New Zealand cricketers have linked a record year of Test wins, after defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets yesterday, to a drubbing two years ago by South Africa.

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New Zealand have won five Tests in 2014 for the first time in a calendar year after series wins at home against India (1-0) and away in theWest Indies (2-1). They also drew a series with Pakistan (1-1) in the UAE earlier this month. Their previous best showing was four Test wins in a year, which they achieved five times in 1985, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2008.

New Zealand’s improvement could be connected to a disastrous innings of 45 against South Africa in January 2013, according to captain Brendon McCullum.

After that humiliation things had to change: “We sat down and worked out where we were at after being bowled out for 45 against
South Africa,” McCullum said.

“We knew we had to make some changes, not just from an internal point of view but also externally how we are viewed by the public. 

“It was essential to all of us that we wanted the public support and the best way to go about that is to make sure you’re out there and trying to represent New Zealand with everything you’ve got.”

After being humbled in South Africa – losing both Tests by an innings – New Zealand drew six and lost two of their next eight Tests before ending 2013 with back-to-back wins over West Indies. This year they have won five and drawn two of nine Tests.

“We want to make sure we are playing aggressive cricket. We are looking for results. You remember your Test wins. You don’t necessarily remember your draws,” McCullum continued.

“There is always pressure on places even when you achieve a record five Test wins in a calendar year.”

Set a meagre 105-run target on the fourth day of the first Test in Christchurch, the Kiwis took 30.4 overs to complete the victory with Ross Taylor not out 39 and Kane Williamson on 31.

 

 

McCullum said the platform for victory had been set by scoring 441 in the first innings after losing the toss and being put into bat on a green, bowler-friendly wicket.

 “We desperately wanted to bowl but we found a way with the bat to make a score that was going to be competitive,” he said.

“Then, when you’ve got the seamers that we do have, who are swinging the ball in the air and getting bounce off the wicket, you’re always going to be in with a chance.”

Although Williamson and Taylor steered New Zealand home, the victory was built on McCullum’s swashbuckling 195 first innings
knock and the lethal swing and seam bowling of Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

 

 

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said the game was as good as over on the first day when McCullum cut loose.

“You can’t do much when a guy walks in and gets almost a double hundred in a couple of sessions,”he said. “It was an unbelievable innings by Brendon. It was one of the best I’ve seen.

“He was playing as if it was a Twenty20 game. It was just going all over the park. He was just smashing it, and whoever came his way went for a lot of runs.”

After Sri Lanka were forced to follow on 303 runs in arrears of New Zealand’s 441, they ground out a gritty 407 but the size of the first innings deficit meant New Zealand were never under any serious threat.