Hadlee, Edgar and Cairns take N.Z. to sensational win

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 52

Hadlee, Edgar and Cairns take N.Z. to sensational win

From

JOHN COFFEY,

, in Auckland

Australia was trapped between two irresistible forces and a nighimmovable object at Eden Park yesterday, as New Zealand surged to a truly sensational five-wicket triumph in the second cricket test.

A magnificent hour of pace bowling by Richard Hadlee in the morning wrecked the Australian second innings. In his first 33 deliveries Hadlee claimed four victims for just five runs, and Australia was staggering towards defeat. That inspired spell by Hadlee left New Zealand with a winning target of only 104. There were no worries about time or weather, but the pitch was wearing and the Australian off-spinner, Bruce Yardley, was an obvious threat. Memories of the bumbling batting effort which only just carried New Zealand through to victory against the West Indies at Carisbrook two summers ago were all too real when three wickets were lost before New Zealand was half-way to its goal. But this particular march to victory was not to be accompanied by any defensive dirge. Lance Cairns — whose bludgeoning batsmanship can be as potent as Hadlee's exploits with the ball — was promoted to No. 5 in the order.

the totals were tied was the only tragedy of an amazing day. Edgar joined with Cairns in a . partnership worth 53 runs in only 32 minutes as New Zealand careered towards its win, and he played some superb drives. Edgar was a thoroughly deserving winner of his second consecutive $lOOO “man of the match” award. He has now defied the Australian bowlers for almost 16 hours, and they can hardly be looking foward to resuming the duel at Lancaster Park later this week. The final act could hardly have been more appropriate. Hadlee gave close attention to the first delivery he faced from Yardley, and then lay back and walloped the next one over mid-wicket for six. It was 26 years and three days after New Zealand’s only previous triumph at Eden Park — its first test success, at the expense of the West Indians — and a little over eight years since Australia’s one other reverse against New Zealand, at Lancaster Park.

Seemingly unconcerned by the tension which had preceded his arrival, Cairns went about his task as if he was taking part in a picnic game in Te Puke. Australian brows had furrowed, though, as Cairns emerged from the players’ tunnel, and three men were sent to the leg-side boundaries, another to longoff. They might as well have ringed the bat. for all their worth, as Cairns hammered 14 runs from an over by Yardley, six of them cOming from a magnificent on-drive

which cleared the N 0.3 stand between the scoreboard and the clock. Yardley had been transformed from a tiger to a kitten. He was replaced by Terry Aiderman. but it mattered not. Cairns warmed up with eight runs from Aiderman’s first over, then stepped forward and hit sweetly for another six to long-on. And all the while Bruce Edgar, a fellow of indispensable concentration and skill, was seeing New Zealand to safety. His dismissal when