New Zealand was already 3–0 down in the series going into the final test at Eden Park in Auckland against a strong West Indies team that included household names like Everton Weekes and Gary Sobers.
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first, compiling a modest 255 runs. A captain’s knock of 84 by John Reid was the mainstay of the innings. Cantabrian Tony MacGibbon and Central Districts’ Harry Cave then took four wickets each as the West Indies was dismissed for 145.
New Zealand declared its second innings closed at 157/9, wicketkeeper Sam Guillen top-scoring with 41. Guillen was a West Indian and had played test cricket for the Caribbean side in 1951–52.
The West Indies needed 268 for victory, but New Zealand was not to be denied. Another four-wicket haul by Cave saw the visitors skittled for just 77. After 22 losses and 22 draws in 26 years of test cricket, New Zealand had at last tasted victory at the top level of the sport.
Image: New Zealand's first test victory (see full image on Te Ara)
Read more on NZHistory
Why cricket? – New Zealand cricketNew Zealand cricket team taking the field in 1956 – New Zealand cricketJohn Reid1956 - key events – The 1950sEden Park - from swamp to sports ground – Regional rugby
External links
- NZ breaks test duck (NZ Cricket Museum)
- Test scoreboard (NZ Cricket)
- Harry Cave (DNZB)
- 'NZ Wins Last Test' (Trove)
How to cite this page
'NZ's first test cricket victory', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/new-zealand-cricket-team-achieves-its-first-ever-test-victory-defeating-the-west-indies, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 19-Feb-2016
