West Indies vs. New Zealand: Ranking All 28 Players from the 2014 Test Series
The Test series between West Indies and New Zealand is now over after an exciting three games that finished in a 2-1 victory for the Black Caps.
The players will now prepare for two Twenty20 Internationals at the weekend, but first let’s take a look back at how they fared during the Tests.
Some impressed, while others did not.
Read on for a ranking of all 28 players who featured for both sides.
28. Marlon Samuels
1 match
0 runs
0 wickets
One appearance for Marlon Samuels, and it was a terrible one as he recorded a pair in the middle order and failed to take any wickets with his off-spin.
He was quickly jettisoned from the West Indian lineup.
27. Peter Fulton
1 match
1 run; 0.50 batting average; 1 highest score
Opener Peter Fulton has been in poor form for some time now, and his appearance in Jamaica was a continuation of that.
Just one run in the first innings was followed by a duck in the second, and having been removed from the team his place must surely be in question in the long-term.
26. Hamish Rutherford
2 matches
39 runs; 9.75 batting average; 19 highest score
Brought in for Fulton as opener, Hamish Rutherford also endured a difficult series.
He will have wanted to have scored far more runs and laid a much bigger platform for his side, but was unable to do so.
25. Kieran Powell
1 match
28 runs; 14.00 batting average; 28 highest score
Just the one match for opener Kieran Powell, who struggled to make much of an impact.
His 28 in Jamaica was a decent score, but a duck in the second innings did not help his side get off to a good start.
24. Shannon Gabriel
1 match
0 runs
4 wickets; 27.25 bowling average; 2-43 BBI
Brought in for the Trinidad Test, Shannon Gabriel bowled pretty well but with little success.
Two wickets in each innings was not a bad return, but he knows he has plenty more to offer.
23. Brendon McCullum
3 matches
87 runs; 14.50 batting average; 31 highest score
New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum had a difficult series with the bat, as his average and aggregate was far lower than what is normally expected from him.
He will be hoping it is just a blip against a bowling attack that looked rather handy at times.
22. Shane Shillingford
2 matches
107 runs; 107.00 batting average; 53* highest score
5 wickets; 63.60 bowling average; 3-145 BBI
Expensive with the ball, Shane Shillingford had a poor series despite his late batting heroics in Barbados.
However, his rearguard should not disguise the fact that he was well below par.
21. Ish Sodhi
2 matches
18 runs; 6.00 batting average; 14 highest score
8 wickets; 28.50 bowling average; 4-96 BBI
A little expensive at times with the ball, Ish Sodhi had an inconsistent series in which he showed promise but also struggled at times.
He still has time on his side, but with Mark Craig now in the spinning picture, he faces a battle for his place.
20. Kirk Edwards
3 matches
137 runs; 27.40 batting average; 58 highest score
A fairly middling series for Kirk Edwards with the bat, as he made some good starts but failed to push on.
He still has plenty of time to make an impact, although with a number of young batsmen coming through his place may be under threat soon.
19. Trent Boult
3 matches
21 runs; 7.00 batting average; 12 highest score
9 wickets; 35.22 bowling average; 3-48 BBI
A decent series for left-armer Trent Boult, who bowled well at times but found himself overshadowed by others.
Along with Tim Southee, he remains half of one of the best bowling partnerships in world cricket.
18. Neil Wagner
1 match
2 runs; 2.00 batting average; 2 highest score
5 wickets; 22.80 bowling average; 4-64 BBI
Just the one appearance for Neil Wagner, but it was a good one as he helped New Zealand to victory in Barbados.
Having been left out initially, his impact in the final Test was superb.
17. Denesh Ramdin
3 matches
179 runs; 35.80 batting average; 45 highest score
Another to have a fairly inconsistent time with the bat was Denesh Ramdin, leading the West Indies in Tests for the first time.
His wicketkeeping also looked a little untidy at times, but as he grows into the captaincy all aspects of his game should improve.
16. Tim Southee
3 matches
62 runs; 12.40 batting average; 21* highest score
11 wickets; 21.09 bowling average; 4-19 BBI
Still New Zealand’s top seam bowler, Tim Southee had another memorable series.
In varying conditions, he maintained his consistency well and was a constant threat to every West Indian batsman.
15. Mark Craig
3 matches
128 runs; 64.00 batting average; 67 highest score
12 wickets; 40.83 bowling average; 4-91 BBI
Brought in for his first-ever Test series, Mark Craig made some memorable contributions as he topped New Zealand’s wickets list and was second-top in their batting averages.
He looks like he has plenty to offer in international cricket.
14. Ross Taylor
3 matches
187 runs; 37.40 batting average; 55 highest score
Another to have had a decent series with the bat was Ross Taylor, although given his high standards he will have wanted more.
A return of just one half-century was disappointing, but he remains one of New Zealand’s premier batsmen.
13. Darren Bravo
3 matches
185 runs; 37.00 batting average; 109 highest score
0 wickets
Rapidly seeming comfortable in a role as a more senior batsman, Darren Bravo impressed in this series.
His 109 at Trinidad was a full showcase of his skills as he helped his side to victory.
12. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
3 matches
195 runs; 48.75 batting average; 84* highest score
Still West Indies’ best batsman by some distance, Shivnarine Chanderpaul showed why he still remains the opposition’s most prized wicket.
He may have only scored one half-century, but it was still not a bad series for the 39-year-old.
11. Jason Holder
1 match
90 runs; 45.00 batting average; 52 highest score
2 wickets; 25.00 bowling average; 2-26 BBI
Some eyebrows would have been raised when debutant Jason Holder was drafted in to bat at No. 7 in Barbados for the hosts.
However, he showed he has plenty to offer with the bat in hand, especially in the second innings when his 52 took West Indies to the brink of safety.
10. Jermaine Blackwood
1 match
63 runs; 63.00 batting average; 63 highest score
Perhaps one of West Indies’ more successful debutants during this series was Jermaine Blackwood, who came in at Trinidad and looked solid.
His 63 in the first innings helped the hosts build a big lead, and suggests he could also be a big factor in years to come.
9. Jerome Taylor
3 matches
42 runs; 8.40 batting average; 18 highest score
11 wickets; 25.54 bowling average; 4-34 BBI
Having returned to Tests after some time away, Jerome Taylor looked to have regained some consistency and pace.
His 11 wickets were a very good return for the seamer, who may well have forced his way back into the reckoning on a regular basis.
8. BJ Watling
3 matches
207 runs; 51.75 batting average; 89 highest score
Impressive with the gloves and typically hard-working with the bat, BJ Watling had another good series.
His obdurate 89 helped New Zealand push towards 500 in Jamaica, and he remains a key contributor at No. 7.
7. Chris Gayle
3 matches
208 runs; 41.60 batting average; 80* highest score
0 wickets
Always one to watch, Chris Gayle had another impressive series with the bat.
His unbeaten 80 in Trinidad was the definite highlight, as it helped the hosts speed toward a comfortable victory.
6. Kraigg Brathwaite
2 matches
217 runs; 72.33 batting average; 129 highest score
Looking very impressive with the bat for West Indies was Kraigg Brathwaite, who showed he has a bright future.
Still just 21, his 129 in Trinidad was a superb innings and hints at a player who could be in international cricket for many years to come.
5. Jimmy Neesham
3 matches
278 runs; 46.33 batting average; 107 highest score
3 wickets; 37.33 bowling average; 2-12 BBI
Young Jimmy Neesham continued his strong start to his Test career with an impressive showing in the Caribbean.
His 107 helped spark his side’s victory in the first Test, and while he is still a work in progress, he should be crucial for years to come.
4. Sulieman Benn
3 matches
57 runs; 11.40 batting average; 25 highest score
14 wickets; 37.64 bowling average; 5-93 BBI
On his return to Test cricket, Sulieman Benn looked like he had never been away.
Extracting turn and bounce with his awkward height, Benn may well have carved out a niche for himself in this West Indian bowling attack.
3. Kemar Roach
3 matches
36 runs; 7.20 batting average; 19 highest score
15 wickets; 23.20 bowling average; 4-55 BBI
The West Indians’ most successful bowler, Kemar Roach looked in good form in helpful conditions.
Offering bite with the new ball, he was also economical and took wickets at regular intervals.
2. Tom Latham
3 matches
288 runs; 48.00 batting average; 83 highest score
Another young New Zealand batsman to impress was Tom Latham, who looked in very good touch throughout this series.
He will have been disappointed not to reach a century, but his contributions were welcome from the top of the order.
1. Kane Williamson
3 matches
413 runs; 82.60 batting average; 161* highest score
2 wickets; 35.50 bowling average; 1-1 BBI
Top of the list comes Kane Williamson, who was tremendous with the bat for New Zealand throughout.
Often coming in early after the failure of an opener, he churned out runs at an incredible rate and made telling contributions on a regular basis.