Inaugural world test champions the Black Caps have created a culture that sees them fight for each other rather than themselves, coach Gary Stead says.
The Black Caps celebrate winning the inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton. Photo: Photosport Ltd
The Black Caps won cricket's inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton yesterday, beating India by eight wickets.
Veteran batsman Ross Taylor (47 not out) hit the winning runs for the Black Caps after sharing in an unbroken 96-run partnership with captain Kane Williamson, who finished unbeaten on 52.
Despite two full days being lost to rain and other playing days disrupted by the poor weather in Southampton, Stead told Nine to Noon that the Black Caps did not give up on getting a result.
He said pitches in the UK could deteriorate very quickly, and the Black Caps did not want to chase too big a target on the last day, however, the bowlers took early Indian wickets "and we were very clinical in the way we played out there".
Stead said watching the Black Caps seal the title against the odds was incredible.
"It's a pretty, I guess, special and amazing achievement for the team to achieve what they have but we also appreciate those who have come before us and I guess put in the hard yards for New Zealand as well."
There were hugs, happiness and tears after Taylor scored the winning runs, he said.
"To come right down to that very very last moment was pretty amazing, pretty special and also to think that little New Zealand again can beat the power and might of India is a very special thing for us."
From left: Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and Devon Conway celebrate with the World Test Championship Mace after victory over India. Photo: Photosport Ltd
Despite two full days being lost to rain and other playing days disrupted by the poor weather in Southampton, Stead said the Black Caps did not give up on getting a result.
Listen to the full interview on Nine to Noon
Black Caps win World Test Championship
He agreed there was a strong culture within the squad which had been built up over a long period of time with all members buying in to the aim of putting the team ahead of themselves.
"As long as you, I guess, live those behaviours and are really really true to them, it shows you don't have to be the biggest dog but as long as you have the biggest fight in you - that's the key thing."
Stead said the squad has depth with several contenders waiting in the wings to take their place in the team.
The key to building a strongly performing unit had been keeping emotions on the same level and trying to improve every day.
"We're really conscious of trying to get better all the time and not overly focusing on results but just enjoying the moment we're in and making sure we really learn from all our experiences."
During his tenure as coach, Stead has faced criticism which he dismissed as "white noise".
"The game's not about me, it's about the players... my focus is on the people in the team here when we're together. I know hand on heart the job I do and the effort that goes into it... all the people who are part of the team are very very special to me."
Gary Stead rejects criticism of his coaching style as "white noise". Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Winning the inaugural World Test Championship would be especially sweet for fans disappointed by the narrow defeat in the world one-day championship two years ago, however, the latest title was even tougher to win over a two-year period, he said.
"That's what makes this a very very special moment."
Test matches are very hard to win requiring a lot of skill from a lot of people over a long period of time, Stead said, and both the team and himself regarded them as the premium form of cricket.