Cricket: Marshall and Marshall ease the double trouble

James (left) and Hamish Marshall split the takings from the State Shield final in 2003. Only mum can split their identities. Picture / Fotopress

After years of playing on their identical appearance, Hamish and James Marshall decided to let cricket watchers and even the Australian team off the hook.

For an hour the pair batted together on James' debut in the third test at Eden Park, giving spectators double vision and becoming the first identical twins to play a test match.

Without numbers and names on their traditional whites, and with identical Kookaburra gear, it had the makings of a naming nightmare.

Pretending to be other is part of the Marshall legend off the field, but Hamish offered to relent, despite the temptation to confuse the Australian bowlers' battle plans.

"We thought we'd do something, so I put on some wristbands to help out," said Hamish, who topscored with 76 in New Zealand's first innings of 292.

"We had to try and make it a little easier; we've got same grips, same gear. It's not like the one-dayers with J and H on the back of our shirts."

Having played three times together during the one-day series, it was a step up to be selected in the same test team.

"We've played a lot of cricket together. It started in the back yard and it's a dream for both of us, something pretty special," Hamish said.

"The family's here so it's nice to get out there and bat with him. I thought he handled it pretty well. He played well and I enjoyed it."

He referred to James as the "senior pro" of the partnership, being 15 minutes older, the captain of Northern Districts and with 12 more first-class matches to his name.

James, meanwhile, was kicking himself for getting out for 29, caught at gully off Glenn McGrath, to break the twins' partnership of 38 in 21 overs.

"I felt reasonably comfortable out there even though we were under pressure with some tight bowling. I felt as though I could hang in there so that added to the disappointment."

And was there any confusion among the opposition as to who was who? "I think they knew who I was. I was being let know that it was my first test."

- NZPA