NZ’s worst losing streak since 2016

If it loses its sixth straight match at Seddon Park here Wednesday, it will be its worst run since 2012, when it struggled away against the West Indies and India.

Seven losses would put it in a place it hasn’t been since the start of 2005, when it was beaten in a Twenty20 (the first ever), five ODIs, and a Test by Australia. After that comes its worst losing run this decade, which took place way back in 2002, when it suffered nine defeats in a row to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the West Indies. In playing three of world cricket’s superpowers, England, Australia and India, back to back, the Black Caps gave themselves an almighty challenge this summer.

After a solid start against England, where it lost the Twenty20 series only in a super over, it won and drew the two Tests. First there were the three Test losses against Australia, played over a four-week span where Kiwi fans ran out of things to pick apart, and almost everyone’s head was called for, justifiably or not. Then there were the losses at Eden Park, where India comprehensively outplayed the Black Caps, first in chasing down 203 with an over to spare, then in restricting them to 132 before settling in for a comfortable run chase.