New Zealand played their first Test match in 1930 against England and it took them almost 26 years to achieve their first Test victory, it was in 1956 when New Zealand won their first Test match against the West Indies. Perhaps a country that is best known for its best cricketers, rather than by its cricketing records.
New Zealand has at times surprised the fans of cricket by performing to the best of its ability, however, despite getting fewer opportunities, it has disappointed a team like New Zealand many times on big tournament occasions.
Despite getting fewer opportunities, where the talent of New Zealand has not been presented to the world in that better way, but year after year there has never been any shortage in their talent. Recently, where New Zealand broke their old practice of not winning the major ICC Tournaments by winning the final of the World Test Championship under the captaincy of Kane Williamson.
Some such legends have been given by the history of New Zealand who have made the world crazy with their expectational talent, so who are they who have made a place in this team?
Glenn Turner
Without any debate, the first opener of this team will be Glenn Turner. A brilliant opener from New Zealand who had the power to change the game with his bat along with a strong technique. Glenn Turner made his Test debut in 1969 against the West Indies where he scored zero in the first and 40 in the second innings. After this, New Zealand team toured the West Indies where Glenn Turner hit four double centuries, something like this 202*, 223* (1st test match), 259 and 259 (4th test match) and ended up with 676 runs.
In his career Glenn Turner scored 2991 runs in 41 Tests at an average of 44.64, including 7 centuries and 14 half-centuries. While in the limited overs cricket Glenn Turner represented New Zealand in three World Cups in 1975, 1979 and 1983 where he averaged 88 in the 1979 World Cup.
Burt Sutcliffe
Played only 18 Tests in a career of 18 years, this left-handed batsman impressed everyone with his batting skills and due to which he made his place in this team as the second opener alongside Glenn Turner. However, due to the Second World War, his cricket journey started very late as a batsman who was adept at playing long innings. Sutcliffe, who made his debut for New Zealand in 1947, scored 2727 runs in 42 Tests at an average of 40.10. In first-class cricket, Sutcliffe’s innings of 385 runs against Canterbury was the highest score, which was broken by Brian Lara by scoring 501* in 1994.
Stephen Fleming (C)
One of the most successful captains in New Zealand's cricket history, Stephen Fleming has led New Zealand 111 times, the most so far. A settled left-handed batsman, first scored 7000 runs in Test cricket for New Zealand, a record which was broken by Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson in 2021.
Fleming, who made his debut against India in 1994, scored 7172 runs at an average of 40.06 in 111 innings of his Test cricket career, including 9 centuries and 46 half-centuries with 274* (against Sri Lanka) being the highest score.
Martin Crowe
There is hardly anyone better for the number four spot than Martin Crowe . One of New Zealand’s finest batsmen, Martin Crowe was an intelligent cricketer of his time, whose brilliant technique is still discussed among cricket pundits. Martin Crowe, who made his debut against Australia in 1982, struggled a bit in the early years of his career, Crowe did not look back after scoring his first Test century in 1984.
Crowe's highest score in Test cricket was 299 runs, a record which was later broken by Brendon McCullum by scoring a triple century. The 17 Test centuries of Martin Crowe testify to his ability, which was also the record for a long time. His 188-runs knock against the West Indies showed his ability to play longer hours innings, while on the other hand, his innings full of quick hundreds against Sri Lanka was a statement ahead of his time. Crowe scored 5444 runs at an average of 45.36 in 77 Tests in his Test career.
Nathan Astle
A brilliant player who was one of the finest batsmen of his time. With a strong technique, the right-handed Nathan Astle will easily make it to this team as compared to the others. Even today, the record of his innings of 222 runs remains in the fastest double century innings. In his Test career, Astley scored 4702 runs in 81 Tests at an average of 37.02.
Brendon McCullum
One of the most dangerous wicket-keepers in New Zealand’s cricket history, Brendon McCullum surprised everyone with his brutal batting across the formats. When it comes to wicket-keepers, the names of Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni are the first to come to mind but Brendon McCullum is at the top of this category, who started his cricket career with wicket-keeping, in which he was agile with acrobatics.
In 101 Tests, Brendon McCullum scored 6453 runs at an average of 38.64, including 12 centuries. New Zealand's Brendon McCullum is their only batsman to have scored a triple century in Test cricket. Apart from that, McCullum scored the fastest century in his last Test match against Australia in just 54 balls.
Chris Cairns
Without much thought, Chris Cairns is one of the most successful all-rounders after Sir Richard Headley. A maneuverable shrewd bowler who had the ability to derail the opposition's team, not only with his bowling but also with his impeccable batting.
Chris Cairns scored 3320 runs in 62 Tests at an average of 33.53 and took 218 wickets at 29.40 and became the sixth player to do so.
Sir Richard Hadlee
A superstar in New Zealand cricket history who laid the foundation for a different New Zealand cricket in the decade of 80's and 90's. Hadlee One of the most successful all-rounders in New Zealand cricket history who could perform with both bat and ball.
In his 17-year cricket career, Richard Hadlee took 437 wickets in 86 Tests at an average of 22.7, a record which was later broken by Kapil Dev. While batting, Hadlee made 3124 at an average of 27.17.
Shane Bond
No, not a bowler, he was a magician. Bond's deadly bowling caught everyone's attention, but a cricket career marred by injuries ended the career of a bowler who only comes once in a century.
A right-arm fast bowler who instilled fear in the minds of batsmen, Shane Bond was a bowler of a very different class. Bond’s specialty was that he could consistently bowl at a speed of 150 km/h. In just 18 Tests, Bond took 88 wickets at an average of 22.09 and a strike rate of 38.7.
Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori, who debuted at the age of just 18, is New Zealand’s second most successful bowler with 361 wickets and the eighth player in the world to score 4516 runs in Test cricket.
As a shrewd bowler, Daniel Vettori was known for his maneuvering bowling. Left-arm slow bowler stunned the world’s best batsmen with his maneuvering bowling ability. A lower-order player being so successful shows his potential.
Trent bolt
This team will be complete with the current left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult. Trent Boult, who made his Test debut in 2011, led New Zealand to victory against Australia on his home soil since 1985. Bolt was very successful in his early years against Sri Lanka, India, England and West Indies.
Trent Boult has been very successful in mixing his swing and pace with the new ball to confuse the batsman. In his test career, Boult has taken 292 wickets in 73 Tests so far at an average of 27.67 and it is expected that at the end of his career he will be one of the second most successful bowlers in New Zealand cricket history.
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