Wait for test too long: Smith

The Black Caps will end a 32-year wait when they return to Australia’s iconic Boxing Day test this week and former wicketkeeper Ian Smith has hit out at their lengthy absence.

Smith, who has become the voice of New Zealand cricket since moving into the commentary box, played in the last trans-Tasman Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1987, which ended in a thrilling draw.

He says the fact that the All Blacks have played more tests at the MCG than their cricket compatriots since then was beyond belief.

‘‘It’s wrong,’’ Smith told Fox Sports. ‘‘We’ve been a side worthy of playing Boxing Day tests during that period quite often. We’ve had some very good cricket teams that would have tested Australia and so I think it’s been quite odd.

‘‘We’ve toured here but we seem to play the curtain-raiser not the main event. I think the All Blacks have probably played at the MCG more often than the New Zealand cricket side in the last 30 years and I think they’re playing there next year.

‘‘That’s the irony of it, that the

‘‘The All Blacks have probably played at the MCG more often than the New Zealand cricket side in the last 30 years.’’ Ian Smith

rugby side have played here more than the cricket side.’’

Smith found an ally in former Australian bowler Mike Whitney, who slammed New Zealand’s long Boxing Day snub as a ‘‘disgrace’’. ‘‘They’re our brothers and sisters across the ditch and we haven’t played them in a Boxing Day test in 32 years,’’ Whitney said.

Kane Williamson’s side head into the clash down 1-0 in the three-test series after suffering a heavy defeat in Perth last week.

Smith says there is more than just the series on the line in Melbourne as they look to prove they belong on one of cricket’s biggest stages. ‘‘If we’re able to win this test match, I promise you it won’t be 32 years until the next one,’’ he said.