By Shaun Summerfield
It wasn't even enough to claim the series, but that didn't matter, not in the mostly one-sided world of trans-Tasman test cricket.
“Any win over Australia is something to be proud of,” says BlackCaps captain Ross Taylor.
“But to win in their own backyard is something special, and something I will never forget.”
Not just a test win, but a stunning comeback. New Zealand were all out for 150 in the first innings, and Australia looked to have the match sewn up.
But former BlackCap batsman John Morrison says the side dug in and showed plenty of spirit.
“They didn’t throw in the towel, and the Aussies did in the end, and they folded. They couldn’t handle the pressure. It was great to see,” he says.
Not only was the win rare, but just the chance to play a test was something to be savoured, as former BlackCaps captain Martin Crowe remembers.
“For a long time Australia snubbed New Zealand and wouldn’t play us in test matches,” Crowe says.
“They played us in 1945 and wouldn’t play us again until 1973. It was a real kick in the teeth.”
John Morrison played in the ’73 series, where after two heavy losses, New Zealand broke through. Thanks largely to two Glenn Turner centuries they won their first test at Lancaster Park.
It took another decade to claim victory on Australian soil - Richard Hadlee at his stunning best with 9 wickets for 52.
While Marin Crowe outscored Australia's entire first innings on his own with a brilliant 188.
New Zealand went on to win the series and won again in Wellington in 1993, but that's it until Hobart's green top-ended the drought.
“So to all of a sudden have that respect back, that is the most important thing,” says Crowe.
“And New Zealand have now got that back.”
Although not much respect was being shown by Aussie captain Michael Clarke, who refused to acknowledge the BlackCaps efforts.
“I thought he came across like a spoilt brat,” says Morrison. “He needs a good spanking.”
“Michael Clarke has a lot of growing up to do,” says Crowe. “His nickname is ‘Pup’, and he still doesn’t seem to have lost that tag.”
Sore losers, but losers nonetheless, which is a fact not lost on Morrison.
“Oh, it’s great to shove it up the Aussies. Even at the end when they lost, they gave Warner Man of the Match. Another underarm job. I mean [it’s] pathetic, really.”
So it seems some things just can't be forgotten, but yesterdays win - that will be remembered and savoured.
“We’ve won two out of the last three games. Test cricket is not easy,” says Taylor.
“But we’re not far from where we want to be.”
But they are a long way from their next test, scheduled against Zimbabwe at the end of January.
3 News
source: newshub archive
