Top 5 Test all-rounders from New Zealand

In Test cricket, possessing genuine all-rounders can make a massive difference to any team's fortunes. The unique advantage prevalent in such multi-dimensional cricketers could stem from their capacity to transfer momentum from one department to another in a seamless manner.

As with most other top teams, New Zealand have also been blessed with the presence of quality all-rounders for the vast majority of their cricket history.

Let us take a close look at five of the best all-round cricketers to represent New Zealand at Test level.

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#5 Jacob Oram

Recurring injuries restricted Jacob Oram's career to just 33 Tests

When he was not unfairly pigeon-holed as a limited-overs specialist, Jacob Oram was a useful player to have in the Test team too. While his tall frame helped generate extra bounce on seam-friendly surfaces in New Zealand, he could also take apart bowling attacks through his excellent hand-eye coordination and crisp hitting.

Frequent spells of injuries limited his Test career to just 33 appearances. However, he still found the wherewithal to create a reasonable impression by scoring as many as 5 centuries. Oram's deceptive medium-pace enabled him to break extended partnerships and procure vital wickets for the Kiwis.

#4 John Reid

John Reid was New Zealand's most versatile cricketer in the 50s

It would be an understatement to say that John Reid was a man of many talents. Were it not for rheumatic fever and some ill-fortune, he could have played rugby for the All Blacks. After shifting attention to cricket, the Auckland-born sportsman quickly rose through the ranks to become one of New Zealand cricket's early stars.

Reid played 58 Tests and scored 3428 runs at a healthy average of 33.28. If his electric stroke-play sullied opposition attacks, the right-armer combined off-breaks with an assortment of seam-up deliveries to prise out 85 wickets as well. Adding his dynamic fielding to the equation, no wonder he was such a crowd favourite.

#3 Chris Cairns

Chris Cairns produced numerous game-changing performances with both bat and ball

Even though his legacy has been somewhat tainted due to recent allegations of fixing, history will remember Chris Cairns as an eternal battler who combated countless injuries and still managed to carve out a remarkable career. Taking after his father Lance, Cairns' gifted potential was apparent from the moment he walked into the international arena. His destructive batting often turned seemingly hopeless situations into match-winning ones.

Apart from scoring more than 3000 runs including 5 centuries, Cairns delivered telling spells with the ball when his team needed him to rise to the occasion. His 218 scalps came at the cost of 29.40 apiece and comprised of 13 five-wicket haul

#2 Daniel Vettori

Daniel Vettori had a productive career spanning more than 17 years

Among left-arm bowlers, only Wasim Akram and Rangana Herath have picked up more Test wickets than Daniel Vettori. The bespectacled all-rounder grabbed 362 scalps from 113 matches at an average of 34.36. Considering the fact that he operated predominantly on pitches which were not conducive for spinners, his bowling record is quite commendable.

Upon starting as a specialist bowler in the late 90s, Vettori worked extensively on his batting skills and turned himself into a serviceable all-rounder. Capable of playing according to the situation, the left-hander was one of the smartest cricketers of his time. Later on in his career, he became a dependable batsman lower down the order and chipped in with plenty of useful knocks.

#1 Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee is one of the greatest cricketers of all-time

Sir Richard Hadlee's greatness can be discerned from the fact that he remains the only cricketer to be knighted while still playing international cricket. Among the four great all-rounders of the 80s, Hadlee's bowling prowess was significantly better than the likes of Imran Khan, Kapil Dev and Sir Ian Botham. To put things into perspective, he picked up a mind-boggling 36 five-wicket hauls in Tests alone. Only Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne have taken more.

Admittedly, Hadlee's ability with the bat was lesser than the other competitors in the top bracket of all-rounders. Yet, he still scored more than 3000 Test runs at a respectable batting average of 27.16 including a couple of centuries. Much more than just numbers, his contributions with both bat and ball often turned out to be decisive for New Zealand.