Today in History

1956 NZ's first test cricket victory

New Zealand was already 3–0 down 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, scoring 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 were 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 267 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.