Great way for a tough summer to end

What a great way for Stephen Fleming's CLEAR Black Caps to finish the season.

Flem indicated that this was the most complete performance he had been involved in as captain. The way the team was so dominant throughout the game was just great to watch and they never let the foot off the throat.

There was comment that on day one the New Zealand bowlers had great conditions to bowl in. This wicket was no different than any other Hamilton wicket I have seen.

While the New Zealand bowlers did a great job, there was a complete lack of application from a weak-minded Pakistan team.

That first session lost them the Test. What was needed was for players to dig in and see the new ball off. Instead a flurry of strokes brought about their downfall.

Daryl Tuffey and Chris Martin showed what they have learnt throughout a long, tough season where they carried the bowling attack without any senior bowlers being there to help them.

It will be a well deserved rest for them in the winter then the opportunity next summer to put what they have discovered this year into practice against some very good sides.

The finds of the season would have to be Mark Richardson and Matthew Bell.

Richie has been a revelation not only to his team-mates but I would hope also to the New Zealand domestic players, who often think they are getting past their best and may never be selected to play for their country.

Stick at it, play with passion and always believe.

Richie, a late blossomer did but now is a very good international player.

And Matty Bell. He always had the ability but went away and sorted his own game out. Congrats to him and may he score many more centuries.

Adam Parore had his best season behind the wickets and his work rate there is fantastic. He now just plays cricket and it's great to see.

Matt Sinclair will be itching to take on the Aussies next summer as he has some scores to settle with them and when he's on song there is no-one harder to get out.

Now, two guys deserve special mention.

Craig McMillan has taken his game to a new level this season. I was thrilled to see him play so passionately this year in the face of some unwarranted media attention. He will always play hard, he will lead from the front and never take a backward step, and I hope he always does that.

The other is Stephen Fleming who, at the start of the Pakistan series, said 'I want to do things my way.'

A one-day series win and a drawn Test series is what he got. He will be disappointed with that but has begun another chapter in his cricketing career and this is one which will see him end as New Zealand's greatest Test captain.

Good luck to him in England and I know he's looking forward to just playing cricket and developing his game.

Lastly, the most disappointing part of the season comes in the manner of criticism.

Criticism from those involved in the game.

We sometimes judge too quickly in the great game of cricket. Sure, there needs to be a critical element placed upon all things. How would we ever learn otherwise?

The thing that bugs me is where that criticism comes from.

This can be summed up best by whenever the team has a losing streak out comes a man like John Morrison, being asked for comment.

This man played 17 Test matches for New Zealand and averaged 22! As a top order batter!

That's like asking a bank teller to comment on the state of the nation's economy.

I blame both print and television for going to him for critical assessment.

Let's get people who will give an informed critical appraisal for the good of the game.

Not some mediocre past players who want to put the boot in every time something goes wrong.

Personally, I think that says more about the person making the comments. Let's all get behind the team objectively in criticism and in praise, because next summer brings great challenges and a chance to topple the best!