For any side to remain dominant in test cricket, it is essential to winning overseas and defeat teams in their own backyard. The last couple of years have been fantastic for New Zealand, as the Kiwis have displayed an aggressive and lively brand of cricket. Their tour of England in 2015 was pleasing to watch as they drew the series 1-1.
As New Zealand embark on a tour of South Africa, the stakes are quite high for the team. They recently defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in a two-match series, and considering the current messed up the situation of the South African side, a potential series win awaits them. Coach Mike Hesson and skipper Kane Williamson admitted that this was New Zealand’s best chance to win in South Africa.
“We know we will only be judged a decent team once we start to do well away from home,” Hesson said. “We won in West Indies and Sri Lanka, and we are getting better. We were challenged here in Zimbabwe with both bat and ball and India are going to challenge us in a few months’ time.”
“Any time you tour away from home, the conditions are so diverse that the challenge is not just playing a different nation, it’s having to make big adjustments to your game and your approach as a team,” skipper Kane Williamson said. “Those are challenges that are unique to the international game and something every side finds difficult. It’s a leveler as well because everyone is most used to their home conditions. So when you go away you have to adapt as quickly as you can and it’s not an easy thing.”
For New Zealand to do well, Ross Taylor’s form in the middle order will be crucial. That was acknowledged by Hesson, who praised the right-hander. “He (Taylor) is in an excellent space. A very calm space and technically, he is playing nicely,” Hesson said. “He is training very well and is just making good decision after good decision.”