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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Brendon McCullum's Makes History Making Triple Ton!


Just as with JFK when he was shot all those years ago, people will be talking about where they were when they saw Brendon McCullum hit that boundary to bring up his triple ton, the first for a New Zealander in test cricket, and the highest ever - and greatest ever  - individual test innings by a Kiwi.

It was certainly a golden moment in New Zealand sport and definitely was pivotal in ensuring that the Blackcaps won their first test cricket series against a top 2 nation since the ICC Test Rankings came to force in the 21st century.

Yes the Blackcaps have beaten India in a test series before, back in 2001-02 but India weren't in the top 2 at the time and to be honest, the cricket in that series was utterly forgettable, having been played on green tops which were so one-sided towards the bowlers.



This achievement definitely ranks as one of the greatest in New Zealand cricket history particularly considering the position the Blackcaps were in the 3rd innings when they were 5 own and facing an innings defeat.

The 300-odd run partnership put by Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling must surely rank as one of the great rearguards in test cricket - one that the Barmy Army would be familiar with over the years and one that incredibly turned the game on its head. Even when BJ Watling were out, the game was still firmly in India's favour but at least that certainly tipped the balance of the match towards the Kiwis.

Neesham's partnership with McCullum definitely tipped the test, and series towards the Kiwis as the test debutant's aggressive batting against the new ball meant that the aging Zaheer Khan, et al had their heads down once again and had to contemplate the reality of a 2nd series defeat in the Antipodes and a tour of New Zealand which they ended winless.

The repercussions will be huge back home for cricket-mad India and big changes will be made ahead of the Asia Cup, Twenty20 World Cup and 5 test series in England that the Indians will undertake this year.

As for the Kiwis, they can look back at a truly memorable and successful summer of cricket and look forward to a bright future under Mike Hesson who has definitely made the Blackcaps a cricket side Kiwis can be proud of. There is plenty of depth particularly in the fast bowling ranks - Adam Milne, Hamish Bennett, Matt Henry, Mitch McClenaghan and even Doug Bracewell if he can get over his indiscipline, are pushing the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. And there's always Martin Guptill to pick for the openers.

Bring on the West Indies, and the 2015 World Cup!

Test series XI -

Rohit Sharma
Shikhar Dhawan
Virat Kohli
Kane Williamson
Brendon McCullum (captain)
Corey Anderson
BJ Watling (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Tim Southee
Neil Wagner
Trent Boult

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