Smart, friendly, skilful: It’s a joy to see Kiwis flex their sporting muscle

There is a bird in New Zealand which – as the One Earth website writes – can “solve logical puzzles” and works “together to achieve shared objectives”. The kea parrot is intelligent and cheekily steals the rubber from the wipers of cars. It reminds me a little of the men’s cricket team from the same land. A smart, adaptable, tight unit which last week became famous for nicking a historic, first Test match series from India in India.

India’s men’s Test team at home bear passing comparison with the All Blacks in New Zealand. Think intimidation. From 2012 they’ve strung together the second-longest streak at home with 18 consecutive series wins. Indian spin usually turns teams giddy, but it’s the Kiwis whose dizzying skills ensured that on their 13th visit to India since 1955 they triumphed. All fortresses fall, but teams must believe it.