No.1 world ranking at the moment, is a pretty special thing: NZ coach Gary Stead

Earlier this week, New Zealand completed a 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan. The result helped the Kiwis to climb up to the top spot in the ICC Test Team rankings.

New Zealand coach, Gary Stead expressed his joy of achieving this feat and also seemed honest about dropping spots once the Border-Gavaskar series concludes. 

“I think what has happened, that sort of No.1 world ranking at the moment, is a pretty special thing. There's a lot of people and a lot of, I guess, expertise. The guys yesterday paid tribute to those people who came before to get them to this stage,” Stead said.

Primary focus will always remain on "playing good consistent cricket"

“I'm very, very proud in the way they continue to look to get better and we won't always be No. 1 because rankings change, and when you start game rankings mean nothing, so it's still about playing good consistent cricket. That's the most encouraging and pleasing thing that we are managing to do that on a daily basis," he added.

New Zealand have been dominant at home, but the coach wants blackcaps to go down an extra mile and win Test matches overseas.

“It's the same [ranking] method they use for everyone. Every place you go, it's very hard to win away from home. That's something we've talked about as a team is ensuring that all Test wins are special but especially ones you win away from home. Yes, we weren't at our best last year versus Australia but I can remember a few other Test wins that we have done really well, in UAE and Sri Lanka, and they are just as special as the home ones as well," he stated.