New Zealand go into their two-Test mini-series against a weakened Australia with history against them. It is now 19 years since they last recorded a win against their nearest rivals, eleven since they managed to avoid losing a series, and nearly seven since they drew a game, although in that March 2005 match in Wellington, they followed on and were saved from heavy defeat by rain!
Back in 1993, Martin Crowe's side had been trounced in Christchurch, then escaped with a weather-hit draw in Wellington. At least they were headed in the right direction by the time Auckland came along. Allan Border won the toss and chose to bat. The weather wasn't helpful to anyone apart from the home seamers. Danny Morrison (6-37) and Willie Watson (3-47) ripped through a formidable batting line-up including Border, Boon, Taylor, Langer, Martyn and Steve Waugh, bowling them out for a meagre 139. The Kiwis fared little better, struggling to 224. A young Shane Warne took 4-8 in 15 overs! In their second innings, the Aussies reached 285 thanks to 70s from Martyn and Border but it was hardly a foregone conclusion that NZ would reach their 201 target. Mark Greatbatch struck some trademark blows but wickets fell steadily. At 134-5, things looked a bit grim. However, Ken Rutherford and wicketkeeper Tony Blain held it together into the fifth day and squared the series. And that was the last time they beat Australia!
Back in the 1980s New Zealand were at their peak, probably better than at any time in their cricketing history. Crowe, Hadlee, Bracewell et al were at their best, while the Aussies were beginning to rebuild. In 1985, at what is now Fortress Brisbane, Jeremy Coney's side even beat Border's team by an innings! OK, so much of it was down to the great Richard Hadlee's 15 wickets for 123 and Martin Crowe's 188 but it was a rare moment of dreamlike superiority!
Fast forward to November 2001, the Gabba again, and Stephen Fleming's tourists came within ten runs of success. Langer, Hayden and Gilchrist had seemingly put the Test beyond NZ's reach with a first innings total of 486. Astle, Cairns and co narrowly avoided the follow-on but with the weather having washed out much of days 3 and 4, Steve Waugh generously declared on 84-2, leaving the opposition 57 overs to achieve 284. They had a good go at the target. Richardson and Fleming hit fifties, with Astle out one short. Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan each struck two sixes but when Brett Lee had Cairns caught for 43, the momentum was lost.
Hobart was a semi-washout but in Perth no fewer than four New Zealanders reached three figures in the first innings. Even Adam Parore, then at number nine, joined in the fun. The Aussies fell 183 runs adrift, Daniel Vettori claiming six wickets, including that of Shane Warne for 99, the nearest he got to a Test ton. Fleming then declared at 256-9, leaving his bowlers a bit more than a day to bowl Australia out. That was a bold move given that the likes of Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, both Waughs and Martyn were batting. Langer went for a duck but Bond, Vettori et al failed to take sufficient wickets and, despite a healthy run rate from the Aussies, the series ended with honours even.
Only Ponting, Vettori and veteran seamer Chris Martin remain from that game ten years ago. The latter two will hope to summon up the spirit of Hadlee, Crowe and co to repeat the successes of old. They possess some big-hitters in Taylor, Williamson and Ryder and he Aussies will be fielding some very inexperienced bowlers so it may not be impossible to gain that elusive victory.
