We often want to play with flair and be aggressive: Mike Hesson

In the past decade, the Black Caps are easily the most improved side. They go about their business calmly and do not shout out about anything. The aggression can be seen in the way they play and they hardly utter a word. Their big break came in the 2015 World Cup where they finished as the runners-up. The way Brendon McCullum led the side was sheer brilliance.

New Zealand are a versatile and a consistent side at home. In the ongoing series against Pakistan, they are already 3-0 up and threaten to take the series 5-0. Though they haven’t displayed the typical New Zealander performance, they have been very smart. The middle order has remained patient and has worked towards a respectable score rather than slogging and giving away their wickets cheaply.

Winning-spree

“We were very smart on surfaces that perhaps haven’t allowed us to play how we’ve wanted to play. We often want to play with a bit of flair and be aggressive with everything we do with the bat and sometimes conditions don’t allow that. We’re improving and I think we’re playing some smart cricket, particularly on a variety of surfaces, so that’s very pleasing,” Mike Hesson, New Zealand coach was quoted as saying ahead of the 4th ODI.

On a relatively slower pitch in Dunedin, Trent Boult and Tim Southee broke the backbone of the Pakistani top-order. At one stage they were reeling at 9/3 inside 10 overs. It was probably the best first 10-overs fans will get to witness from the bowling teams’ point of view.

“Last game was pretty close to perfect on a tricky surface. I think the first 10 overs, that’s the best I’ve ever seen. In terms of when you have to bowl into the wind, Tim’s five overs into a howling gale, he never missed the strings, kept hitting the top of the bat, he was exceptional and obviously Trent was relentless from the other end,” Hesson added.

New Zealand have now won 10 straight games across formats. The team looks settled on the outside and with the series already in their kitty, they have the option to try a few things with their line-up.