MARTIN GUPTILL: F
A spot in a national test cricket team is like a giant target on your back, and Martin Guptill may finally have succumbed to the pressure of his.
Guppy finished second last in runs in his team this match, above only fast bowler Trent Boult. For his sake, I print his series batting average, but don’t be surprised to see someone different open New Zealands’ batting next time.
TOM LATHAM: C
Considering no batsman from either side stood out this match, Tom Latham recorded a respectable run total of 60.
He unfortunately just never quite keyed in this series, but with youth on his side (23), he’s in no danger of losing his spot, unlike his opening partner.
KANE WILLIAMSON: D
Despite a fantastic series, Kane Williamson never quite took off this match, taken for just 22 and 9 by Mitch Starc and Mitch Marsh.
Like ‘The Godfather III’, this one will quickly be forgotten about, and when New Zealanders talk of this series, they will talk of Kane Williamsons’ fantastic first two matches.
ROSS TAYLOR: C
Ross Taylor came crashing back down to Earth in Adelaide, taken by Siddle and Hazlewood for 21 and 32.
Had he not shattered just about every NZ batting record in Perth, his spot may be in a bit of danger, especially considering his age (31).
BRENDAN MCCULLUM: D
The big time elephant in the room for the Kiwis is their skipper, Brendan McCullum, who was found out spectacularly this series.
If not for Ross Taylors’ magnificent stand in Perth, he may have been staring at a 3-0 defeat, and that spells disaster for any captain. Will still be given plenty of rope however given his history.
MITCHELL SANTNER: A+
Leading his nation in runs and picking up two wickets, 23 year-old Mitchell Santner can be pretty happy with his debut.
Surely the bright spark in an otherwise poor Black Caps team has now moved firmly ahead of James Neesham as the sides’ all-rounder, at least for the next time the test team is picked.
BJ WATLING: C
BJ Watling was little more than “okay” this match, coming middle of the pack in runs and taking 4 catches behind as wicketkeeper.
Unfortunately that seems to be the story of his series, but he is still definitely the standout keeper in New Zealand.
MARK CRAIG: C-
Another median performer for NZ this test series, Mark Craig had another average match in the maiden day-night test.
26 runs and 2 wickets is nothing to hang your hat on, but it’s not a dreadful return either.
DOUG BRACEWELL: B
Despite a poor series beforehand, Doug Bracewell embraced the nighttime conditions in Adelaide, picking up 4 wickets, most notably David Warner and Joe Burns.
He also managed 38 runs, good for top-five amongst the Kiwis.
TIM SOUTHEE: D+
Tim Southee never quite found any consistency this series, and that carried over to Adelaide Oval, picking up only 1 wicket and scoring 21 runs.
Still one of the better test bowlers in the world, he will not be pleased at all with his performances this series.
TRENT BOULT: A
Much the same could be said of Trent Boult this series. Until he showed up to the pink ball test and sent 7 Australians back to the sheds.
He and Josh Hazlewood were the stars of the match, and funnily enough, Hazlewood dismissed him in at the end of their second innings for 5 – giving him a total of 7 runs for the match to go with his 7 wickets.
