Remember how the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took the internet by surprise by releasing a video celebrating James Anderson's 600th Test wicket? Soon after the veteran speedster achieved the iconic feat against Pakistan, the ECB published a video on their social media platforms stitching brief notes of laurel to Jimmy from his teammates, former and present. The video culminated with the bowler's family—siblings, parents, wife and daughters joining his colleagues to share how proud they are.
The ECB's creative way of celebrating Anderson's landmark was celebrated by netizens for its emotional uniqueness. Now, the viral video has finally got a successor in the latest post of New Zealand Cricket aka Black Caps. The 1:38-minute video they shared while announcing their squad for the ODI World Cup is as heartwarming as they come.
A regular infographic had already done the job. But that didn't stop the cricket body from getting innovative. It asked the wives and children of each player to introduce their man before the camera. Flanked by their toddlers, and sometimes pets, the life partners of the 15 Kiwis travelling to India appeared before the camera.
"161, my daddy Kane Williamson," the skipper's eldest girl Maggie repeated after her mother Sarah Raheem as she stood behind with her baby brother in her arms at the start of the video.
Williamson's teammate and left-arm seamer Trent Boult's name was announced next by his three little boys next. "Dada," his youngest said mumbled donning the team colours. The wives of Mark Chapman and Devon Conway were then followed by Lockie Ferguson's fiance and Matt Henry's wife and baby girl.
Star all-rounder Jimmy Neesham's name was announced by his grandmother. “ODI Black Caps number 177 is my grandson James Neesham," she said.
