Cricket World Cup 2015: Brilliant Black Caps have risen from the ashes of a burnt blazer

New Zealand’s long campaign towards this World Cup began in most unpromising circumstances. Letters were leaked, blazers were burnt and goodwill was destroyed. It was a bungling disaster, which seemed bound to make their presence as hosts at this tournament a national embarrassment.

If what happened does not exactly seem like a masterstroke three years on, it has had the required effect. The Kiwis are one of the most respected and capable teams around and appear to have timed their run impeccably. Of course, it would be a surprise were they actually to win the thing – this is the Black Caps, lest it be forgotten, not the All Blacks, a side always encouraged to make up the numbers but not to overstay their welcome – but it is understood that they have the players, the skills and the organisation to do so.

To reach this state of affairs, they have somehow put aside the internecine friction which must never be far away and have concentrated on winning. Some of the relationships in the dressing room have almost certainly never recovered but those involved have recognised, to a greater or lesser degree, that personal animosity can be overlooked for the sake of the team.

In late 2012, Ross Taylor, the country’s leading batsman and captain for the previous year, was sacked as limited-overs captain by the new coach, Mike Hesson. There was hell to pay. Many disagreed with the decision, many more disliked its manner.

The team’s bowling coach, Shane Bond, wrote a letter to the New Zealand Cricket board in which he said that Hesson had been dishonest and involved in a cover-up. Martin Crowe, a former New Zealand captain and perhaps their greatest batsman, let it be known that he burnt his blazer and would never again wear it. Eventually, the board issued an apology to Taylor over the handling of the affair.

Two other aspects made a big mess messier. Hesson was a young coach in his mid-thirties, who had enjoyed some success down in Otago but had never played the game to any sort of level. He was also said to be a friend of the man he wanted for the job, Brendon McCullum. The implication was that it was jobs for chums.

open image in gallery

The rest is (almost) history. And what history it will be if McCullum’s side can go all the way to the final on 29 March. McCullum, careful to build bridges and acting as considered ambassador, had one-day wins early on in South Africa and England. He took over as captain in all forms. Since the start of last year, New Zealand have lost only seven of 26 matches, and with their victory against Scotland on Tuesday in their second game of this World Cup they have now won 10 from the last 12.

He and Hesson have built the trust and loyalty, if not necessarily the enduring friendship, of the dressing room. Taylor may still be bitter at what happened but he remains a key component of the team.

Hesson’s team selection has drawn widespread praise. He and fellow selector Bruce Edgar seem to know what type of player they want for a particular role and how to get the best out of them.

But some choices have not been accorded universal approval and when Grant Elliott, the 35-year-old all-rounder, was recalled for the World Cup after more than a year out of the side and in place of the highly promising 24-year-old Jimmy Neesham, it might have been a blazer-burning moment.

It has helped, of course, that New Zealand have unearthed their most talented bunch of players for several generations. Taylor’s place as top batsman has been usurped by Kane Williamson, a majestic performer who has the quality of all those in the upper tier of batsmanship, time.

McCullum himself is a formidable, often spectacular operator in all forms of the game and is one of the few who can change the course of events. He is a ubiquitous presence in the country but usually has time for a word.

open image in gallery

For almost the first time New Zealand possess a bowling attack with depth, crucially comprising left-arm and right-arm. Trent Boult and Tim Southee bear comparison with any pairing as a new-ball partnership, but the return of the veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori might have completed the jigsaw.

It is fortunate, perhaps, that so many estimable players should emerge at once but that itself is testament to the coaching structures that New Zealand have in place. They know they cannot afford to miss any likely cricketers so they do their utmost to ensure it does not happen.

A nation expects – and for the first time they expect it from a team which is not the All Blacks.

Brendon McCullum

Tactically aware as experienced captain and proficient as wicketkeeper, but he sets the pulses racing when he opens the innings. One of the world’s most exciting attacking batsmen.

Corey Anderson

Scored the fastest-ever ODI century last year before being usurped by A B de Villiers. A genuine all-rounder, his left-arm pace has taken five wickets in the tournament.

Kane Williamson

One of the most talented young batsmen in the world, he has scored 10 fifties and three centuries in ODIs since January last year. Can bowl useful off-spin after remedial work on his action.