In a thrilling Test match that swung like a pendulum, New Zealand emerged victorious over Australia in a contest where spin played a decisive role. The match featured a captivating duel between bat and ball, highlighted by John Bracewell’s exceptional performance, which made him the first New Zealand spinner to claim ten wickets in a Test match. Australia, despite a strong first innings foundation, faltered under relentless pressure from the home side’s spinners, paving the way for a memorable Kiwi triumph.
Australia’s Strong
Start and Bracewell’s Game-Changing Spell
Allan Border elected to bat first despite a tinge of green
on the pitch. The decision seemed justified as New Zealand’s pace duo of
Richard Hadlee and Vaughan Robertson, making his Test debut, found little
movement early on. Boon was the only batter to fall to a rising delivery, but
Geoff Marsh and Wayne Phillips held firm, adding a record 168 runs for
Australia’s second wicket against New Zealand. Marsh’s century, composed with
calm authority in 258 minutes, put Australia in a commanding position at 227
for four by stumps on the first day.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically on the second
morning when John Bracewell’s masterful off-spin unraveled the Australian lower
order. With subtle flight and sharp turn, Bracewell decimated the batting
lineup, claiming six wickets as the visitors crumbled from a position of
strength. Australia’s last six wickets fell for just 36 runs, limiting their
total to 283. Bracewell’s spell not only turned the match on its head but also
set a record for a New Zealand spinner, with match figures of 10 for 106.
Matthews Strikes Back
But Coney Stands Tall
In response, Australian off-spinner Greg Matthews provided
an immediate reply, striking thrice before stumps on the second day to leave
New Zealand reeling at 75 for three. With the pitch offering increasing assistance
to spinners, the task for the Kiwi batters seemed daunting.
New Zealand struggled early on the third day, slipping to
107 for five before Jeremy Coney stepped up with a captain’s innings. Combining
resilience with calculated aggression, he built crucial partnerships—first with
Hadlee (63 runs) and then with Robertson—to steer New Zealand to 258, just 56
runs short of Australia’s total. Coney’s knock was one of his finest in Test
cricket, showcasing his ability to absorb pressure and keep his team in the
game.
Boon Carries His Bat
as Australia Collapse Again
Australia’s second innings began with early jitters,
finishing day three at 32 for two. The following day, David Boon anchored the
innings with unwavering determination, becoming only the tenth Australian to
carry his bat through a Test innings. However, apart from Boon, the rest of the
batting lineup crumbled under Bracewell’s relentless spin. The Australians
managed only 103 runs in their second innings, setting New Zealand a modest target
of 160 for victory.
Wright and Crowe Seal
New Zealand’s Victory
Although the target seemed attainable, Australia’s spin duo
of Matthews and Border posed a potential threat on the deteriorating wicket.
However, Matthews bowled too flat to extract the necessary turn, allowing John
Wright to play one of his finest Test innings. Rutherford fought valiantly, and
despite a contentious decision that saw him momentarily dismissed before being
reinstated by a chivalrous Border, New Zealand finished day four well-placed at
85 for one.
On the final day, Wright reached his second half-century of
the match, and Martin Crowe’s flurry of boundaries ensured a comfortable chase.
With a composed and confident approach, New Zealand sealed a famous victory,
underlining their growing prowess in Test cricket.
Conclusion
This match was a testament to the impact of quality spin bowling in Test cricket, with John Bracewell’s match-winning performance standing out as the defining factor. His ten-wicket haul not only changed the course of the game but also etched his name in the annals of New Zealand cricket history. For Australia, it was a game of lost opportunities, as a promising first-innings platform was squandered. In the end, New Zealand’s resilience, coupled with decisive contributions from Coney, Wright, and Crowe, secured a well-deserved and memorable victory.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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