Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.

And there couldn't and won't be a clearer example of that truism than the extraordinary U-turn in the Black Caps' fortunes in South Africa.

Never mind the fact that all the intense criticism that our hapless outfit received after their atrocious two-test defeats by an innings each was deserved, this remarkable win in the limited-overs series will have blown away most of the storm clouds still circulating.

In brief, this victory is odds-on to achieve the following:

• The Ross Taylor saga will be put to bed. Any further analysis of NZ Cricket's mismanagement of the firing of our best batsman will fall on deaf ears.

• Captain Brendon McCullum, despite his blunders in the test series and despite his mediocre batting overall will have scrutiny on his leadership put on hold.

• Coach Michael Hesson will receive an immediate reprieve from any damning verdict coming his way if his team continued to perform as they did in the tests.

• Crowds will increase in size for the upcoming fixtures against England in the knowledge that fans aren't following such a hopeless cause that they expected.

• Confidence, the lifeblood of any happy team is certain to flow more freely amongst the Black Caps with the enhanced self-belief that this accomplishment will generate.

• This victory will also serve to consolidate the Black Caps' reputation that historically, they are more adept at and suited to the limited-overs versions of the game.

• I reckon that's not a bad thing given our reputation as a credible cricket-playing nation has recently come close to extinction. Sure, the truest test of the game is exactly that. Tests. But when one-dayers and T20's attract the biggest crowd and television-based revenues, at least this current Black Caps mob have redeemed their potential to pay their way in the short term at least.

• South African cricket will embark on just as torturous an examination from both themselves and their fans as the Black Caps and their supporters have been through. Especially given this is the first series loss to New Zealand in South Africa in any form of the game ever.

• Finally, McCullum and his team can now look forward to arriving at Auckland airport without having to sneak in at some early hour in the morning.

If you think this all seems too fanciful and exaggerated just because of a rare, one-off series win, then I think you're underestimating what such a victory can mean to a success-starved fan base.

Your thoughts please.