11 reasons why New Zealand is better performance (source:Times of India)
The great escape by New Zealand in the second Test against India in Wellington highlighted how much their cricket has improved this summer. Here are 11 reasons why a new era has dawned. Brendon McCullum's leadership Even before becoming New Zealand's first triple-century-maker, the skipper had gelled the operation; a scenario scarcely imaginable a year ago when cricket in New Zealand threatened to implode following the Ross Taylor captaincy demotion. McCullum deserves credit for balancing the needs of senior players, in particular Taylor, while convincing younger players they belong at international level. The 32-year-old is generally composed and communicates clearly, something the team has responded to well under pressure, like in the first-Test win at Eden Park. Then came McCullum's 302, something no New Zealander had achieved in 84 years of Tests. It wasn't so much the figure as the circumstances of its execution. His tenacity left an indelible mark on the co...