Since the inception of international cricket, successful pace bowlers have been the ones who hunt in packs.
Be it Shaun Pollock and Alan Donald, Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis or Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, they bowled in unison.
If one maintained pressure with strict line and length, the other would pick up wickets with sheer pace.
If one was swinging it round corners, the other would resort to the short ball.
Eventually, the combination would get their side big wickets and win them crucial matches.
Fans were treated to a similar delight in New Zealand’s remarkable recovery over the West Indies, which was led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
The two bowlers delivered splendid performances on foreign soil and repaid the trust shown in them by their skipper, Brendon McCullum.
The right hand-left hand combination picked up six wickets to swing the match their way and subsequently get New Zealand their first overseas series win in 12 years.
Defending 307 against Windies on the last day is no easy task, but the wickets, alongside economies of 2.93 and 1.75 respectively for Boult and Southee, brought a finely poised match in their favour.
It wasn’t all about the bowlers, however.
Kane Williamson played a key role in New Zealand’s success throughout the series.
The 23-year-old right-hander produced his career best knock of 161 not out in the third innings to take his side from a losing position to giving his bowlers something to defend and have a go at the opponents on the last day.
He milked the bowlers for runs and made sure he punished every bad delivery.
With 22 balls reaching the fence in an innings spanning 381 deliveries, this is one of the finest Test cricket knocks in recent times.
The match also serves as a classic example of why Test matches are still the most exciting format of cricket and the pinnacle of the sport.
