So anyway;
7 tests
3 wins
2 losses
2 draws
Not bad on paper, but one of the wins was demolishing the hapless Zimbabweans on our home turf. No questions the test over in their paddock was hard fought though.
We've actually found some players this summer, and appear to be building some bowling depth. The four man pace attack was great viewing and a success wickets wise. Hobart was a special test.
Pros
Doug Bracewell
Won two tests for us. The first saving us from a humiliating defeat, and the second a historic win where he turned the match on its head. Knows his game, has a superb game, and doesn't have an injury prone action. 30 @ 22.83 from 7 tests isn't terrible.
Chris Martin
He's arrived as a force at the grand old age of 37. 27 @ 25.70 is a fantastic return beyond what I thought possible from him. Hughes c Guptill b Martin will never get boring.
Kane Williamson
Played the ballsiest (literally) knock I've seen from one of our batsmen in some time today. His summer started poorly but in this series he's grown as a batsman against the best attack he has ever faced.
Dean Brownlie
Head and shoulders above his peers in Australia, and arguably the best Australian batsman on display.
Was frustrating in this test but considering his injury layoff it is understandable.
Mark Gillespie
His career looked finished at the halfway mark of the Plunket Shield, but he's returned with a vengeance. Can't knock him in this series. Hopefully he stays fit and semi-consistent.
Kruger van Wyk
Classy keeper, and a good batsman. Book him for a test hundred next season.
Trent Boult
Looks a keeper. Should never have been dropped.
General Depth
We're finding bowlers, keepers and even the odd batsman now that Ryder is on the sideline and Flynn had to convert to opening to get a game. Without seeing them in test cricket we can't lock them in as guns but it's great to see competition between players other than Sinclair and Adams. (It's great to have them still playing FC as well).
Cons
Daniel Vettori
Is negligible with the ball. Building pressure is all well and good, but the best pressure is numbers in the wickets column. His batting has been quiet this season, which is a shame, because he can and will, if given the chance, cement his place in the top six.
Martin Guptill
Scored a fifty yesterday, but I'm not convinced. He's been scoring face saving fifties his entire career. He's never strung consistent performances together in the whites and just isn't very good right now imo, but gets away with it like Flynn in 2008 because he plays beautiful cricket shots. Awesome attitude towards improvement though and I hope he slaughters county bowlers over the winter.
Jesse Ryder
Really disappointing.
Rob Nicol
Pushed too far too soon. Solid batsman at the level below but you want to be in the form of your life to debut against that attack.
In fact you just don't want to debut against that attack.
