Australia v New Zealand

The decisive end to the series was obtained in the final hour of the game after the fourth day had been abandoned through rain.

Australia used two pace bowlers new to Test cricket in G. Dymock and A.G. Hurst because of injuries to M.H.N. Walker and G.J. Gilmour, and a new opening batsman in A.J. Woodcock because of the unavailability of A.P. Sheahan to tour New Zealand. New Zealand chose the in-swing bowler B.L. Cairns for his first Test in preference to B. Andrews.

Australia won the toss and batted on a grassless wicket. After early difficulties against D.R. Hadlee and Cairns, Walters drove with power for 94 in two and a quarter hours, sharing a partnership of 100 with G.S. Chappell. Favoured by poor fielding and four dropped catches, Marsh gained his second Test century and O'Keeffe added to the New Zealanders' problems in the heat. Their lone spinner, O'Sullivan, took five for 148, flighting the ball cleverly, but he suffered for want of a slow bowling partner.

The New Zealand batsmen were in trouble immediately, losing their opener Parker without scoring to Dymock, and only the undaunted Wadsworth and Morrison offered substantial resistance.

New Zealand followed on 259 behind and Dymock, given the down-wind, caused them grave problems with his left arm deliveries. The Queenslander finished with five wickets for the innings and assured himself of a trip to New Zealand.

Congdon defied the Australian bowlers in making 71 not out on a rain-disrupted final day. In conditions which were anything but satisfactory for first-class cricket because of the damp nature of the wicket, Australia earned a tense victory.

O'Keeffe's growing stature as an all-rounder was well illustrated in this game for he batted splendidly, took three wickets in each innings and was outstanding in the gully.