Losing a game of
cricket is not a big deal but when you lose against an opponent who has been
substandard over a long period of time, who has shown little signs of
improvement and who has lacked the consistency to be a good Test team for almost two decades, then the loss do
damage to your reputation, this is what has happened with New Zealand Cricket
A Dejected Tom Latham walks out after losing against Bangladesh - Jan 5th 2022
January 5th 2022, New Zealand
lost their first Test against Bangladesh, what was even more heart wrenching
this came on home soil. Winning and losing are part and parcel of the game but
when you lose against an opposition whom you know could have defeated
easily then the loss becomes even more concerning. Lets us dig some facts to understand why the
statement has been made:
·
In 21 Years and 2
Months since they became Test member, Bangladesh have played 126 Tests and won
15 and lost 94 before this Test, the worst ratio of win and loss among 12
nations, who have played cricket.
·
During this span they
have played 59 Tests outside Bangladesh and won only 5 and ended up losing 50
of them.
Number of examples could be given by the
people who suggest that other teams also struggled similarly like New Zealand,
India and currently Zimbabwe. The truth
is though different. Zimbabwe has suffered huge political instability which has
heavily affected them and since 2004 they have been fighting for survival
only. On the other hand Bangladesh is
benefitted being in Asia where Cricket has huge popularity and in spite of the
money and talent they have lagged behind.
India played 126 Tests in 40 years (1932-1972)
winning 18 and losing 50 of them while New Zealand played 127 Tests in 47 years
(1930-1977) winning 9 and losing 59 of them, the win loss ration being 0.15
compared to Bangladesh’s 0.17. However
in spite of these facts the truth has been that New Zealand has been a better
team, with a small base of only 25 lakh population they have rose above all the
challenges and have started to improve from 1965 onwards, On the other hand
Bangladesh have shown number of false promises as a Test team, they won first
time in 2005, then away win in 2009 and 2013 but they have never been able to fullfill these promises as a Test team outside the country. Apart from this their impressive performance
at home between 2014-2018 have also declined in last 3 years.
They lost against Afghanistan, last month
they lost a Test against Pakistan within two days after which questions were
asked about how serious Bangladesh are about Test Cricket. When the Test
started it was predicted that they will be rolled over and it was not done going
over the board. Bangladesh has a test
batting line up which does not boast any confidence and a pace bowling line up
where one of the bowler has average over 80 after 11 Tests . But New Zealand
did paid the price of underestimating Bangladesh, they were out only for 328
and 169 and the bowling couldn’t stop Bangladesh scoring 458. In the end New
Zealand suffered one of the darkest days in their Test History.
A look at some of the lows of New Zealand Cricket
1.
Losing to Bangladesh
– in New Zealand – 2022 – There are many moments which could be termed as dark
chapters of New Zealand Cricket but nothing comes closer to this loss against a
struggling Test side which does not boast any promise for future as well.
Compounding with all this, a loss on home soil, where the team has proud record
could be termed as the darkest hour in New Zealand cricket.
2.
Losing to Sri Lanka
- McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand –
1995 - New Zealand in mid 1990s’ were
going through rough patch but everybody expected them to raise their game high,
however the whole of the season turned
into nightmare as they stumbled after one loss to another. But the arrival of
Sri Lanka was deemed to be soothing balm on these looses but in reality the
season got even more worse as Ken Rutherford’s men lost the test against Sri
Lanka. The win at Napier on March 15th 1995 was the first time when
Sri Lanka won a Test on foreign soil.
New Zealand Coach late John F. Ried putting head down after his side was gunned down
for 109 - McLean Park, Napier- 12th March 1995
3.
Getting out for 26
against England, Eden Park, Auckland-1955- Those were early days in New Zealand
Cricket but getting out for 26 is something that still could be termed as one
of the lowest in New Zealand cricket’s history. It is an unwanted record that
New Zealand still holds after 67 years.
March 28, 1955- New Zealand were shot down for only 26 at Eden Park, Auckland
4.
Losing by an innings
and 322 runs –Basin Reserve- Wellington -1995- After a fighting draw at
Lancaster Park, Christchurch in the first Test, the team was expected to give a
stern fight to the West Indians but the Test at Basin Reserve in February 1995
turned horrible for the home team. They were beaten badly in every department
and by the time the demolishment job was completed by an excellent Courtney
Walsh who took 13 wickets for 55 runs in the Test, New Zealand had lost by an
Innings and 322 Runs.
 |
| Courtnet Walsh an his men enjoy an emphatic win at Basin Reserve - 13th Feb 1995 |
Whatever the lows have been the loss
against Bangladesh will sting for long period of time especially for a team
which is Test World Champion. The loss
have been itched as one of the darkest moments in Country’ cricket history.
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