When New Zealand played their last international match this year

New Zealand doesn't prefer a hectic cricket schedule
New Zealand doesn't prefer a hectic cricket schedule

The cricket culture in New Zealand is quite different from others. New Zealand doesn't prefer a hectic cricket schedule; their board prefers providing appropriate time for the Kiwis to spend time with their family, also ensuring that they're fresh and fine before their cricket matches.

New Zealand hardly plays any matches during the snowfall season. As a result, the volume of their international matches is pretty low.

The Blackcaps played their last international match against England on 30 March 2018. Since then, they've played no international cricket match.

Let's see what was going on in the cricketing world when they played their last international match:


#1 Steve Smith was the No.1 Test batsman

Steve Smith is currently the No.2 Test batsman in the world, just behind Virat Kohli
Steve Smith is currently the No.2 Test batsman in the world, just behind Virat Kohli

The infamous 'Sandpaper-gate' took place on 24 March 2018. After some investigation, Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were adjudged as the culprits of the whole incident. However, Steve Smith was still the No.1 Test batsman back then by a fair margin.

Even after Steve Smith was banned by the official cricket board of Australia for 12 months, he was not excluded from the ICC Test Batsman Rankings. So, when New Zealand played their last Test match, Steve Smith was still the No.1 Test Batsman in the world, as per the ICC Rankings.


#2 Afghanistan and Ireland were yet to play their first Test match

Ireland and Afghanistan were granted the Test status by ICC on 22 June 2018
Ireland and Afghanistan were granted the Test status by ICC on 22 June 2018

When New Zealand played their last Test match, Afghanistan and Ireland were yet to make their Test debut. Although both the teams were handed the Test status by the ICC in 2017, they made their Test debut in 2018.

While New Zealand played their last international match on 30 March 2018, Afghanistan and Ireland made their Test debut on 14 June and 11 May respectively, this year. Thus, when New Zealand played their last international match, Ireland and Afghanistan were yet to make their Test debut in international cricket.

#3 Kohli was yet to perform well in England

Kohli was the leading run scorer in the England vs India Test Series 2018 scoring 593 runs, 224 runs ahead of the second highest run scorer, Jos Buttler
Kohli was the leading run scorer in the England vs India Test Series 2018 scoring 593 runs, 224 runs ahead of the second highest run scorer, Jos Buttler

Before the 'India vs England Test Series 2018', Virat Kohli was considered as a failure in English conditions, as he had scored just 135 runs in 10 innings, averaging just 13.5 in the Test series when India toured England in 2014.

However, when India toured England after four years for a Test series in August, Kohli proved all the allegations against him wrong after he scored 593 runs in five Test matches, smashing two centuries and three half-centuries.

Therefore, Kohli was still a poor performer in English conditions when New Zealand played their last international match.

#4 AB De Villiers didn't announce his retirement from international cricket

AB de Villiers announced his official retirement on 23 May 2018
AB de Villiers announced his official retirement on 23 May 2018

The whole cricketing world was stunned when AB De Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on 23 May 2018 through a video in social media. The retirement message came out of nowhere, and millions of his fans went emotional.

So, when New Zealand played their last international match, De Villiers hadn't announced his official retirement and seemed fit and fine to continue cricket for a few more years, at least till the 2019 CWC.

#5 The highest score in ODIs was 444, not 481

England scored 481 runs in their 50 overs versus Australia, eclipsing their own record of 444 runs against Pakistan
England scored 481 runs in their 50 overs versus Australia, eclipsing their own record of 444 runs against Pakistan

The year 2018 is a special year in world cricket, as England created history by scoring a total of 581 runs against their rivals Australia.

The previous record for the highest team total in ODIs also belonged to them, after they scored a mammoth 444 runs versus Pakistan.

However, England achieved the special feat of the highest ODI team total on 19 June. Since New Zealand played their last international match on 30 March 2018, the highest ODI score was 444, not 481, in that particular period of time.

Check RCB Squad 2024 Details. Follow Sportskeeda for IPL 2024 Live Score, Schedule, Points Table

Quick Links

Edited by Alan John