'Rugby crazy' Kiwis backed as best 'pound-for-pound' punchers in world cricket

Former England batsman Ed Smith has claimed that despite their best young athletes often drawn to rugby, New Zealand are currently the best pound-for-pound punchers in world cricket.

Smith lauded the New Zealand squad after their dramatic surge up the Test rankings following a series win over Sri Lanka.

As the Black Caps celebrate their rise to the fifth spot in the Test rankings on the back of six series either won or drawn at home and away, people and media around the globe have taken notice, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Smith was happy to dish out praise for New Zealand in the wake of their latest two-nil whitewash of Sri Lanka in the short series completed last week. He said that Test cricket urgently needs good news, adding that now it has some with the re-emergence of New Zealand as a force in Test cricket.

Smith claimed that not only has New Zealand beaten Sri Lanka at home, just as notable was the 1-1 draw against Pakistan in UAE, adding that it was a far better return than Australia managed.

Smith said he wasn't surprised by New Zealand's revival, having witnessed the early signs. He said that two years ago in Auckland, he watched New Zealand nearly seal a series win against England, which went down to the last ball.

Smith said that all round, the progress and achievements of Brendon McCullum's team are exceptional.

Smith added that with 4.4 million people, though their best young athletes are often drawn to rugby, New Zealand, currently, are the best pound-for-pound punchers in world cricket.