ESPNcricinfo takes a look back at how the New Zealand players performed during their series win over West Indies
Andrew McGlashan23-Dec-201310Ross TaylorIs a player ever worth a full 10? It’s hard to argue that Taylor isn’t. Three hundreds in a variety of conditions and almost 500 runs. For a player who began the year considering his future after being sacked as captain it was a magnificent way to end 2013. Comparisons with his mentor Martin Crowe will continue and now they don’t appear out of place, even if tougher attacks await him.9Trent BoultSkillful, precise, menacing. There was barely a bad spell from Boult, save perhaps the opening day in Hamilton where he suffered a hangover from the career-best 10 for 80 in Wellington. Sure, he’ll face stronger resistance from many batting line-ups, but the sharp late swing – and not just with the new ball – makes him a constant threat. This year has set up his career.8Tim SoutheeDoes not always get the rewards he deserves for high-class spells of swing bowling. Not express pace, but can sustain a decent clip and his stamina is far improved of a few years ago. His third-day spell in Wellington of 9-1-19-3 during the follow-on was his best of the series. Reached 100 wickets in Hamilton. A very sharp slip fielder, but his batting is more miss than hit.7Kane WilliamsonMissed the first Test with a thumb injury, then looked a classy batsman in the matches he played. His back-foot strokes are outstanding – just needs to work on chasing deliveries outside off stump that he could leave alone. Bowling remains very useful and his catching can be breath-taking as witnessed by his grab in Hamilton to remove Shivnarine Chanderpaul.Brendon McCullumEnded a three-year wait for a hundred in Dunedin but couldn’t quite sustain his batting after that and continues to divide opinion in New Zealand cricket. However, he captained with verve and held his nerve about the follow-on in Wellington which proved fully justified. His attacking instincts are aided by a strong new-ball attack, but the runs will need to continue.Corey Anderson continued to suggest he could be a long-term solution to the allrounder’s role•Getty ImagesCorey AndersonHas all the makings of a top-class allrounder. His batting is a touch unrefined at the moment, but does not look out of place at No. 6 even if Sunil Narine posed him problems. His poise at 44 for 4 in Dunedin bodes well for future rescue acts. Did more with the ball than was probably expected and his economy is an added bonus. Another safe catcher.BJ WatlingCemented as the Test wicketkeeper because of what he brings with the bat as much as the gloves. His innings in Wellington was another example of his ability with the lower order. No huge mistakes behind the stumps.5Hamish Rutherford Started with a sparkling innings in Dunedin and ended unbeaten in the Hamilton chase, but careless dismissals undermined his series and he has yet to fulfill the promise shown by his debut 171 against England.Ish SodhiHad a minor role in the final two Tests. It would have been fascinating to see how he’d handled the pressure if the seamers hadn’t dismantled West Indies in the second innings in Hamilton. Dunedin showed much promise, as well as reminders of how raw he is. Will New Zealand hold their nerve with him when India arrive? Batting helps bolster the lower order. Fielding needs work.Neil Wagner You can’t deny the effort, but an average of over 45 will test the faith of the selectors against stronger batting teams. However, he does extract wickets during flat periods of play and got better as the series went on.3Peter FultonAfter his twin hundreds at Eden Park in March, Fulton is starting to tread water again at Test level. Like Rutherford, Fulton made one half century. Still very vulnerable to the moving and struggles to rotate strike against spin. The domestic form of players such as Tom Latham will be making him nervous.Aaron RedmondFollowed the Fulton route with a belated recall to cover for Williamson, but it may have been a brief return. Technically he remains next in line if an injury occurs.
