OPINION: One redemption story, a player of the series and two head-scratching underperformers among the men in beige.

This was the toughest victory of the lot, but they got there: five wins from as many home series for the men in black, and beige.
We rate the 12 Black Caps from the 3-2 victory over Australia, sealed in Wellington and highlighted by one redemption tale along with two head-scratching underperformers.
MARTIN GUPTILL
5 innings, 218 runs at 43.6, strike rate 159, highest score 97
Rating: 9
Another one heads skyward off Martin Guptills bat during his stellar knock in Dunedin.
Whats that f-word again? Ah yes, fickle. From a batsman who looked like he didnt know where his next run was coming from, to the swaggering Guptill of old, in the space of three days. Aint Twenty20 cricket grand? Coach Gary Stead backed him staunchly and was rewarded under the class is permanent proviso, which also saw Aaron Finch go from runless to destructive. Guptills run of form deserved scrutiny, and was a reminder of how a slump in the shortest format can be one big shot away from ending.
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TIM SEIFERT
4 innings, 27 runs at 6.75, SR 63, HS 19
Rating: 2
A shift down the order for game five was telling for Seifert who barely fired a shot and now may not play another T20 international until September as he jets off to the IPL. His place in an extended T20 World Cup squad looks safe, but he faces some idle time, albeit under the tutelage of Brendon McCullum in India. Devon Conway is just as good with the gloves and is a compelling plan B as opener/wicketkeeper in the top XI.
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Another tough night at the office for Tim Seifert as Australias Kane Richardson celebrates.
KANE WILLIAMSON
5 innings, 82 runs at 16.4, SR 122, HS 53
Rating: 6
Two cheap lbw dismissals to the whirlwind Riley Meredith in Wellington, and a rapid 53 off 35 balls in Dunedin which almost went unnoticed amid Guptills onslaught. Strong captaincy in game five with snappy bowling changes and use of part-timers Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips on a spin-friendly pitch, mixed with his go-to senior pacemen. Keeping Australia to sub-150 was essentially the winning of the game.
DEVON CONWAY
5 innings, 192 runs at 48, SR 140, HS 99no
Rating: 8
Bookended his series with a breathtaking, matchwinning knock in Christchurch then a cool, calm support role to Guptill in Wellington. The left-right combination was effective and we could see more of it against Bangladesh, with Conway looking the most effective up high having dominated for the Firebirds as an opener.
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Devon Conway hits out during his 99 not out in the series opener in Christchurch.
GLENN PHILLIPS
5 innings, 86 runs at 21.5, SR 156, HS 34no
2 overs, 0-21, economy rate 10.5
Rating: 6
Looked out of sorts with the bat by his high standards, then a horror run-out in game four, before he found his groove in the decider with a solid platform. Showed his worth as a finisher by blasting the Black Caps home in the chase and will have gained confidence from that. Offspin is a work in progress but he will be better for the run and is a definite option for the subcontinent later in the year.
MARK CHAPMAN
2 innings, 19 runs at 19, SR 158, HS 18
2 overs, 1-9, ER 4.5
Rating: 6
Played a cameo role for the ill Mitchell Santner then the axed Kyle Jamieson, but did it well in his brief appearances. Hasnt bowled a lot since shoulder surgery but offers plenty as a third or fourth spinner when its turning, and can strike at 150-plus with the bat as he showed for the Aces. A valuable, versatile squad member who looks a strong chance for the World Cup.
Phew: Jimmy Neesham and Trent Boult celebrate victory in game two after Neeshams final over came through.
JIMMY NEESHAM
4 innings, 74 runs at 24.66, SR 200, HS 45no
6 overs, 2 wickets at 39.5, ER 13.16, best bowling 2-10
Rating: 6
Did we say fickle in the same sentence as T20 cricket? From all-round matchwinner in Dunedin to second-most expensive New Zealand T20 bowling (0-60 off four) in Wellington was some ride for Neesham against his mate Glenn Maxwell. Dunedin at least showcased his value to the side with some breathtaking hitting power and a cool death over with 15 runs to play with, qualities that earned him another go at the IPL.
MITCHELL SANTNER
15.3 overs, 6 wickets at 16.16, ER 6.25, BB 4-31
3 innings, 10 runs at 5, SR 91, HS 7no
Rating: 8
Ironically the game he missed with a cold provided the biggest indication of Santners immense value to the side, when the bowlers were collared in game three and there was no one to apply the brakes. His economy rate speaks for itself and when it was turning in Wellington he was even more dangerous in tandem with Ish Sodhi. Potentially the player they could least afford to lose to injury/illness at the World Cup.
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It didnt quite work in beige for Kyle Jamieson in a tough T20 series against Australia.
KYLE JAMIESON
15 overs, 1 wicket at 175, ER 11.66, BB 1-32
3 innings, 41 runs at 20.5, SR 152, HS 30
Rating: 3
A return to earth with a thud for Jamieson whose fairytale start to test cricket continued into a multi-million dollar IPL deal. Has all the attributes for an effective T20 bowler and has done it at domestic level, but struggled to hit the right lengths and show enough variation as Finch dispatched him coldly in Wellington. Dropped for game five, and with Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne returning to the mix faces some tough competition later in the year as heads to Bangalore to hone his craft.
TIM SOUTHEE
19 overs, 6 wickets at 27.33, ER 8.63, BB 2-10
Rating: 7
Bowled better than his figures suggested, and just centimetres away from trapping Finch first ball in game three and continuing his run drought. Questions over Southees effectiveness at T20 level have eased, especially when its swinging and him and Trent Boult get to work as they did in Christchurch.
New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi was named player of the T20 series after snaring 13 wickets.
ISH SODHI
19 overs, 13 wickets at 12.07, ER 8.26, BB 4-28
Rating: 9
Consistency was Sodhis work-on and he delivered with a wicket-fest across the five games, earning the man of the series gong in the process. The short side boundaries and Australias switch hitting made it tougher in Wellington but he adjusted his line, varied his flight and was helped by some super catching. Set to have a big impact on the World Cup with Santner, as they did in 2016.
TRENT BOULT
19 overs, 7 wickets at 20.57, ER 7.57, BB 2-22
Rating: 8
An IPL champion with Mumbai Indians last year and off to defend that title, after a superb series for his country. Remains one of the best new ball bowlers in world cricket, did some damage early and showed his versatility in latter spells to finish the series strongly in the capital.
Not used:
Hamish Bennett: Deserved at least one chance but the Wellington pitch played against him. Will get his opportunities against Bangladesh and remains a solid bet for larger T20 squads the rest of this year.