By Nick Bewley
It's the eve of the first Chappell-Hadlee Series in almost five years, matches which were once the jewel in the summer calendar of cricket. So what better way to get ready for tomorrow's opener at Eden Park than take a trip down memory lane at some stand out moments in these trans-Tasman clashes.
New Zealand win by four wickets - Melbourne, 5 December 2004
The first ever match with the trophy up for grabs, held at Docklands Stadium, now known as Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Adam Gilchrist is dishing out a batting lesson at one end, while Matthew Hayden is giving plenty of lip to the Black Caps bowlers. Hayden takes on the square boundary off the bowling of Jacob Oram, but isn't expecting a flying Mathew 'Skippy' Sinclair to pull off a screamer in the deep.
Australia win by two runs - Wellington, 7 December 2005
This is probably one the Black Caps want to forget, given the series was on the line for the first time at home. Coming off a 147-run spanking three days earlier, New Zealand were on track to chase down 323, quite a substantial effort at the time. Needing six off the final over, captain Daniel Vettori and future skipper Brendon McCullum were at the crease. Two run outs later and the Black Caps lose by two runs (skip to 14.07).
New Zealand win by two wickets - Christchurch, 10 December 2005
It's almost a case of déjà vu for the Black Caps who have Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori at the crease chasing 332 for victory. Needing 74 runs from the last seven overs, McCullum blasts a 25-ball half century while Vettori chimes in with 23 off 12 getting the Black Caps home with an over to spare. Here's Scott Styris making a crucial 100 in the middle overs of the innings.
New Zealand win by 10 wickets - Wellington, 16 February 2007
The trophy has been in Australia for over a year, and the holders are undermanned crossing the ditch with Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee nursing injuries. Smelling blood, Shane Bond took them to the cleaners, finishing with figures of 5 for 23 to help skittle Australia for 148. His effort includes arguably the best caught and bowled in recent memory to send Cameron White packing.
New Zealand win by one wicket - Hamilton, 20 February 2007
This whole series was awesome, and New Zealand were desperate to send the Aussies home with a 3-0 whitewash. It didn't look possible after Matthew Hayden hit a remarkable 181 not out to steer the visitors to 346/5 from their 50 overs. The Black Caps made a shaky start, and were 41/4 in the 10th over, before Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum put on a superb 165 runs for the sixth wicket. McMillan was dismissed for 117 but McCullum got the Black Caps home in the final over to send Seddon Park into a frenzy.
New Zealand win by two wickets - Perth, 1 February 2009
Australia are back defending the Chappell-Hadlee trophy after winning the return series 2-0 in 2007. This is the first time the trophy is on the line in a five-match series. New Zealand are chasing a meagre total of 182 at the WACA after Kyle Mills snared figures of 4 for 35. The Black Caps are on course at 106/4, when Neil Broom is judged bowled by Michael Clarke. But on further inspection it shows the bails were nudged off by the gloves of Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin. Fortunately for New Zealand, they got home by two wickets.
New Zealand win by two wickets - Napier, 3 March 2010
The Black Caps are chasing 276 to win the series opener in Napier when a fresh faced Mitchell Johnson steps up to bowl to established New Zealand batsman Scott Styris. Styris heaves a Johnson delivery over mid-wicket to the boundary and lets the fiery left-armer know how much he likes it which leads to a cracking confrontation at the end of the over where the pair literally meet eye to eye. New Zealand win by two wickets.
New Zealand win by one wicket - Auckland, 28 February 2015
The introduction of the Future Tours Programme comes the end of the annual Chappell-Hadlee Series. Australia are holders after defending it in pool play at the 2011 World Cup, and both sides decide to put it on the line at the 2015 tournament at Eden Park. The match lives up to its billing with the game set up for a pulsating finish. Australia need a wicket to win, New Zealand need six runs. Arise, Kane Williamson.
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