Photographic Memory

Another wet day at Headingley

John Wright on New Zealand's first Test win in England

09-Sep-2008


John Wright: This was only the start. The celebrations kept getting better - the occasion demanded it. We had beaten England in New Zealand, but this was the first time we had beaten them on their home turf. It was doubly special for players such as Richard Hadlee and myself, who had been part of the squad that had beaten England in New Zealand in 1978. We had gone to England later that year carrying the hopes and wishes of so many of our fans, but not managed to fulfill them. So there was this special feeling that came of having beaten the English - somewhat like how it is with India and Pakistan. One of the surprises was that we managed to win even though Hadlee, our proven match-winner, didn't take a single wicket. The happiness in the picture says it all. Photograph by Getty Images