Numero Uno: Are New Zealand invincible at home?

For the first time in their Test cricket history, New Zealand topped the ICC Team Rankings for Test cricket following their 2-0 series victory over Pakistan at home. Their recent win at the Hagley Oval has boosted their 6-match winning streak in Test cricket; their longest in this format. This streak includes wins against India, West Indies and Pakistan following their 0-3 setback on Australian soil.

If we go by the recent results of New Zealand, it is evident that the Kane Williamson’s boys have been ordinary away from home but too strong on home soil. The series win over Pakistan was their 8th consecutive Test series victory at home. Before this streak, the BlackCaps had not won more than four series in succession.

Dominance at home

New Zealand played a total of 16 Test matches in those eight series and lost none of them. They ended up winning 13 of those 16 Tests while another three ended in a draw. Their home dominance begun in 2013 as they have lost only three matches since then. Two of those defeats came against Australia in 2016 while the Aussies were on the top of their game and occupied the No.1 rank.

Mantra for success

Their only other Test series defeat since 2013 came against South Africa in 2017 after which the Proteas began to decline in the longer format. Bowling first and winning has been a trend with New Zealand at home, quite opposite to the way things pan out in the rest of the world. Pitches getting flatter as the game progresses has been the major reason behind this trend. Hence, there was a spike in teams electing to bat first in New Zealand but the visiting teams didn’t find success.

Another crucial factor contributing to New Zealand’s home success is their pace attack. The duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult handle things with the new ball, after which Neil Wagner tries to bounce out the batters with his sharp short deliveries. The emergence of Kyle Jamieson is going to add misery to the visiting teams especially from Asia who might not find much help for the spinners.