrous train accident at home or Glen Turner or Sir Richard Hadlee, New Zealand’s two finest sons’ or Martin Crowe who died with a wish that New Zealand win a World Cup someday or Stephan Fleming or Daniel Vettori the two best captains that country had. 

The win belongs to Astle, Morrison, Cairns, Parore, Snedden, Young, Harris, Jackie Cowie, the two Rieds, Jermey Coney, McMillan, Nash, Doull, Chris Martin, Andrew Jones and so many  other cricketers who have laid the foundation by their hard work  on which this team has made up the tower of this phenomenal success.

The world has changed, New Zealand is no more semi-finalists only, they are Champions, The Test World Cup Winners. It’s time to celebrate and this time may be for generations.