Notwithstanding the countries' geographical proximity (nor that the
latter had been playing Test matches since as early as 1929-30),
Australia and New Zealand did not meet in a Test for the first time
until March 1946. Sadly, though, the opening battle in what would
ultimately develop into an absorbing rivalry was not one that
illustrated the finest qualities of Test cricket. For far from the first
or last time in its history, Wellington's Basin Reserve was deluged by
rain in the lead-up to the match, the pitch became an almost impossible
one upon which to build a long innings, and the quality of the play
suffered accordingly.
Scarcely had an enthusiastic crowd had time to observe the novel sight
of a contest being staged between the Trans-Tasman neighbours before the
Australians seized upon local captain Walter Hadlee's ill-advised
decision to bat first. Almost immediately did the tourists set about
establishing command. Indomitable leg spinner Bill O'Reilly (5/14) and
paceman Ernie Toshack (4/12) joined to skittle the locals for a paltry
42. Whilst rival captain Bill Brown compiled a stoic 67 and Sid Barnes
accumulated 54, the Australians did not fare all that much better in the
course of their reply. Against some remorseless pace bowling from Jack
Cowie (6/40), they surrendered seven wickets for eighty-one runs before
finally declaring at 8/199. For as demanding as the Australian batsmen
had found the conditions, though, their lead of 157 runs was more than
satisfactory in the circumstances. This was a reality ruthlessly exposed
by the visitors' attack in the New Zealand second innings; O'Reilly
(3/19) again leading the way as the home team plunged to a final total
of 54 and defeat by an innings and 103 runs.
As an inaugural contest between the two neighbours, it did not have much
to recommend it in any sense other than that it paved the way for an
improvement (albeit a most gradual one) in the previously icy relations
between the two countries' cricketing administrations. In fact, it might
even be said that it was the legendary O'Reilly's decision to retire
from Tests (after twenty-seven distinguished appearances) at the end of
the match that provided it with its most significant legacy in the short
term.
