New Zealand Cricket

New Zealand’s perfect pre-World Cup preparations means that, for once, instead of being many people's long-shot tip to go well...they enter this tournament with a genuine chance of winning.

However, this weight of expectation multiplied by the fact that they are co-hosts and consequently playing at home raises a potent question; can they handle the pressure?

Let's take a look at their team, form and history and anticipate what is their biggest hurdle to success.

Squad

Brendon McCullum's men deserve their recent plaudits, and it is no surprise to find them being tipped by the likes of Ian Botham and Michael Vaughan to lift the cup.

Indeed, a quick look at their team reveals a highly skilled XI with a classic blend of youth and experience that has all bases covered.

New Zealand squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi (wicket), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.

Potentially devastating batsmen like Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and McCullum himself are all capable of clearing the ropes at any stage and posting huge totals.

At the same time, a deeply stocked pace attack headed by Trent Boult and Tim Southee can go toe-to-toe with any other bowling unit in the world.

Finally, throw in the players who glue everything together such as the explosive all-rounder Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi and his newfound firepower and, of course, evergreen spinner Daniel Vettori, who still boasts a miserly economy rate of just over four runs per over in 286 ODIs.

It's clear that on paper, the Kiwis should be a match for everyone. So, how's their form?

Recent Record

Last 10 ODIs (Latest Result First): NWWLWWWNLW

Yes, the Black Caps have won six of their last 10 games or five of their last six completed contests if you want to put a more positive spin on the statistics.

OK, a whitewash against struggling Pakistan might not be the greatest indicator of form, but coming out on top against Sri Lanka by a score of 4-2 was no mean feat. 

Also, their recent Test performances—a home whitewash over Sri Lanka and a drawn series against Pakistan in the spin-friendly UAE—will surely have boosted New Zealand's collective confidence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8IWGX7mPNw

World Cup History

Without looking into the data, it could be tempting to assume that the Black Caps have underperformed on the ICC's blue-ribbon event, but in fact their overall record is relatively decent.

In 10 editions of the tournament so far, they have made the semi-final on six occasions: 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2011. They have only finished outside the top six on one occasion. 

But the fact that they have lost all of these semi-finals and thus are yet to contest an actual final tells its own story and leads nicely on to the final point.

Can They Handle the Pressure?

With so few excuses, the arena is set for New Zealand to step up and grab this competition by the scruff of the neck—if they have the mental strength to do so, that is.

It's one thing performing as popular underdogs and winning the odd game here and there. But with the home fans and world media watching on expectantly, the mindset is different.

The Kiwis have actually done it before, winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000, beating a strong India side in the final thanks to a Chris Cairns century.

So, can they do it again and maintain their form and levels over the tournament's epic month-and-a-half itinerary? We will find out over the next few weeks.

New Zealand will be expected to win the World Cup in 2015. The rugby version, that is.

While the All Blacks head to Europe later in the year to defend the William Webb Ellis trophy they lifted in their back yard four years ago, their cricketing counterparts are preparing to enjoy home advantage in a major competition.

While they have been semi-finalists at the last two editions of the tournament, New Zealand have always been viewed as plucky underdogs, a team capable of punching above their weight yet not quite having enough to go all the way.

This time around, though, they find themselves among the favourites to triumph.

It helps their cause that, along with fellow hosts Australia, they have the added bonus of playing in front of their own fans.

The last time a World Cup was jointly staged by the two trans-Tasman nations, back in 1992, New Zealand managed to spring a surprise by reaching the last four.

They did so thanks to some rather radical thinking at the time. Opening batsman Mark Greatbatch was asked to get the innings off to a flying start, while they gambled on opening the bowling with spinner Dipak Patel.

It all worked so well, as they finished the group stages on top of the table. They were dominant for much of their semi-final against Pakistan, too, only to be stunned by a late onslaught by a young Inzamam-ul-Haq.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE4eWjyYj1Q

Such tactics would not be such a surprise now; taking the attack to the bowlers in the opening overs has become the norm in the modern game, not the exception.

Perhaps, though, New Zealand do not need to think outside the box to have success.

Their recent form shows they are a side to be reckoned with. In 2014, they won nine of their 16 completed one-day matches, including beating reigning world champions India 4-0.

They also secured a 3-2 series triumph over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, a result that was made even more impressive by the fact that their regular captain, Brendon McCullum, did not feature.

Kane Williamson proved an able deputy as skipper against Pakistan. He enjoyed a stellar 2014 and is now ranked in the top 10 of the ICC rankings in both Test and ODI cricket. His form does not seem to be disappearing into the new year, either—he made 103 against Sri Lanka on Jan. 20.

McCullum is full of praise for his right-hand man, admitting after the recent Test series against Sri Lanka that Williamson, per ESPN Cricinfo, has the potential to go down as the best ever Kiwi batsman.

It's hard to put this on his shoulders while the guy is so young, but I firmly believe Kane could go down as New Zealand's greatest ever batter.

He’s a phenomenal talent and such a level-headed guy, who just thinks first and foremost about the team and how he can contribute.

McCullum may be overlooking himself with that statement, and for now he is still the main man in an ODI batting lineup that looks to have both firepower up front and strength in depth.

There may still be some debate about who will open the innings with the skipper; Martin Guptill is the preferred choice right now, but Tom Latham is another option for team management to consider.

Luke Ronchi was previously tried at the top of the order, but he is now settled at seven. The wicketkeeper-batsman averages over 50 in the role, with that number helped hugely by his record-breaking 170 not out against Sri Lanka recently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmgitT097iE

His stunning 99-ball knock on Jan. 23 saw him share in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 267 with Grant Elliott, a surprise choice in the final 15-man World Cup squad who continued to justify the selectors’ faith with a century and two wickets.

Corey Anderson may have failed in that match in Dunedin, but it should not be forgotten that until very recently he held the record for the fastest century in ODI action.

Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum lengthen the lineup further, though the Black Caps may not often pick both of their frontline spin bowlers in the same XI.

Whether both are chosen or not, New Zealand will still field a well-balanced attack.

Seam duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee are both now ranked in the top 10 in Test action, while one-day specialist Mitchell McClenaghan currently has the third-best strike rate in the history of the 50-over game.

All-rounders Elliott and Anderson add further seam options, plus Williamson has been cleared to bowl his off-spin again after undergoing remedial work on his action.

Great day in Dunedin for @grantelliottnz, his 2nd ODI century and 2 wickets with the ball. Great to have him in the CWC squad. #nzvsl ^PT

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 23, 2015

When you add in that they will play all their group games on their own turf—including against neighbours Australia on Feb. 28—the case for a home winner of the cup not named Australia gets even stronger.

In the last eight they could have to travel, but there is a carrot dangling of a potential semi-final in Auckland. That would mean another knockout clash at Eden Park, just as Martin Crowe’s side experienced 23 years ago.

Getting that far is the least Brendon McCullum’s squad of 2015 should be capable of, provided they can cope with the added burden of expectation they now have on their shoulders.

With the series interestingly poised at 2-1 in the hosts’ favor, New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in Dunedin in the fifth one-day international of seven.

The Black Caps won last time out, and they will be determined to make their advantage even larger.

Venue: University Oval, Dunedin

Date: Friday, January 23

Start time: 11 a.m. local time, 10 p.m. GMT (Thursday, Jan. 22)

Live on: CSN (Sri Lanka), TVNZ (New Zealand), Sky Sports (UK).

Weather: According to Weather.com, Dunedin will be mostly sunny with temperatures peaking around 21 degrees Celsius.

Overview

New Zealand come into this game with a 2-1 margin in the seven-game series, winning the previous ODI in Nelson by four wickets.

Batting first, the Sri Lankans were 276 all out, led by 94 from Mahela Jayawardene and 76 from Kumar Sangakkara.

Tim Southee impressed for the Black Caps with three wickets, while there were two apiece for Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan.

In reply, New Zealand’s chase was paced by 103 from Kane Williamson, but a minor collapse left them teetering on 245-6 in the 46th over.

Luke Ronchi’s unbeaten 32 from 15 balls ultimately eased the hosts home, though, alongside former captain Daniel Vettori.

It means the Black Caps have taken a series lead for the second time, and it puts the onus back on the visitors ahead of this game if they are to not fall too far behind.

Team News

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori.

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Key Players

Kane Williamson

In scintillating form, New Zealand No. 3 Kane Williamson is still one to watch for the hosts.

His century last time out shows what good touch he is in, and he will be determined to keep his run going.

Mahela Jayawardene

Still going strong, Mahela Jayawardene impressed for Sri Lanka with 94 in the last ODI even in defeat.

If he can keep up that form, the visitors will be confident of achieving further success. 

After New Zealand’s 2-0 win in the Test series, attention now shifts to their seven one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.

Things kick off in Christchurch, the scene of the Black Caps’ victory by eight wickets in the first Test.

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Date: Sunday, January 11

Start time: 11 a.m. local time/10 p.m. GMT (Jan. 10)

Live on: CSN (Sri Lanka), TVNZ (New Zealand), Sky Sports (UK).

Weather: According to Weather.com, Christchurch will be largely sunny all day, with temperatures peaking at 27 degrees Celsius.

Overview

New Zealand kick off the ODI series without a couple of key players, as both Tim Southee and Ross Taylor are unavailable.

Southee has a slight hamstring problem that he has been carrying since the second Test, so the Black Caps have erred on the side of caution and rested him for this game.

Meanwhile, Taylor has been given the game off to spend time with his family, and he will not be replaced in the squad, while Matt Henry comes in for Southee for this game.

Fast bowler Kyle Mills is also not quite back to full fitness, so will miss this game, too, but otherwise the home side are selecting from the squad they will take to the World Cup.

Sri Lanka have some good news in the form of Lasith Malinga, who will return for the latter part of the ODI series but will not be available for this game.

They have not sprung any surprises for this series, with the experienced trio of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan all selected.

Team News

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Matt Henry.
 
Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Key Players

Kane Williamson

Having scored 396 runs in the Tests at an average of 198, Kane Williamson is right in form for New Zealand.

From his position at No. 3, he will be vital in helping the Black Caps start well with the bat.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

Still an explosive batsman despite his advancing years, Tillakaratne Dilshan will be keen to make an impact in this series.

If he is successful, Sri Lanka will be in a good position to be victorious.

New Zealand have continued their rise on the world cricket scene, fighting back from a difficult position to claim victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve.

Heading into Day 4 it was a sombre-looking situation for the hosts. With five men already back in the pavilion, the Black Caps held a slender lead after a series of cheap wickets.

New Zealand teams of the past would have given up. But not this one. They are growing in belief and confidence, which was evident in the unbeaten 365-run stand between Kane Williamson and BJ Watling. The partnership was a sixth-wicket world record, surpassing the mark set by Watling and Brendon McCullum at the same ground a year earlier.

Both showed resilience and temperament as they accumulated runs in a controlled manner. Williamson once again proved that he is now the real deal in notching up a high score of 242 not out. He exhibited sparkling footwork as he punished the Sri Lankan bowlers with a series of textbook cover drives off the front-foot and calmly scored freely off his legs.

Watling on the other hand provided grit early, before becoming progressively more aggressive in his shots square of the wicket as the day wore on. His score of 142 not out was also a career-high score.

McCullum called the pair in late on Day 4, leaving Sri Lanka with an imposing 390 for victory. A wicket to Mark Craig after a loose shot from Dimuth Karunaratne only compounded the tourists' problems.

It was the seamers who had the early running on Day 5, with Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell combining well to manipulate the Sri Lankan batsmen despite the pitch not offering much assistance. Boult snaffled two early wickets, including the controversial one of Kumar Sangakarra in which Sangakarra was given out based off suspect evidence on the Decision Review System.

Sangakarra was visibly upset with the decision as he departed suggesting that he may not have hit the ball. 

It was the key moment in the game, with the man who compiled a glorious 203 runs in the first innings managing just five in the second.

Bracewell then chipped in with two of his own, the second of which came via a piece of juggling brilliance from Williamson in the gully to remove Angelo Mathews. It was a successful return to the Test arena for Bracewell, as he swung the ball well in both directions and picked up five wickets, including a handy 2/25 in the second innings.

The final wickets came in quick succession, as Craig picked up three more, including two in two balls, to finish the innings with figures of 4/53.

This is an exciting time for New Zealand cricket, as the Black Caps continue their meteoric rise on the world stage and are becoming near unbeatable at home. 

They now shift their attention to a seven-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, in preparation for the World Cup.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka kick off 2015 with the second and final match of their Test series in Wellington.

The hosts won the first game comfortably by eight wickets and will be keen to take home the series win with either a win or draw.

Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington

Date: Saturday, January 3 – Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Start time: 11 a.m. local time, 10 p.m. GMT (Friday, January 2)

Live on: CSN (Sri Lanka), TVNZ (New Zealand), Sky Sports (UK).

Weather: According to Weather.com, Wellington will be largely on the cloudy side, although with only a slight chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around 21 degrees Celsius.

Overview

New Zealand completed the best year ever in Test matches with their eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first game, their fifth victory in 2014.

The Black Caps were set up by 441 in their first innings, led by captain Brendon McCullum’s 195 and fifties from Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham.

In response, Sri Lanka were skittled for 138, as Trent Boult and Neil Wagner took three wickets apiece, with the visitors asked to follow on.

The Sri Lankans did better the second time around, with Dimuth Karunaratne scoring 152 to help them to 407, although that left the home side just 105 to win the game.

They eased home by eight wickets having lost both openers cheaply and now stand on the brink of a series victory ahead of this game.

In both sides’ opening game of 2015, they will be determined to start the year off on the right foot, especially with the ICC Cricket World Cup so close.

Team News

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling Kane Williamson

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Tharindu Kaushal, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara, Kaushal Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne

Key Players

Brendon McCullum

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had quite a 2014 and capped it off with 195 in the first Test to help his side to victory.

If he can maintain that form, the Black Caps will be in a strong position for another win.

Dimuth Karunaratne

In defeat, opener Dimuth Karunaratne looked mighty impressive in the second innings as he scored 152, his first Test century.

If the 26-year-old can recapture that form, the Sri Lankans will be well-placed to come back into this series.

The UAE is a truly unique place. If you've found its equivalent elsewhere, you're probably the first to do so. 

Out of baking deserts rise cities of stunning modernity. Cities of staggering new-world wealth that seem to defy the region's origins. Cities of such excess that Lamborghinis are found as police cars. 

One might ask whether the lives of those that live in the UAE have any resemblance to those who live elsewhere—whether there's any contextual relevance to the region that crosses over to one's existence in other parts of the world.

The same question could be asked of the cricket that takes place there, too. 

The Middle Eastern country has just finished staging a compelling tour between Pakistan and New Zealand. The nations split the Test series, split the Twenty20s and the visitors edged the hosts 3-2 in a captivating one-day campaign with a 68-run victory in Abu Dhabi on Friday. 

Throughout the tour, there's been numerous storylines. Kane Williamson's rapid emergence has continued. Younis Khan made a statement. Mohammad Hafeez excelled despite distractions. Tom Latham had a breakout trip. Sarfraz Ahmed kept smashing it. Brendon McCullum went large. Mark Craig surprised us all. The Zulfiqar Babar-Yasir Shah tandem made us forget Saeed Ajmal. Ross Taylor's one-day credentials were strengthened. Matt Henry has come out of nowhere. 

And at stages, both teams have looked great. Elite even. They've tussled like heavyweights, each conjuring a strong response to the other's challenges every time they've been posed (it wasn't until New Zealand's win on Friday that a team had won consecutive matches). 

But there's a question that needs to be asked: Is any of it relevant? Does this compelling tour have a wider context outside the UAE? Does it mean anything for the two teams' World Cup quests?

On the face of it, it might. Form is form, right? Yes, mostly. But, at times, it isn't either.

Australia's Nathan Lyon came to the UAE following the best 12 months of his international career. But prior to New Zealand's visit, Pakistan took him apart. By the limb. They dismembered him so brutally. He finished the Test series with three wickets at 140.66. 

In his next Test, he took 12 Indian wickets in Adelaide. 

Michael Clarke came to the UAE with his public approval rating as Australian captain at an all-time high. But Babar and Yasir were too tricky to handle for Clarke. Two men that entered the series with two Test caps between them undid the star batsman. He finished the Test series with 57 runs at 14.25. 

In his next Test, he made 128 with a disintegrating back and on one leg against India in Adelaide. 

It's not just limited to that pair, either. Steve Smith has gone to another level since returning home. Chris Rogers will be wrapped to have gotten away from Babar and Yasir. Mitchell Johnson looks better on Australian wickets. So does Mitchell Marsh. 

An Australian side that looked like rubble in the UAE are now 1-0 up against India and hold a first-innings lead in the second Test in Brisbane. All after beating South Africa across a T20 and one-day campaign. 

Two years ago, England came to the UAE as the world's best. Pakistan made them look foolish. England then went on to record a famous victory in India only later that year. 

So form is form, right?

Maybe not. 

Since Pakistan's shift to the UAE after the terror attacks on a touring Sri Lanka team in Lahore in 2009, the nation have played 18 Tests in their adopted home. They've played 44 ODIs and 22 T20Is, too. They've won nine, 17 and 10 of those matches, respectively. 

In that time, they've travelled to Australia and England (two nations of great contrast to the UAE) for 21 games across all formats in that time. They've lost 18 of them. Many of them abysmally.

So what's the reason for the discrepancy?

Frankly, the answer is a straightforward one: What works in the UAE rarely works outside Asia. 

In Pakistan's new home, there's such little variance in the conditions. Due primarily to a climate that's amazingly—or, if you're of a different outlook, mind-numbingly—consistent, the surfaces rarely change. They're dry. They're lifeless. They start slow and get slower. 

It's a situation that's compounded by back-to-back games on the same pitches—a result of having just three major grounds (Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi) to use. 

The result of such circumstances is a very distinct type of cricket. But it's also a type of cricket lacking variety. Without diversity. Games take on a very familiar feel with astonishing regularity, with each one catering to a certain type of cricketer. And that type almost exclusively. 

Spinners thrive in the UAE—unconventional ones even more so. Batsmen adept at playing them do, too. 

But so many other types of player are rendered ineffective here: The really fast guys, the fast-medium guys, spinners without tricks, spinners who rely on bounce, back-foot batsmen, old-school batsmen, good players of pace, acrobatic keepers—they all find it hard work in the UAE.  

Some might say it's the same in India or Sri Lanka. But from the top to the bottom of India there are vast differences; so too from the east to the west of Sri Lanka. In those parts of Asia, diversity is catered for to some extent. 

It's hard to say the same for the UAE. There doesn't appear to be a crossover of form in the region to form elsewhere. It doesn't feel contextually relevant in a broader sense. 

Pakistan and New Zealand might have put on some impressive displays in the region. But whether they're at all relevant moving toward the World Cup remains doubtful. 

Veteran spinner Daniel Vettori has shown once again why his experience will be crucial if New Zealand are to mount a serious World Cup challenge.

Defending a total of 299 in the fourth one-day international against Pakistan on Wednesday, the tourists squeaked home thanks largely to an impressive spell from Vettori.

In a match overshadowed by the terrible events in Peshawar, the bespectacled left-armer took three for 53 from his 10 overs. After dismissing Haris Sohail and Mohammad Hafeez to leave Pakistan reeling at 82 for four, Vettori returned later to bag the crucial wicket of Younis Khan.

Vettori comes back to bowl Younis Khan, who was swinging for the rope there, huge wicket. 103 from 117 from him, fine innings #pakvnz ^RI

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 17, 2014

Pakistan's oldest ODI centurion looked set to steer his team to an impressive win but succumbed to Vettori's final delivery for 103 with his team 46 runs short. The pacemen finished the job to give New Zealand a seven-run win. With the series now tied at two apiece, it's all to play for in Friday's finale in Abu Dhabi.

After making just three one-day appearances in 2013, it looked long odds that Vettori would be appearing in a fourth World Cup. That now seems on the cards after a series of canny performances.

The 35-year-old returned to action in the 50-over game against South Africa in October. Despite remaining wicketless in both appearances, Vettori was highly economical, going at 4.20 runs per over.

That tidy form has continued in Pakistan. In his three appearances this series, Vettori has taken five wickets at an average of 28.20 with an economy rate of 4.70. If he can keep that up, that World Cup swansong is a distinct possibility.

The latter part of Vettori's career has been ravaged by injury. Despite that, he still looks set to overhaul Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's most-capped ODI player. With 281 victims, he is already his country's leading wicket-taker in the 50-over game.

Most of the pre-World Cup hype has involved the Australians. Their cousins across the Tasman Sea are shaping up quite nicely, too.

An explosive batting line-up featuring Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson means the Kiwis shouldn't be struggling for runs.

The pace attack has been more of a concern. Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan are all solid one-day citizens but don't exactly strike fear into opposition sides.

The addition of speedster Adam Milne could change that. The youngster consistently tops 90mph on the speed-gun and appears to have found his radar in Pakistan. He could yet be one of the competition's surprise packages.

Throw in Vettori's spinning wiles and the co-hosts are starting to look like more than dangerous outsiders.

The New Zealanders have an amazing record in the World Cup, reaching the semi-final in six out of 10 competitions. They have never yet made it to the final, though.

If Vettori's creaking body holds up for a few more months and the batsmen fire, there's no reason why they can't go just as far this time around.

Stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo.com and Howstat.com.

On Sunday, New Zealand became only the third team to win a Test against Pakistan since they were forced to relocate to the United Arab Emirates.

After being thoroughly beaten in the first Test and putting up a good fight in the drawn second Test, they secured a win to level the series.

Hear #DanielVettori after #PakvNZ - http://t.co/TrFpodxmHC @BLACKCAPS @TheRealPCB @audioBoomSports pic.twitter.com/iqWdXXOrRp

— Brian Murgatroyd (@murgersb) November 30, 2014

It was an emotional win, as players all mourned the passing of Phil Hughes. After the win, Daniel Vettori said that they thought of Hughes as a teammate. He was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo as saying:

It's been a very hard Test match to play and we're lucky that we've had Brendon and [coach] Mike Hesson and [our manager] Mike Sandle to lead us and really help the guys get through it, because a lot of guys knew Phillip very well and we felt like he was one of us, and we mourned him as a teammate.

Despite the tragedy, New Zealand still displayed some of their dogged tenacity to record a famous win. The 690 runs scored in the first innings was the highest they have ever recorded in a Test. The innings also included 88 boundaries, which is the most hit by New Zealand in an innings. It was an all-round superb effort and another reminder of just why the Black Caps are such a great team to watch.

Well done @BLACKCAPS. Wonderful cricket played in tough and sad circumstances. Congrats on drawing the series. #PAKvNZ

— Ken McAlpine (kenmcalpine.bsky.social) (@KenMcAlpine) November 30, 2014

In a small country dominated by rugby, New Zealand have never really been regarded as one of the best cricket teams in the world. But what they lack in ability, they make up for in attitude.

.@BLACKCAPS Wonderful performance. Thank you for restoring my faith & love of the game in a tough week. Kia kaha.

— Kiwi Kali 🍉 (@kiwi_kali) November 30, 2014

In Brendon McCullum, New Zealand have a pragmatic batsman and captain. In Kane Williamson, they have a reliable number three. Ross Taylor is one of the best attacking players in world cricket. And Tom Latham has been an unearthed gem in Tests.

Big ups to Brendon mccullum for reminding the world what a great game cricket is,in what has been a very sad week for the game.

Respect.

— the bside (@Brendhan44) November 29, 2014

This is backed up by the bowling of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, two of the finest swing bowlers in the world and one of the most enchanting bowling partnerships going. Sure, they are not Dale Steyn or Mitchell Johnson, but they do not need to be.

In their own way, almost all of New Zealand's players can hold their own against the players often referred to as the best in the world. 

Boult's four-wicket haul on a track that had far more assistance for batsmen and spin bowlers than swing bowlers was even more evidence of just how great New Zealand can be when they get things right.

Brendon McCullum and Misbah Ul-Haq share the series trophy after BLACKCAPS levelled things 1-1. Special. #pakvnz ^CE pic.twitter.com/NMFzwwvsCu

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 30, 2014

It will go down as one of the most famous wins in the history of New Zealand and perhaps cricket itself. And it should once again underscore New Zealand’s reputation as being one of the most endearing sides in world cricket.