A jolt of Boult is what the Black Caps need - Opinion
The ongoing tussle between the Kiwis and the Windies in the Caribbean highlights two important aspects of cricket. The first is flashes of brilliance from the latter and resilience from the downtrodden Black Caps side, where the former is plagued with a
plethora of issues ranging from injuries to dehydration. For any acute cricket observer who watched the first two ODI’s at Sabina Park in Kingston, one would notice that many of the New Zealanders, including spearheads such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KD-Mills-c1781, lacked
the intensity and body language needed to compete against a side which has been traditionally strong at home.
Southee’s rhythm for example, was all about huffing and puffing during his delivery stride in Jamaica and Kyle Mills began to twitch when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221 deposited his deliveries over the SP boundary ropes. The 3rd ODI however, lead to a revival in
Kiwi spirits after they comprehensively thwarted the Windies into submission. It may have been deflating for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 fans, but for neutral cricket observers, Trent Boult's bowling and intensity was the call of the hour for a side which continues to push
the self detonation button time and again.
Boult’s stride to the crease and his immaculate line and length to the likes of detonators such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DR-Smith-c1401 and Chris Gayle was reminiscent of any young player who wanted his side to perform well. His body language signified intent and purpose and with
his http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 looked a different outfit.
Boult idolizes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292, and despite his lack of height and ability to reverse swing the ball, his bowling was commendable on a bone dry surface. The third ODI helped him bowl a series of overs which only resulted in two or four runs being scored off
of him. He ended up with an economy rate of 5.29 in the end however, but that in part can be explained by the West Indians going after him when they desperately needed some runs.
Minus that part of his bowling, then Boult’s intensity and nagging line and length could be the antidote that the Kiwis need in times when their fans continue to look elsewhere besides cricket for entertainment.
For those who followed him in South Africa’s tour to New Zealand in 2011-12, he bowled with purpose and managed to dismiss the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692, a player whose wicket is as prized as gold from Kimberley. That performance however, may not bring a young
cricketer into the limelight but since New Zealand’s heroics in the last world cup, a state of ‘free-fall’ in Kiwi cricket has been witnessed.
New Zealand was not only outplayed in many encounters, but they lack the fighting spirit which managed to win them hearts across the globe. They were never an http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757
whose talent almost always deserted them during crunch games. They were considered a mediocre outfit which fought above their weight and players like Shane Bond, Vettori, and Cairns helped them regain that spirit which could even knock the socks out of the
best opposition(s) in the world.
That intensity might have deserted the Black Caps of late, but Boult's performance yesterday was a sound reflection of what could be a revival in spirits. The spillover effect was evident as there was a massive difference in the manner in which many co-players
such as Southee were bowling yesterday as compared to the ODI’s previously. The times that Boult managed to beat Chris Gayle’s bat is an achievement given that his opponent is known to hammer the likes of Lee, Steyn and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Z-Khan-c98379 all into submission. Considering
him to be a future star would be a gross exaggeration, but the way he bowled and the intensity he has shown is probably something that New Zealand would need, to try and uplift them in the Caribbean and future encounters.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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