The Wairarapa influence had a strong bearing on the Black Caps' 34-run win over Zimbabwe in the one-off cricket test which produced an exciting finish in Bulwayo yesterday morning.
Two former members of the Wairarapa senior squad, Ross Taylor and Doug Bracewell, played a huge part in their team snatching victory after an upset looked on when Zimbabwe went tea on the final day with their second innings score at 265-3, needing just 101 runs from a minimum of 29 overs to get the win
Taylor, who did part of his secondary schooling at Wairarapa College before moving on to Palmerston North Boys High, was captaining the Black Caps for the first time in a five-day test and displayed outstanding leadership. He scored a pair of 76s with the bat and was widely applauded for his second innings declaration which left the hosts to score an achievable 366 from 114 overs on a wicket with few tricks in it.
Had he allowed the Black Caps to spend any longer at the crease the match would probably have ended in a drab draw but, as it transpired, it produced an enthralling contest and a positive result for Taylor and his team.
Seamer Bracewell,who played for the Rathkeale College first XI. was the hero for the Black Caps as they battled valiantly for the 10 Zimbabwe second innings wickets. He became only the seventh Kiwi to end up with a five-wicket bag on test debut, claiming three wickets in that vital final session to finish with 5-85. Spinner Daniel Vettori chimed in with 3-71.
