New Zealand Cricket Team

The New Zealand cricket team, also known as the Black Caps, played its first Test in 1929-30 against England. However, it was only in the 1955-56 season that the team won its first Test against the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland. Pakistan was its first ODI opponent in a match played at Christchurch in the 1972-73 season.

The Kiwis, as the team members are also referred to, have produced some top-class international cricketers. Foremost among them is Sir Richard Hadlee, one of New Zealand's and the world's best all-rounders. He took the then world record for most Test wickets (374) against India at Bangalore in 1988. He lost the record to Kapil Dev eventually and of course, other bowlers who have surpassed them by now. Hadlee was the first bowler to reach 400 Test wickets, again getting there while playing versus India at Christchurch in 1990. Martin Crowe, John Reid, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Craig McMillan, John Wright, Ken Rutherford and a host of others have notably served New Zealand cricket over the years.

Stephen Fleming is one name that stands out when it comes to the most successful captains of New Zealand. He led the team to 28 Test victories, more than twice as many as any other captain. Replacing him was Daniel Vettori, whose name was synonymous with New Zealand Cricket for a long time. The team has been quite unlucky with regard to its World Cup campaigns. They have made it to the semi-finals six times but have failed to qualify further each time.

That all soon changed though. In the 2015 World Cup, under Brendon McCullum's inspirational leadership, New Zealand made it to their first-ever final, although they eventually ended up losing to Australia. Soon after that, Kane Williamson was given the command of the Kiwi team. 

New Zealand prospered under the able captaincy of Kane Williamson and winning a Test series against Pakistan in the U.A.E. was one of his biggest achievements. The Black Caps, wearing the underdogs tag, once again performed supremely in the 2019 World Cup but failed to cross the last hurdle in a thrilling final at Lord's.