D'Arcy Waldegrave: I was hoping the Black Caps would die on their feet

Saving the worst ‘til last? Let’s hope not.  

The end of New Zealand’s summer of cricket is upon us and although death at the hands of the Australian menace was essentially written in stone, I was hoping that this time the Black Caps would die on their feet after years on living on their knees. I was asking too much.   

Sure, cricket is a funny old game, and to write the Caps off after day one maybe foolhardy but historically it’s a fair path to take.   

It seems a sad way to celebrate the century of tests for two of our best, Southee and Williamson, but it underlines the uncomfortable fact that regardless of the quality of the men who make up the eleven, collectively the team are considerably lesser than the sum of their parts in the face of the West Island threat.   

The blamestorming is in full effect currently as the dazed and confused fanbase reach for any excuse salve to sooth their pummelled hopes.   

As the Wallabies have proven, from time to time the worm turns, but in the fullness of time, the cream always rises.  

So is it fair to judge this team on their results against the best team in the world, the team that have their number on an alarmingly regular basis?  

Yes it is.   

To be the best, beat the best. The continued failings against the Ockers overshadows all of the success this team has enjoyed over the years.  

Until the Black Caps dismiss the Australians on a regular basis, across all formats, we will never bask in the glory we all desire.  

That’ll do.   

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