It was 23 years ago today...
Written by Jack Perkins.
For all the Kiwi supporters, another romantic memory from cricketmystery.com. I also remember this series for the trouble David Boon had. Hadlee was in such good form he almost ended Boony's great career before it really started.
It's fitting that John Bracewell should be taking the Black Caps to Brisbane for the 1st test, the last time he'll take the side to Australia before his tenure as coach runs out. He'll certainly have vivid and fond memories of another trip he made to the Gabba as a member of a side which was perhaps NZ's best ever. Certainly that team's achievements have never been equaled.
It's exactly 23 years since Jeremy Coney's side crossed the ditch to play a 1st test in Brisbane in November. I'll never forget Richard Hadlee's performance in that match, one of the most devastating displays of swing bowling ever. In the first innings he ripped through Alan Border's side, ending with an astonishing 9 for 52. And it wasn't a dicey pitch either: NZ ran up 553 for 7 declared, with Martin Crowe contributing 188.
Hadlee continued his onslaught in the second innings, finishing with a match total of 15 for 123. NZ won by an innings and 41 runs. We had our first test victory on Australian soil.
It looked like the fairy tale had ended when Australia triumphed in the Sydney test. But the final act was played out in Perth. Hadlee was again at his destructive best. With that infamous wind the Fremantle Doctor at his back and the help of a bouncy wicket, Hadlee again destroyed the Aussies, ably assisted by the nagging accuracy of Ewan Chatfield and the off-spin of John Bracewell.
New Zealand had its first series win in Australia.
The 2008 Black Caps are only a shadow of the 1985 side, so I'm not expecting miracles across the Tasman. But all our top quickies are in the squad, so the NZ selectors are obviously expecting an early season Gabba wicket to have pace and seam. And who knows, perhaps John Bracewell is hoping against hope for the recurrence of the magic of 23 years ago.
| Posted by Perky @ cricketmystery.com on Sun 16 Nov |  4 comments |
Posted by JC on 2008-11-17 09:48:09
Obviously that this was first test series on back of Mega IPL circus, obviously the comparisons are obvious. But I am sure if you take a look at crowd numbers attending test matched in subcontinet in early millenium was not really "great" in small centers.
I wouldn't rush to write the eulogy of Test Cricket this soon .
Posted by unsuidojo on 2008-11-18 10:00:19
Posted by Unsuidojo on 2008-11-18 10:01:38
No Indian likes to get ripped off, in fact we pride ourselves on that attitude - why would they pay for the 5 days when they can only go on weekends..?
BCCI needs to get that sorted out, I think they are intentionally doing it to drive people away from test cricket. Poor form I say...
Posted by moody89 on 2008-11-18 11:32:37
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