Australia v New Zealand - Series Summary

Australia's 3-0 victory would suggest a comfortable series for the home side, but if truth be told it was not until halfway through the second Test that they affirmed their superiority over the New Zealanders. The tourists could, and perhaps should, have won the first Test in Brisbane, but stirring individual heroics from Miller, McCabe and Thomson turned the tide Australia's way, and Thomson again delivered in Hobart, backing up Border's stoic hundred with a ferocious second innings demolition of the Kiwis.

All this time, Don Bradman looked a troubled figure, scratching desperately for runs at what was just about the lowest point in his ATG career, but it is always darkest before the dawn, and the series will always be remembered for his astonishing 383 in the final Test at the WACA, a sublime innings played under the greatest personal pressure. Keith Miller was eventually named as Australia's man of the series, but Bradman's emergence from the doldrums may well prove to be the most significant individual performance in the series for Australia.

New Zealand's tour started with great hope, coming off a drawn series with Pakistan as it did, and at the halfway point in the first Test it looked as though the Blackcaps were on the verge of a significant breakthrough. However, just has been the case so often in the past, New Zealand were unable to force home their advantage, and by the end of the final Test they looked a spent force. Jack Cowie's development with the ball was a big plus, but Richard Hadlee was unable to find the form he showed in the Pakistan series, and with Stephen Boock failing to take even one wicket New Zealand's attack proved somewhat one-dimensional. The real failing was with the bat though, with Glen Turner recording the team's solitary century as only three of the top six could average over 30. With John Reid struggling to justify a place in the team his role as captain must now be in doubt, and once again New Zealand are left to look at the future with very uncertain eyes.

Australia Batting
DG Bradman 419 runs @ 104.75, KR Miller 268 @ 89.33, AR Border 288 @ 72.00, IA Healy 144 @ 72.00, SJ McCabe 152 @ 50.67

Australia Bowling
JR Thomson 15 wkts @ 14.13, AK Davidson 17 @ 15.35, KR Miller 10 @ 21.30, DK Lillee 5 @ 46.20

New Zealand Batting
GM Turner 271 runs @ 45.17, MD Crowe 218 @ 36.33, MP Donnelly 201 @ 33.50, RJ Hadlee 144 @ 28.80, JR Reid 170 @ 28.33

New Zealand Bowling
J Cowie 15 wkts @ 25.47, BR Taylor 8 @ 39.38, RJ Hadlee 8 @ 54.75

AUSTRALIA WON THE SERIES 3-0


Players of the Series: KR Miller & J Cowie