Why New Zealand's Tenacity Makes Them a Great Team to Watch

On Sunday, New Zealand became only the third team to win a Test against Pakistan since they were forced to relocate to the United Arab Emirates.

After being thoroughly beaten in the first Test and putting up a good fight in the drawn second Test, they secured a win to level the series.

It was an emotional win, as players all mourned the passing of Phil Hughes. After the win, Daniel Vettori said that they thought of Hughes as a teammate. He was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo as saying:

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It's been a very hard Test match to play and we're lucky that we've had Brendon and [coach] Mike Hesson and [our manager] Mike Sandle to lead us and really help the guys get through it, because a lot of guys knew Phillip very well and we felt like he was one of us, and we mourned him as a teammate.

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Despite the tragedy, New Zealand still displayed some of their dogged tenacity to record a famous win. The 690 runs scored in the first innings was the highest they have ever recorded in a Test. The innings also included 88 boundaries, which is the most hit by New Zealand in an innings. It was an all-round superb effort and another reminder of just why the Black Caps are such a great team to watch.

In a small country dominated by rugby, New Zealand have never really been regarded as one of the best cricket teams in the world. But what they lack in ability, they make up for in attitude.

In Brendon McCullum, New Zealand have a pragmatic batsman and captain. In Kane Williamson, they have a reliable number three. Ross Taylor is one of the best attacking players in world cricket. And Tom Latham has been an unearthed gem in Tests.

This is backed up by the bowling of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, two of the finest swing bowlers in the world and one of the most enchanting bowling partnerships going. Sure, they are not Dale Steyn or Mitchell Johnson, but they do not need to be.

In their own way, almost all of New Zealand's players can hold their own against the players often referred to as the best in the world. 

Boult's four-wicket haul on a track that had far more assistance for batsmen and spin bowlers than swing bowlers was even more evidence of just how great New Zealand can be when they get things right.

It will go down as one of the most famous wins in the history of New Zealand and perhaps cricket itself. And it should once again underscore New Zealand’s reputation as being one of the most endearing sides in world cricket.