New Zealand v South Africa 1931-32

Played at WELLINGTON, March 4, 6, 7. South Africa won by eight wickets. Taylor, having decided to give up Test cricket, did not play but South Africa again won easily, the margin in their favour being eight wickets. Thanks mainly to a freely hit hundred by Vivian, New Zealand made good use of batting first. Dempster, Badcock and Cromb all scored readily and the dismissal of Mitchell and Cameron while South Africa's total reached 78, left the match even on the first evening. An admirable century by Balaskas, who batted in very attractive style, put South Africa in a strong position but three wickets fell cheaply and the score of 410 for nine when play ended was not increased next morning. Then Vivian and Roberts played so confidently together that at lunch time New Zealand led by 63 with three wickets down. As the match was limited to three days South Africa did not seem to have time to force a victory but, after the fourth wicket fell at 122, New Zealand obtained only 71 more runs. Vivian, hitting eight 4's, got his 73 in two hours. His aggregate of 173 runs made him the highest scorer on either side but Christy showed greater power in forcing the game and in company will Mitchell put on 104 in an hour. This brilliant cricket set South Africa well on the road to victory and the 44 runs then required came readily.