†AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND 1982-83

At Melbourne, January 22. New Zealand won by 58 runs, outplaying Australia for the second time in five days. After being put in by Hughes, on a hot and cloudless day, New Zealand, building on an opening partnership of 83 between Wright and Edgar, reached 246 for six. Australia, whose catching had been a feature of earlier matches, missed Turner when 18 and Wright when 59. When Australia batted they threatened their target only during a fourth-wicket partnership of 63 between Wessels and Chappell, ended when Chappell pulled Troup to deep square leg. Wessels, sixth out at 151, batted for 38 overs. The match was much affected by injuries. Lawson left the field with a groin strain after bowling his ten overs; Thomson, suffering from chest congestion, bowled in short spells; Howarth, with a pinched nerve in his back, had to leave the captaincy to Wright soon after New Zealand had taken the field; Hogg needed eleven stitches in his left ear after being hit by a rising ball from Hadlee, and, also in the field, Turner pulled a hamstring. Australia objected to Turner being allowed a substitute on the grounds that he had entered the match with the same injury. Only later, during an interval for drinks, when the New Zealand physiotherapist persuaded the umpires that this was not so, was he allowed a replacement.

Man of the Match: J. G. Wright. Attendance: 31,378.