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The History of Australia-New Zealand Testsby John Polack
1945-46Notwithstanding the countries' geographical proximity (nor that the latter had been playing Test matches since as early as 1929-30), Australia and New Zealand did not meet in a Test for the first time until March 1946. Sadly, though, the opening battle in what would ultimately develop into an absorbing rivalry was not one that illustrated the finest qualities of Test cricket. For far from the first or last time in its history, Wellington's Basin Reserve was deluged by rain in the lead-up to the match, the pitch became an almost impossible one upon which to build a long innings, and the quality of the play suffered accordingly. Scarcely had an enthusiastic crowd had time to observe the novel sight of a contest being staged between the Trans-Tasman neighbours before the Australians seized upon local captain Walter Hadlee's ill-advised decision to bat first. Almost immediately did the tourists set about establishing command. Indomitable leg spinner Bill O'Reilly (5/14) and paceman Ernie Toshack (4/12) joined to skittle the locals for a paltry 42. Whilst rival captain Bill Brown compiled a stoic 67 and Sid Barnes accumulated 54, the Australians did not fare all that much better in the course of their reply. Against some remorseless pace bowling from Jack Cowie (6/40), they surrendered seven wickets for eighty-one runs before finally declaring at 8/199. For as demanding as the Australian batsmen had found the conditions, though, their lead of 157 runs was more than satisfactory in the circumstances. This was a reality ruthlessly exposed by the visitors' attack in the New Zealand second innings; O'Reilly (3/19) again leading the way as the home team plunged to a final total of 54 and defeat by an innings and 103 runs. As an inaugural contest between the two neighbours, it did not have much to recommend it in any sense other than that it paved the way for an improvement (albeit a most gradual one) in the previously icy relations between the two countries' cricketing administrations. In fact, it might even be said that it was the legendary O'Reilly's decision to retire from Tests (after twenty-seven distinguished appearances) at the end of the match that provided it with its most significant legacy in the short term. Captains: WA Hadlee (NZ) and WA Brown (Aus) Australia 1 New Zealand 0.
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