What has happened to New Zealand?

South Africa comprehensively had nailed the Kiwis with two successive innings defeats to claim their supremacy in Test cricket in modern times. Their bowlers were utterly hostile while the batsmen piled up runs effortlessly. But such hostility and fluency were made to look even brighter by the Kiwis lack-of-heart performances. Since the Test series started in January 2, the Kiwi batsmen were unable to hold their own while the bowlers were left stranded.

The Kiwis started the new year in a shameful manner by getting skittled out for just a mere 45 runs in the first innings and since then there had been nothing but spineless surrenders both by the batsmen and bowlers. Even though, over the past few decades, despite not having champions like a Richards or Warne; the Kiwis have always been the symbol of a fighting unit. But this New Zealand side sinks without even trying to swim.

Something is seriously wrong!

It’s not that the present soldiers of the New Zealand side lack talent. With people like BJ Watling, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Kane Williamson or  Boult there are enough promises but at some point of time they are unable to produce their best performances. They are found wanting. This young promising side lacks the passion, purpose and heart to dish out the fight which they are expected to do so. They seemed like a ship without a rudder and their problems can be attributed to a vacuum in the captaincy post where there is no imagination and inspiration.

In 1997, a young Stephen Fleming was made the captain of a New Zealand side which was passing through a transitional phase. But what Fleming did was to make that New Zealand side dream big, chase that dream and hardly let his men left stagnant. For a brief period of time, the Kiwis relished some outstanding successes over some giants of the game. The batsmen showed character and temperament, the bowlers hunted for wickets while the fielders were athletic backed up by some clinical imaginative captaincy.

Yes, to bring the best out from a young unit requires imaginative and inspirational captaincy. What New Zealand need is an inspirational leader who will not only lead by an example but also will guide these young guns to travel through the troubled waters of international cricket. This young team needs to dream bigger, this young team need to chase their dreams. And at present there’s none other than Ross Taylor who is apt and appropriate to lead this demoralized unit. The sooner the New Zealand higher officials realize this, the better it will be for their cricket future. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar