Let's not get too carried away just yet

Almost a year since Doug Bracewell's 6/40 against Australia in Hobart, the New Zealand cricket team (Black Caps) have picked up a test win on foreign soil - a 167 run win against Sri Lanka in Colombo. It ends a five test-match losing streak and gives the Black Caps their first test win in Sri Lanka in 14 years. If it was not for the heroics of Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, the Black Caps would have won this match more convincingly, and a 1-1 drawn series is a fair reflection of how both these teams performed. Sri Lanka were sublime in the first match, and the same goes for New Zealand in the second match. I just wish that there was a third, final, and deciding match, even if it was only not to see the awkward sharing of the trophy between the two captains - Ross Taylor and Mahela Jayawardene - during the aftermatch duties.

A drawn series for Jayawardene (left) and Taylor (right)

I cannot help but use an annoying, over used sporting cliche: Have this team turned a corner? It is too early to tell. One win does not mean much in terms of the upcoming cricket season. The Black Caps will now enter the away tour to South Africa with some much needed confidence. It does not get anymore daunting than playing the current number one ranked test side in their own backyard. Out of the two test matches that will be played, another 1-0 series loss would not be that bad; a 1-1 drawn series would be a magnificent achievement and, who knows, perhaps a series win could be around the corner if the batsmen continue to match the quality of New Zealand's bowling attack.

Which is exactly why New Zealand won this test match: The bowlers had a score to bowl at. The Sri Lankan batsmen had a 300-plus score they needed to reach to gain a first innnings lead, which is something that has been all to easy for opposition batsmen over the past few years. The exploits of Kane Williamson and captain Ross Taylor in the first innings came at the back of another mini batting collapse where New Zealand found themselves 14/2 early on the first day. Both Williamson and Taylor made well-deserved, patient centuries in a 262 third-wicket partnership, and Daniel Flynn chipped in with 53 after another mini collapse. 

A promising duo: Boult and Southee

The bowling attack is a huge cause for optimism because in both Sri Lankan innings they ripped through the top order. Sri Lanka found themselves 12/3 early on in their first innings and 46/4 in their second innings at the end of day four - still needing a further 320-odd runs to win the match. The most pleasing aspect is that New Zealand's bowlers are still young and can swing the ball consistently. Both Trent Boult and Tim Southee are just 23 years old, and between them they took 15 of Sri Lanka's 20 wickets; Southee with 8 and Boult with 7. Doug Bracewell, 22, has also seemed to have cement himself in this team, in the short term at least, and his two early wickets of Jayawardene and Sangakara in the second innings, two of Sri Lanka's veteran batsmen, were crucial.

Then comes the old, but true, saying in cricket: Catches win matches. This was fully exemplified by the New Zealand team in both innings. Williamson pulled of an incredible one during the first innings and another almost equally as good in the second. Martin Guptil also took a great catch in the second innings to dismiss Suraj Randiv. The Black Caps have always been a quality side in the field and these recent instances reflect that and help to complement the bowlers very well.

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The statistics show that Ross Taylor has a better batting average as captain of the test team when compared to his average while he was not captain. I am not sure if this is because Taylor feels as though he needs to bat more responsibly as captain, or because he has matured as a batsman over the past few years, regardless of the captaincy. Anyway, I do not think that the team's string of bad performances this year has been due to his captaincy, but I do think that Taylor should not have to carry the burden of being captain of all three national teams (Tests, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20). Australia seem to have the right mix. Their Twenty20 team is made up of almost completely different players than their other two national teams.

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Ryder on his way to another century for Wellington

Veteran spinner Daniel Vettori should be fit for the upcoming tour to South Africa and his experience will be vital for the young bowling attack. I am also hopeful that polarising batsman Jesse Ryder is ready physically, but more importantly mentally, for next year's home series against England. Ryder's early form for the Wellington Firebirds has been outstanding, in both Twenty20 and the four-day matches. In the later form of the game he made back to back centuries against Central Districts in late October - 117 in the first innings and a match winning 174 off 136 balls in the second. However, I am under the impression that New Zealand Cricket will only give Jesse one more chance with regards to his behaviour. Therefore, it is important that his return to international cricket is not rushed and that Jesse is 100 percent ready.

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So back to the original discussion, a great all round performance, something that has been missing for too long. Again, I am satisfied with our bowling attack. All that is needed is some consistency and application from New Zealand's batsmen - in particular Taylor, Williamson, and Brendon McCullum - which will be paramount against the likes of Dayle Steyn, Vernon Philander and Jaques Kallis in the upcoming tour to South Africa.

 After this most recent win against Sri Lanka, my love for cricket has been restored momentarily and I am now looking forward to the upcoming tours. Let us hope that the Black Caps can deliver regularly and make it an enjoyable summer season of cricket.