From 1877 until World War One
Between the World Wars
Post War to the WSC Revolution
The Professional Era to the New Millennium
The New Millennium and Beyond
Other Pages
Home Page
Article Archive
How the System Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Statistical Points of Interest
Current and Future Series Predictions
Links
Site Map
Information for Visiting Webmasters
Contact Us
Get Free e-mail ratings updates
Going in to the series, everything was stacked against the Kiwis. They had toured the Caribbean islands only three times in seventy years. While they had drawn eight Tests, they had never won a Test in the Caribbean in eleven attempts.
New Zealand's overall record against the West Indies was not flattering with only six victories from thirty attempts. New Zealand was also without star all rounder Chris Cairns.
However, despite battling against the odds, New Zealand comprehensively won the first Test by 204 runs. West Indies turned in what could only be called an insipid batting display in their first innings while the Kiwi bowling attack ran riot. Despite New Zealand making 337 in the first innings, all the home side could manage was 107 runs in reply.
Fleming then correctly batted them out of the Test by not enforcing the follow on. Chasing 474 for victory over two days, the home side only managed 269 runs.
From that point, the New Zealanders did nothing in the second Test to allow West Indies back into the series. In their final innings they even bored the spectators stupid by batting at lass than two runs per over to ensure the draw.
While the desire to leave the Caribbean with the series victory is commendable, it is not in Test cricket's long-term interests to adopt such negative tactics. Such tactics are seldom seen from Australia, South Africa or Pakistan.
Nevertheless, New Zealand has emerged with a historic victory. The win sees them draw clear of West Indies and claim seventh place in their own right.
This New Zealand side has again bettered their own previous best rating with a rating of 1025 points. That is the highest New Zealand rating since mid 1990.
From a West Indian perspective, their loss must be especially galling. The home side had just finished a Test series where they came back from losing the first of five Tests against India to win the series 2-1.
West Indies has also only lost series in the Caribbean to Australia in 1995 and South Africa in 2001 in the last thirty years. To have lost to New Zealand, a team that does not have the talents of the recent departed Indian side, is a particularly sad indictment of where West Indian Test cricket has fallen.
The West Indies' rating has now fallen to 1009 points and they hold outright eighth place. West Indies has never been ranked lower than eighth place. The West Indian rating was only been lower than 1009 points on a handful of occasions, mostly around the 1930s and early 1950s.
The West Indies team is not without talent. First among their batsmen is Lara, whose feats if not his record speak for themselves. Chanderpaul and Hooper should be able to provide significant support for Lara. Sarwan, Gayle and Hinds are also capable players.
The West Indian bowling attack is also not without talent. Certainly, the bowlers do not compare with the legendary bowling attacks of past years. Further, they do not seem able to hold a bat in their hands to support any remaining recognised batsmen. This reinforces the 'six out all out' mental edge their opponents have.
Both the batsmen and the bowlers suffer unduly with comparisons to the living legends who played during the 1980s and 1990s. No team can keep finding the quality of those players forever. The combination of them surfacing all at once is more a fluke than a result of good planing.
The problem, however, for the current team is more likely a mental one. West Indies are not used to winning. With their recent run of horrible losses, they do not give the impression that they are expecting to win. Until the team can change their expectations and their culture around they are likely to continue to flounder.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1216); 2. South Africa (1133); 3. Pakistan (1079); 4. England (1062); 5. Sri Lanka (1034); 6. India (1029); 7. New Zealand (1025); 8. West Indies (1009); 9. Zimbabwe (911); 10. Bangladesh (838).
