New Zealand got it just Wright

Richard Hadlee (left) and John Bracewell celebrate with a drink in the Wankhede Stadium dressing room after New Zealand’s victory over India in the second Test on November 29, 1988. Pic/Getty Images

Of the two Test matches New Zealand have won on Indian soil since they first set foot on these shores in 1955, the last one came in 1988 - at Wankhede Stadium - the venue of tomorrow's second and final Test.

Indeed, 33 years is a long time since the John Wright-led Kiwis beat Dilip Vengsarkar's India by 136 runs on the morning of November 29, 1988. To illustrate how long: Current captain Virat Kohli was just 24 days old in the world that day. His opposite number Kane Williamson was not even born and Sachin Tendulkar had yet to play first-class cricket.

New Zealand's 1988 Test victory came after a loss in the opening Test at Bangalore, where 12 from the 15-man squad (according to Sportsworld magazine) suffered from a mystery virus at some stage of the match. Captain-turned-commentator Jeremy Coney and television journalist Ken Nicholson came on as substitute fielders. Those 12 included Richard Hadlee, whose 374th wicket made him the highest wicker-taker in Test cricket at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where New Zealand lost by 172 runs.

After going past England legend Ian Botham's tally of 373, Hadlee starred in the next Test at Mumbai with 10 wickets and he ensured the effort was not in vain. But I dare say the bigger star turned out to be off-spinner John Bracewell, a former gravedigger, whose eight wickets in the match included a decisive second innings spell of 6-51, which helped bowl out India for 145. Bracewell's innings of 52 and 32 were worth their weight in gold in a match where only two other New Zealand batsmen had 50-plus scores. Praise apportioned for his 76-run ninth wicket stand with Danny Morrison was thoroughly deserving as the visitors reached 234 in their first innings. Had it not been for their alliance, New Zealand wouldn't have got too many from 158-8.

Wright revealed in his autobiography that somebody asked Morrison what Bracewell and he were discussing when they were slugging it out against the likes of Narendra Hirwani and Arshad Ayub on a turning pitch. The answer was whether to have lamb or goat curry for dinner.

India's response couldn't go beyond 234, built on Krishnamachari Srikkanth's 94. Vengsarkar, playing in his 100th Test, progressed to 25 and his third-wicket stand with Srikkanth reached 100 when he tried to clear the midwicket fielder off Bracewell. The captain was caught by Tony Blain and Vengsarkar was not coy to tell reporters that he played a "rubbish shot."

Andrew Jones top-scored for New Zealand in the second innings with 78, with wicketkeeper Ian Smith smashing 54 off 96 balls. Day Four saw India being set a target of 282. They ended that Sunday with 137 for 7 with Bracewell sending back Sidhu (14), Vengsarkar (0), Mohammed Azharuddin (21) and the aggressive Kapil Dev (36 off 37 balls) while Hadlee accounted for openers Srikkanth (0) and Arun Lal (47) as well as Ravi Shastri (6). A rest day followed and only the fear of rain could dampen Wright's excitement. Tuesday was nice and sunny and India could add only eight to their overnight score to give New Zealand their first Test win in India after Nagpur in 1969. It was all over in 20 minutes! Kiran More told me yesterday that he could never forget how well Bracewell bowled in that Test and the bounce he extracted. "The ball that got me out brushed my thigh pad [before hitting the stumps]," he said.

Wright, who called it the greatest game he figured in, wrote: "A lot of guys had contributed: Danny [Morrison] took part in that vital stand and bowled well, loosening up Kapil with the short stuff on the fourth afternoon; Jones, [Mark] Greatbatch and [Ian] Smith had batted well; there'd been some great catches and help off the field from Sneds [Martin Snedden] and Evan Gray. Then there was Paddles [Hadlee's nickname] with his 10 wickets. But in the end it was Bracewell's match. If the side had been picked purely on performance on tour, Gray would've played ahead of him but we knew what Braces could do."

When his side was in adversity (110-5) on Day One despite winning the toss, Wright revealed to me a conversation he had with team coach Bob Cunis: "He said, ‘How do you fancy Christmas in Rarotonga [tropical island]?' I said, ‘What the hell are you talking about?' and he said, ‘Well, if we lose this one you and I won't be going back to New Zealand for Christmas.' Thankfully, we did eventually win that Test. It was a tremendous game of cricket from both sides and I will never forget how sporting and generous the India players were after our victory. My good mate Kiran More said, ‘Well played today, lads' as three to four of us Kiwis went up our hotel lift. It was a great series, played in a great spirit and Wankhede has been my favourite venue ever since." Wright got down to writing his autobiography and he titled it Christmas in Rarotonga.

mid-day's group sports editor Clayton Murzello is a purist with an open stance. He tweets @ClaytonMurzello

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