The top order failing is depressingly predictable. The tail capitulating is understandable given the bowlers they were facing, but still depressingly new. Ffs, even Gillespie smacked the same bowlers around the park last season. Didn't think I'd miss Southee's lower order batting when I heard he was injured...
The few good NZ sides I've seen have never had 3-4 players averaging over 40, but they have had bloody useful lower order players. Once upon a time our 7-10 would have been Hadlee, Smith Bracewell and Cairns or Snedden. And then Cairns, Parore, Nash, Vettori. This side takes me back to 1993 or something when 8-11 were Su'a, Morrison, Doull (before he became a reasonable tail-end hitter), Watson / de Gron....
The few good NZ sides I've seen have never had 3-4 players averaging over 40, but they have had bloody useful lower order players. Once upon a time our 7-10 would have been Hadlee, Smith Bracewell and Cairns or Snedden. And then Cairns, Parore, Nash, Vettori. This side takes me back to 1993 or something when 8-11 were Su'a, Morrison, Doull (before he became a reasonable tail-end hitter), Watson / de Gron....