Jamie How (58 runs @14.5) - 3/10
Jamie How began the tour with a hiss and a roar, a dazzling 170
against New South Wales apparently setting the tone for a
breakthrough tour for the dogged opener; but his Test return left a
lot to be desired.
His dismissals were soft (Ricky Ponting's brilliant last day catch
in Adelaide aside) and he was one of a number of batsmen that
simply threw their wickets away when patience was required.
The 27-year has been touted as a future Test captain, but an elusive century continues to evade him after 16 Tests. In fact he still only averages a shade over 23 and with domestic players such as Greg Ingram, Mathew Bell and Tim Macintosh breathing down his neck, another summer of mediocrity could see his demise.
Aaron Redmond (115 runs @ 28.75 and 2 wickets @ 23.0)
- 5/10
There is little doubt that Aaron Redmond saved his Test career with his out of character but bustling 83 on the first morning in Adelaide.
Those opening two hours were the only time that New Zealand can claim that they won a session against the Australian bowlers.
However Redmond's critics will point out that he, along with the rest of his comrades, should have scored runs on this batting paradise anyway and its his inability to deliver against the swinging ball that really questions his right to be an international opener.
He may have saved his place for now but he needs to strike consistency - and fast.
On a more positive note, his right-arm leg-spin proved to be a handy part-time option.
Jesse Ryder (70 runs at 17.5 and 2 wickets at 24.0)
- 4/10
It's fair to say that Jesse Ryder series started off with a bang and then progressively got worse.
His unlikely heroics on the first day denied Michael Clarke a deserved century and gave the New Zealanders a sniff of posting a first innings lead.
But by the time Ryder had thrown away his wicket on the second day, to a wide Shane Watson long-hop, the Black Caps faded out of the series like a beverage he use to treasure sinking.
The 23-year old is still very much in the infancy of his career and will be persevered with but after broadcasting that he's been waiting to face Australia all his life, he may harbour some regret that he couldn't perform on the biggest stage of them all.
Ross Taylor (160 runs at 40.0) - 7/10
Ross Taylor is the only Kiwi batsman that can walk away from the series with his head held high.
Taylor was unlucky to be given out LBW to a Stuart Clark
delivery - which was clearly going over the stumps in Adelaide and
he was the only Kiwi batsman on that day that didn't throw away his
wicket.
The 24-year-old would probably be disappointed that he made three
decent starts and didn't go to a big score but this is indicative
of the responsibility that was forced upon him.
It's a sobering thought that Taylor is seen as senior batsman after just 11 Tests yet that is simply the reality of the times.
Peter Fulton (36 runs at 18.0) - 4/10
Peter Fulton finally got his international recall after sitting through the tour of England patiently and scoring a healthy dose of runs on New Zealand A's tour of Australia and India.
After the dismal failure of New Zealand's top order in Brisbane (Ross Taylor aside) he was promptly flown over for the overawed Grant Elliot.
He made a start in the first innings, 29, but like most of his chums threw away his wicket by giving Andrew Symonds some more catching practice.
The next day, two-metre Peter pulled a catch out of the hat to get rid of Ricky Ponting and gave Iain O'Brien an opportunity to give him a serve, which he duly delivered.
All in all, limited opportunity for Fulton and he is worth another shot but the re-emergence of Jacob Oram and James Franklin may make the selectors think otherwise.
Daniel Flynn (88 runs at 29.333) - 5/10
Resolute in Brisbane and provided a sound demonstration of respecting good bowling on a zippy pitch.
Fell away in Adelaide but the young man has proven once and for all that he has the temperament for this level.
He provides a reassuring contrast to his streakier middle-order comrades and ideally could become the rock that others flourish around.
Brendon McCullum (125 runs at 41.666)
- 7/10
Well at least that's settled.
New Zealand's dashing vice-captain, with his last day 84 not out, established that number seven is his rightful place in the batting order.
When he bats any higher, his natural instincts become subdued with a disconcerting infection of responsibility. This is admirable on his part but he is at his most effective when he bats like we know he should.
Even though Brad Haddin cracked his maiden Test ton in Adelaide, McCullum's allround display with the gloves, including a brilliant first day catch of Brett Lee in Brisbane, would have him just edging the workmanlike Australian in the preferred keeping stakes.
Grant Elliot (9 runs at 4.5 and 1 wicket at 44.0) - 2/10
Grant Elliot may perform on the provincial scene but he is completely out of his depth in Test cricket
He has shown that he can be an able one day player but his bits and pieces skill-set has no place at the highest level of the game.
His dismissal on the third evening in Brisbane, on the last play of the day, reeked of fragility and with James Franklin screaming for his recall, his days are numbered.
Daniel Vettori (40 runs at 13.333 and 5 wickets at 39.4) - 6/10
You got to feel sorry for Dan. After rescuing the Black Caps from a historical defeat to Bangladesh he again observed his batsman play like lame ducks.
Not even the most successful number eight in the history of world cricket could come to the rescue this time but then again, it's hardly his job.
Vettori had little bowling to do on the seam-friendly Gabba wicket and then in Adelaide he was made to toil for nearly 60 suffocating overs as his pace-attack was getting dispatched with ease.
It seems that Vettori has the respect of the whole of Australia, so much so that they wish he was one of their own but unfortunately, he has an uphill battle if his team is ever going to compete with their big bros in the longer version of the game.
Tim Southee (25 runs @ 8.333 and five wickets at 45.0)
- 6/10
The 19-year old lit up the Test series on the first day with a spell of swing bowling that defied his years.
But we're getting use to that with Southee, the magnitude of the occasion has little effect on him and there's little doubt that he is here to stay.
It's a little worrying that he struggles in the second innings, he went took just one wicket in the latter innings in Brisbane, but his dedication to the cause can not be questioned.
A few hefty blows down the order gave his growing star power some further glow, he doesn't like to muck around and why should when he's batting with the clueless below him?
Iain O'Brien (4 runs @ two 1.0 and 7 wickets at 30.4)
- 7/10
Iain O'Brien hit the headlines the world over for his explicit blogging and then again for giving Ricky Ponting a good send-off and sadly this is what Australia will remember him for.
But if he kept his hacking less controversial they may have remembered that he dismissed most of Australia's top order through the series and that he is a true Kiwi toiler with an unbridled energy.
It's funny what people tend to remember.....
Chris Martin (2 runs at 0.5 and 6 wickets at 36.8333) - 6/10
The Chris Martin comedy continues, the Channel Nine team haven't had this much fun since Phil Tufnell spluttered around the great Island.
You got to feel sorry for him; I have been a critic in the past of his childish batting but on second thoughts it's not his job and you should never expect anything from a number eleven.
So let's focus on his bowling. He didn't let anyone down and there is no question that he is the spearhead of this team. If the batsman put as much focus and effort as he does into his bowling we would have a solid unit.
The age-bomb is ticking on the war-horse but you have the feeling he has the fitness and the desire to play on for some time yet.
John Bracewell - NA
It's all over.
