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Home / Sport / Cricket / Black Caps

Cricket: The most one-sided NZ v Australia test matches

By Niall Anderson
NZ Herald·
10 Nov, 2015 01:45 AM4 mins to read

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Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath celebrate after their century stand against New Zealand. Photo / Getty

Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath celebrate after their century stand against New Zealand. Photo / Getty

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The Black Caps' 208 run loss to Australia in the first test was a hard result for New Zealand cricket fans to watch.

A flat wicket combined with missing spearhead Tim Southee saw a lifeless New Zealand bowling attack get pummelled, and while the Kiwi batsmen fared better, it wasn't enough to stop a hefty defeat.

However, there were positives for the Black Caps to take away from the display, something which couldn't be said for some of the biggest test thrashings which have taken place in this cricketing rivalry.

Here are five of the most one-sided test matches between the two countries.

1. 1993, Hobart: Australia win by an innings and 222 runs

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The biggest trouncing in the trans-tasman test history, Australia made 544-6 in their first innings on the back of centuries from Michael Slater, David Boon and Mark Waugh, feasting against a New Zealand pace attack which included Murphy Su'a and Richard de Groen.

In response, the visitors were routed for 161 in both innings, being destroyed by the spin duo of Tim May and Shane Warne. Warne took nine wickets for the match and May a career-best seven as Ken Rutherford was the only player to pass 50.

Somehow, Danny Morrison was allowed to bat at nine. He made a pair.

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2. 1974, Auckland: Australia win by 297 runs

After putting in a strong effort to begin the three-test series starting in December 1973, New Zealand fell apart in the third and final test at Eden Park.

Things started promisingly when devastating bowling from Richard Collinge (5-82) and Bevan Congdon (4-46) dismissed Australia for 221 in their first innings (saved by Doug Walters' unbeaten 104).

However, things went pearshaped after that, with New Zealand being rolled for 112 in just 30 overs as only Glenn Turner (41) passed 13. Australia then made a thumping 346 in their next turn at bat (Ian Redpath carrying his bat with 159).

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Turner put in another valiant effort making 72 and putting on 107 for the first wicket with John Parker. However, once that stand was broken, only Ken Wadsworth passed six as they went from 107-0 to 158 all out.

3. 1986, Brisbane: New Zealand win by an innings and 41 runs

The famous Gabba test. Let Andrew Alderson's fantastic oral history of that famous test tell you the story of how that one played out.

4. 2004, Brisbane: Australia win by an innings and 156 runs

When you look at the end result, it's surprising that this test actually started reasonably well for New Zealand.

Jacob Oram's 126 not out led the Black Caps to 353 in their first innings, and when Australia were 128-4 in response, the stage looked set for a thrilling test.

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That was until Michael Clarke (141) and Adam Gilchrist (126) put on 216 - a stand which paled in comparison to the all-time annoying last wicket stand, where Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath added 114 - McGrath making a career-best 61.

Mark Richardson drops Glenn McGrath. Photo / Getty
Mark Richardson drops Glenn McGrath. Photo / Getty

That partnership clearly demoralised the visitors, who were then absolutely routed for 76 in their second turn at bat. Only Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle could make double digits, and what was quite an impressive test outfit were well and truly thrashed.

5. 1990, Wellington: New Zealand win by 9 wickets

Ending on a positive note - 1990 stands as one of the more underrated New Zealand cricketing triumphs.

A brilliant first-innings bowling display at the Basin Reserve had Australia dismissed within 45 overs - all out for 110 as Richard Hadlee claimed a five wicket bag.

New Zealand lasted far longer at the wicket (121 overs), but were obscenely slow in what must be one of the most boring test innings in NZ cricket history, making 202. The dullness was led by opening pair Trevor Franklin (28 from 113) and John Wright (36 from 149), as well as nightwatchman Martin Snedden (23 from 122). Peter Taylor and Carl Rackemann bowled 36 maidens between them.

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Boring it may have been, but effective it was definitely - with the 92 run lead helpful as Australia looked to have gained back the ascendancy at 261-6.

That was until John Bracewell bowled one of the spells of his career, taking four consecutive wickets to wrap up the tail and finish with 6-85, making sure Australia were all out for 269.

The target of 178 would have been scary to some onlookers, but John Wright blasted New Zealand home in no time, with his unbeaten 117 giving the Kiwis a triumph by nine wickets and take out the one-off test.

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