KEY POINTS:
If an oval ball is in play, then Jade Stadium is usually a forbidding arena for visiting provincial or international teams.
Canterbury, the Crusaders or All Blacks are rarely bettered in Christchurch's sporting citadel, but when summer rolls around, successes have been few and far between at the scene of one of New Zealand cricket's glory days.
The events of February 3-5, 1984, may be fading from memory, but the humbling of England in the second of three tests by an innings and 32 runs remains one of New Zealand's most famous sporting victories.
After scoring 307 - thanks to Sir Richard Hadlee's tantalising 99 - New Zealand routed the English for 82 and 93 before a disbelieving public.
Hadlee, the only batsman to pass 50 in the match, ended up with eight scalps while Lance Cairns, Ewen Chatfield and Stephen Boock all snared three wickets.
Stephen Fleming, a former Cantabrian, was in short pants back then and the New Zealand captain was reminded of the Black Caps' lack of success since a five-wicket win over Pakistan in February 1994.
Fleming's international career was in its infancy at that point but he was not involved in a test where New Zealand conceded a first-innings deficit of 144 before chasing down 324 thanks to Bryan Young and Shane Thomson helping themselves to 120s.
And since that heady afternoon at the old Lancaster Park?
* The Black Caps draw with the West Indies in February 1995.
* Lose a one-off test to Pakistan by 161 runs 10 months later - after leading by 73 at the midway point.
* Michael Atherton's 188 anchors England's successful pursuit of 307 to win the third test in 1997.
* Herschelle Gibbs (211) and Jacques Kallis (148) ensure South Africa are in no danger of losing in March 1999. New Zealand are 127 for one in reply when bad weather intervenes.
* Another stalemate follows two seasons later when groundsman Chris Lewis pioneers a portable drop-in pitch. Mathew Sinclair thrives in the experimental conditions, crafting his second double ton (204) off Pakistan's ineffectual attack. Unfortunately, the Blacks Caps are just as benign with ball in hand.
* Lewis tinkers with the Waikari soil block with dramatic effect before England rock up 12 months later. In stark contrast to the previous test, a greenish tinge and overcast conditions translate to 23 wickets tumbling inside two days before the pitch reverts to type. Graham Thorpe thumps an unbeaten 200 before New Zealand are set a mammoth 550 to win. Remarkably, they threaten a boilover as Nathan Astle makes Thorpe's effort look positively pedestrian in setting a world record for the fastest double century (153 balls) and is last out for 222 as the Black Caps fall 98 runs short.
* New Zealand's last test in Christchurch is not as spine-tingling, though, with the Black Caps well in contention until Australian legspinner Shane Warne unleashes a spell similar to his Ashes heroics on Tuesday. Warne cuts a swathe through the New Zealand top order, grabbing five for 39 as the hosts collapse for 131. Australia knock off the 133 required for the loss of one wicket.
CURSE OF JADE
New Zealand's test record since defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the third test at Jade Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) in 1993-94.
1995-96 v West Indies draw
1995-96 v Pakistan lost by 161 runs
1996-97 v England lost by four wickets
1998-99 v South Africa draw
2000-01 v Pakistan draw
2001-02 v England lost by 98 runs
2004-05 v Australia lost by 9 wickets
Overall test record at Jade Stadium since the ground's maiden test was played against England in 1930
Played 39
Won 7
Lost 16
Drawn 16
- NZPA
