When rain stopped play, and a possible New Zealand win
Yesterday’s washout in Hamilton wasn’t the first time New Zealand have been denied the chance of a test cricket win by the weather.
So here’s a list that may not do much to lift the gloom:
1) v Australia, Sydney, January 1974
The biggest missed opportunity of them all. New Zealand looked poised to secure their first test win over our trans-tasman rivals. Batting first, NZ made 312 in their first innings, with John Parker scoring 108 as an opener.
Australia were dismissed for 162 in reply, as Richard Hadlee took 4-33 and bother Dayle nabbed 3-52.
John Morrison’s 117 as opener in the second dig got NZ to 305, putting Australia 455 behind with more than a day to play. Richard Hadlee struck twice early in Australia’s second innings to leave them 30-2 with one day remaining, but rain - which had already hindered play prior - prevented a ball from being bowled on the last day.
2) v England, Manchester, August 1999
England started the final day still 179 behind after making just 199 in their first innings, and NZ replied with 496 thanks chiefly to tons from Nathan Astle and Craig Mcmillan.
No play was possible on the last day til 2pm and England were 181-2 and not totally out of the woods when more rain came after only 24 overs.
That wasn’t enough to save England selectors Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting from getting the axe after the match.
3) v Pakistan, Napier, December 2009
The Black Caps were chasing 208 in their second innings on the final day at Mclean Park in a minimum of 43 overs. Openers, BJ Watling and Tim Mcintosh put on 90 in 19 overs before the rain came and play was abandoned and a chance to win the series 2-1 went missing. ‘‘We were lucky. Allah helped us because of rain,’’ said Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf.
4) v South Africa, Dunedin, March 2017
‘‘Delicately poised’’ is the phrase often used, when the first test of this series was called off at 1:40pm on the final day.
South Africa had made 308 batting first, Kane Williamson’s captain’s knock of 130 helped NZ grab a first innings lead of 33 and then the Proteas were 224-6 entering day five, when rain ensured no play was possible.
5) v South Africa, Hamilton, March 2017
A huge rearguard stand was expected on Wednesday at Seddon Park from Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis, wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock and the tail, with their side 95 behind NZ with only five second innings wicket remaining. Steady rain from midnight that hadn’t ceased by midday pointed toward a damp, unsatisfactory conclusion.