Mark Richardson: Be happy and salute fantastic start to summer

Hamish Rutherford. Photo / Getty Images

The rain made it frustrating but I hope people don't focus on that and instead realise that this was a test the Black Caps were going to win before the weather intervened.

All right, they wobbled in losing those four wickets and they may have taken a while to force their advantage home, considering the situation at the end of the first innings, but don't overlook the fact the Black Caps were going to win.

The opposition pulled their socks up during the game and it was still a good way for the Black Caps to kick off the home summer of cricket.

There is a heck of a lot to be pleased about from the first test. First, the openers in the first innings did a fine job. Hamish Rutherford and Peter Fulton built their partnership and Rutherford in particular gained some vital form.

A failure in this test could have sowed unwanted doubt which is the last thing this country needs as it searches for an effective and consistent opening partnership.

Then there were our batting stars. While I think it's fair to say this is not one of the all-time great West Indian bowling attacks and the University Oval pitch offered the bowlers very little assistance, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor did exactly what they should do when faced with such an opportunity ... they cashed in. This is an important mentality to have and the clinical way they went about their business was excellent. The bowling performance in the first innings was also excellent - but a lot would have been gained from the less potent second innings. The unit should be 'bowling fit' and, while they lacked a bit of penetration, they bowled well.

The most heartening thing was the overs that Ish Sodhi got under his belt. He could, and should, be a vital ingredient in the development of the bowling unit and to see him work though poor patches, recover, and dominate at other times, was great. I'm sure he gained some excellent development from his time toiling in the unresponsive conditions and bowling to a couple of outstanding players in Shiv Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo.

There will be plenty of naysayers who will focus on their expectation that this game should have been won by an innings and on the fourth day but don't forget this West Indies side is ranked higher than ours, had come off tough cricket against India and before that had been enjoying a good run of form.

Yep, I am happy enough - so long as our lads don't take a backwards step in Wellington.

That's the thing, isn't it? It's the fear that has been ingrained in we cricket fans by our team's gross inconsistency. It's the fear that, if we get our hopes up, we are headed for disappointment.