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New Zealand appear to have been infected by England’s Bazball-style approach to cricket after losing the Trans-Tasman Test series to Australia 2-0.
Mitch Marsh (80), Alex Carey (98*) and Pat Cummins (32*) led Australia to a miraculous three-wicket victory in the second Test at Christchurch in a thrilling fourth innings run chase.
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‘I had no idea it was in 98’ | 00:34
The victory means New Zealand’s drought of not beating Australia in a Test since 2011 and in a Test series since 1993 continues.
New Zealand went into Day 4 on top and Australia needed 199 to win with five wickets in hand when Travis Head got out early.
New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell told SEN after the match that the New Zealand team is not “defined by results”.
“For us as Blackcaps we have always said that we are not defined by results, but by the way we play cricket and hopefully how we inspire our country to play,” Mitchell told SEN.
“We are really proud of the efforts we made during the test.
“Even though we didn’t get the win we wanted, I think if we keep turning up and playing cricket like this, sticking our chest out and doing it with a smile on our face and hopefully we will inspire a lot of young kids here in New Zealand. play Test cricket in the future then we are doing the right thing.”
Mitchell’s comments evoked memories of England claiming last year’s Ashes draw was a “moral victory” for the Poms.
Heading into the fifth Test at The Oval, England’s Harry Brook said it would be a “moral victory” for his team if they tied the series 2-2. England managed to do so, but Australia retained the Urn.
Mitchell’s comments were quickly criticized by New Zealand cricket greats Jeremy Coney and Ian Smith.
“I absolutely support the sentiment about the act that you are an international athlete and you train as hard as you can,” Coney said.
“You train your own individual skills and whatever it is, that doesn’t just mean batting or bowling, it means where you are on the field, what you’re going to do and what the requirements of the position are.
NZ v AUS: Test 2, Day 4 highlights | 08:19
“You don’t want to let your teammates down… all that kind of stuff, you do it for, what? Lose?
“Give me a break. (You do it) to win.
“Winning is actually the key to everything.
“For that it is not necessary to be an athlete either.
“Any position you do, you have to do it well so you can keep doing it at first. If you do it wrong, you’re out.
“So don’t tell me that the results have nothing to do with international sport.
“We kind of understand what he means. But in reality, little kids will follow Team New Zealand when they win.
“I promise you, Daryl, they’ll stay with you.”
Legendary commentator and former New Zealand goalkeeper Ian Smith said the phrase “not defined by results” did not stand the test in the world of sport where you win and lose.
“I’m in danger of getting in trouble,” Smith said.
“I’m going to take two or three deep breaths and then go on to say: I don’t think I’ve ever heard a New Zealand cricketer say ‘We’re not defined by the results’ of a Test match against Australia.
“If we asked Daryl Mitchell if he would have stood up and won that test, we would ask them the same question.
“He wouldn’t have said, ‘We didn’t really care about winning, it was more about the way we were appreciated and respected by our fans and our children who came to play.’
“Sorry…unless I’ve been that far away from the game. I do not understand that.
“I just don’t, and I hope it was just a mistake to be completely honest.”
‘Are you sure it’s a bat?’ – Is Marsh lucky? | 01:43
With the series result, Australia overtakes New Zealand and is second behind India in the World Test Championship standings.
It also continues the big brother, little brother complex between the two nations, a sentiment echoed by Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian in a commentary as the Aussies inched closer to victory.
“This is a big win for Australia,” Julian said on Fox Cricket’s coverage.
“Don’t worry if it’s against New Zealand or whatever.”