Greatest New Zealand Test XI of all time

Middle Order

Stephen Fleming (captain)

Stephen Fleming is the most successful and one of the best captains to have played for New Zealand. He led the Test team for almost a decade (from 1997 to 2006) and had 28 wins (the most for any New Zealand captain) out of 80 games.

Also, he is also one of the best Kiwi batsmen of all time. He is the leading run-scorer in Test cricketer for his country. In 111 Tests, he has scored 7172 runs at an average of 40.06. He crossed the 7000-run mark in his final Test series becoming the first New Zealander to cross that mark. His best performances came at No. 3 where he scored 2977 runs at an average of 47.25 and 6 out of his 9 Test hundreds came at No. 3. Thus, he is the No. 3 in the list and also will captain the side.

Martin Crowe

Martin Crowe was the torch-bearer of New Zealand’s batting in the 1980s and 1990s. He was one of the most elegant batsmen of his time and he also had a rock-solid technique.

Crowe who made his Test debut in 1982, had a couple of tough years finding his feet in international cricket. In 1984, he scored his maiden Test century which helped him take off and the following years he displayed brilliant consistency. Crowe had the highest score of 299 (the only batsman to be dismissed on 299).Martin Crowe was the torch-bearer of New Zealand’s batting in the 1980s and 1990s. He was one of the most elegant batsmen of his time and he also had a rock-solid technique.

He played 77 Test matches and scored 5444 (most runs by a New Zealander when he retired) with 17 centuries.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is perhaps one of the best New Zealand batsmen of the modern era. Not only New Zealand, he is ranked among the best batsman (across formats) in the world at the moment and is a part of the Fab 4 (which also consists of Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Joe Root).

The current New Zealand skipper made his Test debut (at the age of 20) back in 2010 and made 131 in Ahmedabad on debut against a strong Indian line-up. And that innings has set-up his career. His consistency over the years has just improved and he is probably on-course to becoming one of New Zealand’s best batsmen of all time.

In the 63 Tests Williamson’s played so far, he’s scored 5214 runs at an average of 50.62. He has also scored 17 Test hundreds which is joint-most for a New Zealander.

Honourable Mentions – Nathan Astle, Ross Taylor