In 1981, the Australian cricket team changed trans-Tasman relations forever with an iconic bit of bad sportsmanship.
A new survey conducted by Booking.com has indicated a possible reason why Trevor Chappell's decision to deliver an underarm ball to Brian McKechnie hurt Aotearoa as a nation so much.
The research found that more than half of Kiwi sports fans (53 percent) say they are likely to take unpaid leave from the office to watch a live Australia versus New Zealand match.
The findings get more interesting - and if you're a manager, perhaps now is a good time to look away.
Fifty-one percent of New Zealand sport fans surveyed say that they would cancel a pre-planned catch up with friends to watch a key rival match and 50 percent say that they would call in sick when their favourite team is playing.
Putting aside the infamous underarm bowl, an overwhelming majority (81 percent) of both Kiwi and Aussie sport fans surveyed agree that playing cricket is a quintessential part of their summer holiday experience.
The research also suggests the various womens and mens tournaments being held across Australia and New Zealand in 2022 could play a massive part in the travel industry's resurgence. Of those surveyed, 69 percent of New Zealanders and 62 percent of Australians say they would travel with their family to watch a cricket World Cup match.
The passion runs deep for our cricket loving nations with 60 percent of Kiwi and 59 percent of Aussie sport fans surveyed saying that they are the most passionate cricket fans in the world.
"Cricket has been enjoyed by generations of Kiwis, whether watching a match together or picking up a bat for a game in the backyard," Black Cap Ross Taylor said.
"Whether it's playing against your mates or family, or getting together to watch a game of cricket on TV or in person at a stadium, the friendly rivalry of the game is something I'm sure many Kiwis are looking forward to as we hopefully reunite with family and friends this summer."
Booking.com says its survey was independently conducted among a sample of 1631 sport fans and travellers from India, Australia and New Zealand.
