New Zealand Cricket

Brendon McCullum may have played just two international matches in the month of February, but an incredible tally of 555 runs at an average of 138.75 means he is our world batsman of the month.

New Zealand faced India in a two-Test series at home and were indebted to McCullum’s incredible run of form as they won 1-0 over the current No. 2 Test side.

The Black Caps captain twice passed 200 in an innings, first doing so in Auckland as he helped lead his side to 503 all out in their first knock.

It proved crucial, and New Zealand managed to take the win by 40 runs after being second-best for the rest of the match, with McCullum’s runs a vital contribution.

In the second game in Wellington, McCullum again led from the front, as after failing in the first innings, he put together an incredible 302 to help secure his side a draw.

New Zealand had been in enormous trouble in their second innings, but McCullum and his supporting cast made the game safe with some extraordinary batting.

February Performance Summary

Standout Performance

In the second Test against India in Wellington, New Zealand were in deep trouble and facing a crushing defeat.

The Black Caps were bowled out for just 192 in their first innings, and in response, the tourists hit 438 thanks to 118 from Ajinkya Rahane and 98 from Shikhar Dhawan.

Needing to score 246 to make India bat again, the hosts crumbled once again and found themselves under enormous pressure at 94-5 when BJ Watling strode out to join McCullum.

What followed was nothing short of miraculous, as McCullum led his side to safety with 302, supported by 124 from Watling and 137 not out from debutant Jimmy Neesham.

McCullum’s innings was the first triple century ever by a New Zealander in international cricket and the highest score in their history, overtaking Martin Crowe’s 299 against Sri Lanka in 1991.

Made from 559 balls in 775 minutes, McCullum’s knock lasted from the third until the fifth day, and he punished India for dropping him when he had made just nine and 36.

It meant New Zealand could declare on the final day with their score at 680-8, setting India a nominal target of 435 in just over two sessions.

It was a superb innings from New Zealand's captain and is sure to be remembered for many years to come.

Outlook for February 

March sees New Zealand compete in the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, starting with two warm-up fixtures against Pakistan and Australia before they enter the Super 10 stage.

The tournament’s second stage gets underway toward the end of March, with the Black Caps taking on England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the winner of Group B, which contains Zimbabwe, Ireland, United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.

Given McCullum’s aptitude for Twenty20 cricket and the runs he scored in February, he will be hoping for a very productive tournament.

Brendon McCullum scored the highest total by a New Zealand batsman in Test cricket history when he made 302 against India in the second innings of the second Test against India the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The total made him the first scorer of a triple century for the Black Caps. The previous record belonged to Martin Crowe, who fell for 299 at the same ground in a Test versus Sri Lanka in 1991.

What made McCullum's innings so special was the context. The skipper came in with his side looking sure to lose the Test match, and with it settle for a draw in the two-match series.

New Zealand were at one stage 94-5 in their second innings, still more than 150 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat.

But he dug in and batted for a total of 559 balls, and more than 12 hours, to bat his side to safety.

Supermac edges Zaheer on 302. That's 559 deliveries, close to 750 minutes, many painkillers and a saved Test later http://t.co/VRSAueEvTH

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 17, 2014

@worldofBG Amazing effort pic.twitter.com/ziq1Tl4Oe5

— Steve O'Loughlin (@OLoughlinSteve) February 17, 2014

He had able support from BJ Watling (124) and also from Jimmy Neesham, who bagged a century on his debut as well.

McCullum, however, was the star of the show. 

And by Day 5, when he resumed on 281 with the record in sight, a full crowd turned up at Wellington to see history be made. 

Even his defensive blocks were met with oohs and ahhs from the crowd, while an edge off the bowling of Ishant Sharma fell tantalisingly close—but just short—of India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.

He cut behind square for the boundary that took him to the landmark, but his innings ended just two balls later as he edged behind off the bowling of Zaheer Khan.

By then it did not matter. It was just another opportunity for the crowd to applaud his efforts.

McCullum's Record-Breaking Innings (stats via ESPNCricinfo)

New Zealand hit back on Day 3 of the second Test against India at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Home captain Brendon McCullum made his ninth Test century as the Black Caps finished the day on 252-5 in their second innings, a lead of six.

McCullum and wicketkeeper BJ Watling shared an unbroken 158-run partnership for the sixth wicket as the hosts overturned a 246-run deficit on first innings.

Resuming on 24-1, the Kiwis lost Kane Williamson in the second over of the morning when he was caught behind off Zaheer Khan for just seven.

The Black Caps were in danger of suffering an innings defeat as they went to lunch at 87-4.

Hamish Rutherford departed in the same manner as Williamson for 35, and debutant Tom Latham was dismissed for 29 with the last ball of the morning. Keeper MS Dhoni took his third catch, this time off Mohammed Shami.

Only a further 10 runs had been added when Corey Anderson (2) got a leading edge to slow left-armer Ravindra Jadeja who took the return catch.

However, then McCullum and Watling changed the face of the game with NZ's highest sixth-wicket partnership in the second innings of a Test match.

South African-born keeper Watling made a patient half-century, his seventh in Test cricket, off 190 balls.

McCullum played with more freedom, and his century came in the most emphatic fashion, a six off Ishant Sharma over wide long-on.

His ton came off 197 balls and featured 12 boundaries, but there was great acceleration with his second fifty coming off 51 balls.

New Zealand will look to build their lead on Monday and set India as a testing target as they look to win the series 2-0.

New Zealand’s Test series at home to India continues on Friday in Wellington, with the Black Caps ahead 1-0 after their win by 40 runs in Auckland.

Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington

Date: Friday February 14-18

Start time: 22:00 GMT (Feb. 13)

Live on: Sky Sport NZ, Sky Sports 3 (UK)

Weather: According to AccuWeather, Wellington should be largely sunny with some clouds around over the weekend and possible showers on Sunday.

Overview

This Test series draws to a conclusion, and it promises to be an exciting game as India look to force the victory that would bring them a tie in the series.

Never particularly good playing away from home, India maintained the poor run of form that has seen them not win a Test series outside their home country since 2011 in the West Indies.

New Zealand were on top early, putting on a superb 503 all out in the first innings in Eden Park, helped enormously by 113 from Kane Williamson and 224 from captain Brendon McCullum.

Corey Anderson also continued his encouraging start to international cricket with 77 as New Zealand racked up their total at a rate of 4.13 runs per over.

For the visitors, Ishant Sharma led the bowling effort with 6-134, but their batting fell away as India were bowled out for just 202.

Rohit Sharma top scored with 72, while Neil Wagner took 4-64 and Tim Southee and Trent Boult took three wickets apiece.

New Zealand could have forced the follow-on but chose not to, and they were then blown away for just 105 in their second innings, with Ross Taylor their leading batsman with 41.

That left India a target of 407 to win, and things looked bad for the Black Caps as Shikhar Dhawan scored 115 for the visitors, who were making good progress towards victory.

However, New Zealand managed to hold their nerve and eventually bowl India out for 366 to win by 40 runs, with Boult, Southee and Wagner once again among the wickets.

Ahead of this match, there has been some controversy for the hosts, who have dropped Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell from their squad after a night out before the match in Auckland.

The pair are now being investigated for their actions, and New Zealand have replaced them with the uncapped pair of Jimmy Neesham and Tom Latham.

It promises to be a tight game, with India keen to fight back and tie the series and New Zealand determined to hold on to what would be a superb win on home turf.

Team News

New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt.), Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.

India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishwar Pandey

Key Players

Brendon McCullum

With 224 in the first innings, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is a man in form with the bat in his hand.

The Black Caps’ skipper will want to continue his good run, and he will also be crucial as a leader if his team are to secure a famous series victory over India.

Ishant Sharma

Last time out, Ishant Sharma took nine wickets in the match and exploited helpful conditions for bowling.

He will once again be one of India’s biggest threats with the ball, and New Zealand will need to find a way to combat him if he is to be neutralised.

*Note that all information has been taken from ESPN Cricinfo, unless otherwise stated.

The ICC T20 World Cup starts on 16 March and I think I've found a decent ante-post bet for punters seeking an interest.

If you take a look at the betting market for the T20 World Cup winner according to Oddschecker, then consider the form teams going into the event, you'll notice a large disparity.

New Zealand are currently available at 12-1 and that price looks too big for such an open tournament.

The Black Caps will arrive in Bangladesh having beaten the West Indies 2-0 in a January T20 series and more recently flayed India 4-0 in ODIs. Home advantage is, of course, an obvious help, but there's something about the manner of New Zealand's deconstruction of both the current T20 and ODI world champions that will give punters food for thought when contemplating a bet on next month's tournament.

This New Zealand team looks full of confidence, typified by the recent form of Ross Taylor.

What a difference a year makes. Having been unceremoniously stripped of the limited-overs captaincy in December 2012, he returned for the T20 series against England in February 2013 and looked nothing short of shell-shocked, compiling scores of 13, 4 and 6.

Twelve months down the line and Taylor has returned to the kind of destructive form he's always possessed. Back-to-back centuries in the final two ODIs against India will give him and the team immense confidence going to Bangladesh.

New Zealand will also be pleased with Martin Guptill's recent run of games, not so much because of the runs he's scored but because he seems to have overcome the injury issues that plagued his 2013 campaign. Guptil has a T20 average of 34.11 and at the top of the order, his brutal hitting can take the game away from the opponents. 

The middle order of Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson looks very strong. McCullum is one of the best players in the world, especially in the shortened format, and is always capable of a game-changing innings. Anderson, despite his relative inexperience, looks useful with bat and ball.

There's strength in New Zealand's bowling attack, too. In Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan, they possess real pace and provided they can get their lengths right, they're sure to pose a threat to any batting attack. They'll get hit for their fair share of runs, but both are genuine wicket takers, an invaluable commodity in T20 cricket.

They also have one of the world's best T20 bowlers in Nathan McCullum, currently third in the ICC world rankings. A good spinner is key to a successful T20 side and McCullum not only provides regular wickets, with a strike rate of 18.1, but conservatism, too. With an economy rate of just 6.85, he'll allow the quicks a little more freedom to bowl wicket-taking deliveries.

Another tick in the right box is the Black Caps' recent experience of playing in Bangladesh. They won their sole T20 against the hosts in Dhaka on 6 November last year, scoring 204 in the process, and despite losing the following ODI series 3-0, the recent experience of playing conditions in Bangladesh can only be beneficial.

Any of the top eight teams in the world can beat each other on their day, and I'm not suggesting New Zealand are the "good things" of tournament, but the 12-1 about them is too big in my view and a very decent each-way price.

Boylesports.com offer the most attractive place terms right now, going 1/2 odds on the first two places.

When the captains go out to toss the coin on 6 April for the final of the ICC T20 World Cup, hopefully we'll already be sitting on a winner.

Suggested Bet: New Zealand 12-1 e/w with Boylesports.com to win ICC T20 World Cup  

New Zealand made a superb start to the first Test against India at Eden Park, Auckland, with a Brendon McCullum century, leading them to 329 for four wickets at the close of Day 1.

The captain, who had not quite delivered with the bat in the team's 4-0 demolition of their hosts in the One Day International series, finished unbeaten on 143 at stumps as New Zealand made light of having been put in to bat first under overcast skies.

Kane Williamson also made a century; his 113 another excellent knock that, together with his captain, transformed the day for the Black Caps.

The new ball and the dark skies offered a bit of movement and nip early on, and with Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford and Ross Taylor all falling cheaply, New Zealand looked in trouble at 30-3.

The day was defined by McCullum and Williamson's stirring combination—they added 221 in 51 overs together, and given the pressure India's bowlers had applied in the morning session, it was something few watching on could have predicted.

India's menace ebbed away accordingly, though they were left to rue a drop from Murali Vijay at first slip that could have accounted for Williamson when he was only on 32. 

As it was, when Williamson finally did depart, strangled down the leg-side by Zaheer Khan, Corey Anderson was able to provide McCullum with valuable assistance.

He started slowly and nervously, but by stumps, he was 42 not out, having taken a shine to the second new ball late in the day.

If the pair of them can reprise their partnership on Day 2 and New Zealand's long tail wags again, the first innings total could be a match-defining one.

After a 4-0 sweep in the one-day internationals, New Zealand will be brimming with confidence as they head into a two-match Test series against India, starting on Thursday.

What: New Zealand vs. India, first Test

Venue:  Eden Park, Auckland

When: Tuesday, Feb. 6-10

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

Live on: Sky Sport NZ, Sky Sports 3 UK

Weather: Accuweather doesn't have the best forecast. There's rain predicted all through the Test match, although there's also a bit of sunshine around. How much time is taken out of the Test remains to be seen, but coping with the delays will be a factor for both teams.

Overview

New Zealand and India will begin the first of two Tests starting on Thursday and the hosts will almost certainly be the more confident of the two sides. New Zealand crushed India in the ODI series, and they are also fresh off a 2-0 Test series victory over the West Indies. 

Historically, though, those results are a significant improvement after some struggles in the Test arena. In the last two years, the Black Caps have won just three out of the 21 Tests they have played. 

India have a much better record, having won nine out of 14, but they have just been beaten away from home by South Africa. Those are the only two away games India have played in that period and overall, they do not travel very well. India last won a Test series away from home in 2011 when they travelled to the West Indies, and they suffered famous 4-0 defeats in both England and Australia. That record might be a quiet boost for the Black Caps, who are a team on the up.

Some of India's stars featured in a drawn tour match, but the top order of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan couldn't do much against a group of relatively unknown bowlers. Neither managed more than 30 and only two players, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, scored more than 50.

Test match intensity is, of course, much different compared to all the other cricket India have played over the last few weeks and with plenty of rain about, both sides will have to think carefully about their strategy, especially if pushing for the win is the end goal.

Eden Park is traditionally slow and in favour of the spin bowlers, something which India will relish. The last game played there saw New Zealand draw against England with just one of the opposition players managing a hundred. 

Expect a frustrating Test with a number of possible delays and a draw the most likely result.

Key players 

New Zealand

Corey Anderson has already shown that he has got what it takes in the one-day game and has notched up a hundred in Test cricket already. Time in the Test will be shortened due to the likely rain and if Anderson can adapt his game to play a brisk knock, it will serve New Zealand very well. 

India

Ravi Jadeja is not only a handy bowler, but he's also more than apt with the bat. He was handy in the one-day series and although it's not yet certain whether he will play in the Test, if he gets the nod, he will have a massive role to play overall.

Squads

New Zealand

Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Jesse Ryder, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

India

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishwar Pandey

Statistics and squads from Cricinfo

Corey Anderson has been in impressive form for the Black Caps as of late. Anderson had a slow start to the year, taking just one wicket in five games across the two limited-overs formats. He was pretty handy with the bat in those dry periods, though, but it was the last three ODIs where Anderson really impressed.

His performances against India have been really solid, and he topped it off with 5 for 63 in Auckland. He broke the record for the fastest century on New Year's Day, and talk understandably focused on his batting, but his bowling efforts in the last three ODIs against India show that Anderson has all the potential to become a world-class all-rounder.

In fact, during his school days, Anderson was a bowling all-rounder. His coach at the time, Neil Fletcher, spotted his talent and after consultation with his parents, he changed his approach. Practice sessions consisted of hitting sixes against a bowling machine, according to Alan Perrott of The New Zealand Herald. 

Although he is far from the finished product, Anderson's all-round exploits earn him the Bowler of the Month gong for January. In the game against India, where he picked up five wickets, he showed exactly why he is very much still a rough diamond of a bowler. 

His penultimate over was tight and included a wicket, too, but it was the final over of the innings where he stumbled. Up against a fierce Ravi Jadeja, Anderson struggled to hold his line and was clobbered all over the park by Jadeja.

The match resulted in a dramatic tie.

What Anderson does have is an X-factor quality as well as the ability to thoroughly entertain crowds with either the bat or ball. He is but a mere medium-pacer and will still learn the hard way just how badly that kind of bowling can be punished on faster tracks. If he learns to perfect some stock deliveries, though, he could very well become one of New Zealand's greatest assets. 

Many will debate whether a batting all-rounder should earn the prize of bowler of the month, but Anderson's game-changing antics against India at Auckland is what gets him the nod for January. We're having a Duncan Fletcher-esque moment and judging his bowling a little on his batting, but why not?

His next challenge comes in the five-day format if he is called upon to face India in the Test series.

January Performance Summary

Also in contention was fellow Kiwi Mitchell McClenaghan, who is on course to become the second-fastest to 50 ODI scalps behind Ajantha Mendis, who got there in 19 matches. The left-armed paceman currently has 48 wickets in 22 games and his swing and seam has been a real asset for New Zealand. 

In the Test arena and a close second choice for bowler of the month, Suranga Lakmal tops the wicket-takers list in Tests after just four matches in 2014. The Sri Lankan has taken 18 wickets at an average of 27.38.

While he did nothing quite as dramatic as Anderson, Lakmal has been a consistent leader of Sri Lanka's attack this year. His lanky stature allows him to get extra pace and bounce, even on pitches which offer little to nothing for bowlers. 

As New Zealand and India warm up for their two-Test series, the tourists travel to Whangarei to face a second-string New Zealand XI at the Cobham Oval.

Venue: Cobham Oval, Whangarei

Date: Sunday, February 2, and Monday, February 3, 2014

Start time: 21:30 GMT (Saturday Feb. 1)

Live on: Not available on TV.

Weather: According to AccuWeather, both days promise to be sunny and pleasantly warm, with temperatures hovering around 23 degrees Celsius.

Overview

India’s tour of New Zealand has not been very successful so far, with the tourists unable to win in the One Day International series and finding themselves dislodged as the No. 1 ODI side in the world.

At the conclusion of the five-match ODI series, they welcome their Test squad, who travel to Whangarei in northern New Zealand to face a second-string team in a two-day game.

The Indians have selected a strong squad for the two-Test series and have included seamer Ishwar Pandey for the first time after he took the most wickets in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy.

Their batsmen impressed during the last Test series against South Africa, and that unit remains unchanged, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara relied upon for the bulk of their runs.

For this game, the New Zealand XI will be led by Peter Fulton, who alongside Hamish Rutherford and Anton Devcich is one of the few players to experience international cricket.

Otherwise, they have a young squad who could all be involved in international cricket in the coming years, and who will be hoping to have a big impact in this two-day game.

Fulton and Rutherford are also both in the squad for the Test matches, which is unchanged from the team that beat West Indies 2-0 in December.

Team News

New Zealand XI (from): Peter Fulton (capt.), Roald Badenhorst, Jono Boult, Anton Devcich, Tipene Friday, Jono Hickey, Shawn Hicks, Ian PcPeake, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Seifert, Ili Tugaga, Henry Walsh

India (from): MS Dhoni (capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishwar Pandey

Key Players

Anton Devcich

Having had a taste of international cricket late last year, Anton Devcich has the chance to re-establish himself in the New Zealand team if he performs well here.

The Black Caps’ bowling unit has looked strong in the ODIs, but Devcich has the ability to break in if he can put together some good performances.

Ishwar Pandey

India’s newest Test call-up Ishwar Pandey will hope to force his way into the Test team with a good display here.

The tourists already have a strong seam attack including Mohammed Shami and Zaheer Khan, but Pandey took the most wickets in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy and promises much at the international level.