England cricket captain Ben Stokes has heaped praise on New Zealand’s achievements in India after they made history by sweeping the hosts three-nil in their recent series.
Speaking on the eve of the first Test at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, the Christchurch-born Stokes said the result by his Black Caps counterpart Tom Latham and his team was "huge".
"You have to hold your hands up and give a huge amount of credit to New Zealand," Stokes said today.
"The fact they were able to go to India and win all three games the way they did… particularly after the first Test where the conditions were probably more like England but to win the next two which were probably more favourable to India's style of cricket… Going to India and winning all three Tests is huge.
"It’s massive for world cricket that India have been such a force in their home conditions and New Zealand have gone over there and won three-nil. I think it’s a huge thing for cricket in general.
"There are a lot of teams who have gone over there and wished they could have done the same thing. It’s easier said than done."
Putting the achievement into added context was India’s recent Test victory over Australia in Perth, winning by 295 runs within four days.
England, meanwhile, arrived in New Zealand after a disappointing tour of Pakistan where they won the first Test and lost the next two by wide margins.
Watch the Black Caps' summer of cricket live and exclusive on TVNZ+
The Black Caps today named a predictable XI, with Wellington fast bowler Nathan Smith selected to make his Test debut. He will join Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke in a four-pronged seam attack.
The selections were confirmed on a day a pitch with very much a green tinge was unveiled, although — according to Stokes — not much can be read into that.
"New Zealand is one of those places were you turn up and look at the wicket and think the Test will only go for a day and a half."
Will Young will make way for Kane Williamson at the top of the order, the former skipper returning from injury.
Captain Tom Latham said of Smith: "He’s someone who has been successful in all formats and deserves his opportunity."
Latham added that Young, impressive in India, was unlucky to be left out but there was no question the addition of the prolific Williamson bolsters the side.
"Anyone of his calibre coming back into your XI boosts things regardless of where he’s at," Latham said of Williamson.
"He’s done it all around the world for a long period of time, he’s done it in all conditions, so having that experience to lean on is great. I’m certainly happy to have him back."
And while his side’s exploits in India took the cricket world by storm, they were in the past, Latham said.
"It was obviously an amazing couple of weeks… but that is in the past — it’s all about coming here and focusing on the challenge ahead. New conditions, new team. We’ll take confidence from that series and the way we played and knowing we can do it all around the world is something we can take into this Test.
"The guys are looking forward to getting out in front of a packed house, it’s going to be a great atmosphere."
As for Stokes, who left Christchurch to live in the United Kingdom when he was entering his teenage years, coming back to his place of birth to play had its benefits.
"It’s a question I always get asked when it’s England versus New Zealand," he said. "I’m English and just happened to be born in New Zealand. It’s a great tour, cricket wise and touring wise, but for me to be able to come back and spend time with family who I don’t get to see very often is an added value of touring here."
The Test in Christchurch is the first of three in the series. The others will be held in Wellington and Hamilton.
New Zealand team to play England in first Test
Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O’Rourke.
Watch the Black Caps' summer of cricket live and exclusive on TVNZ+
SHARE ME