When did New Zealand last beat Australia at home in Tests? Detailed look at the rivalry

Rahul Iyer

When did New Zealand last beat Australia at home in Tests? Detailed look at the rivalry image

On Monday, the second Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch came to an exciting conclusion, as the hosts were looking to bounce back after losing the first match by 175 runs.

At the close of play yesterday, Australia were 77/4 in pursuit of 279, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh at the crease. Head departed early on, leaving the visitors at 80/5. Marsh and Alex Carey then put on 140 for the sixth wicket, before debutant Ben Sears took two wickets in two balls to bring New Zealand back into the contest.

Carey managed to take Australia home in the end, finishing on 98* in an unbroken stand of 61 runs with captain Pat Cummins. 

When did New Zealand last beat Australia at home in Tests?

The win took Australia to a series victory, marking a 15th consecutive unbeaten series against their Trans-Tasman neighbours (excluding one-off Tests). This is a period of unforeseen dominance for Australia over New Zealand, with the Kiwis' previous Test victory over them coming back in 2011 in Hobart.

In New Zealand, the rivalry is even more one-sided. Their last victory on home turf against Australia was in Auckland in 1993.

In that match, Danny Morrison's 6/37 and Dipak Patel's 5/93 in the first and second innings helped the hosts restrict Australia to 139 & 285. In a fourth-innings chase of 201, Ken Rutherford (53*) and Tony Blain (24*) put on 67 for the sixth wicket to take New Zealand over the line.

New Zealand: Test victories over Australia on home turf
Date Margin of Victory Player of the Match
8 March 1974 5 wickets -
12 March 1982 5 wickets Bruce Edgar
13 March 1986 8 wickets John Bracewell
15 March 1990 9 wickets John Wright
12 March 1993 5 wickets Ken Rutherford & Danny Morrison

What is Australia & New Zealand's head-to-head record in Tests?

For two countries in close proximity, Australia and New Zealand do not play each other very often, but there is no doubt that this match-up has been heavily tilted in Australia's favour. Since the first meeting between the sides in 1946, the Kiwis have won just eight times in 78 years, losing 36 matches.

Australia & New Zealand: Head-to-head in Test matches
Team Wins Draws Losses
Australia 36 18 8
New Zealand 8 18 36

 


Rahul Iyer

Rahul Iyer Photo

Rahul is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition.