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Cricket fans call for change over 'joke' detail in Australia's Test triumph over NZ

Australia retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy after just one game - and fans aren't happy.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

Angry cricket fans are once again crying foul after coming to the realisation that Australia's Test series against New Zealand is only two matches. Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon were the stars for Australia as they won the first Test in Wellington by 172 runs on Sunday.

With the series only comprising of two Tests, it means Australia have already retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy after only one game - because they were the holders. It also means Australia will hold onto it for another three years, with the next Tests against the Black Caps not coming until the summer of 2026/27.

Nathan Lyon and teammates celebrate after Australia's win over New Zealand in the first cricket Test.
Nathan Lyon took 10 wickets as Australia won the first cricket Test against New Zealand to retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy. Image: Getty

The Black Caps haven't held the Trans-Tasman trophy since 1994 and have only beaten Australia once in Test matches during that period - at Bellerive Oval in Hobart in 2011. The Kiwis will be intent on snapping their tortured run when the second Test begins in Christchurch on Friday, but a drawn series would undoubtedly infuriate fans.

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With T20 cricket becoming more and more of a priority to administrators, two-Test series are now commonplace in such a packed international calendar. Outside of series involving Australia, England and India playing each other, you rarely see a Test series that comprises more than two Tests.

The situation sparked uproar in January when the West Indies shocked Australia at the Gabba to win their first Test on Aussie soil since 1997. But because it was only a two-Test series and Australia had won the first match, the Aussies were the ones celebrating with the trophy after the Windies' win.

Cricket fans furious over length of Australia-New Zealand series

And the situation has been thrust back into the spotlight this week, with many crying foul that Australia and New Zealand aren't playing more than two Tests. The tour marks the first time Australia have played Test matches in New Zealand in a whopping eight years, but fans have been short-changed by the length of the series.

One fan wrote on social media: "Said it once, and I'll say it again. How on earth is this a two-Test series? Absolute joke!" Another commented: "Stop the two test series. The game and the fans deserve three at least."

Australian players, pictured here celebrating after their win over New Zealand in Wellington.
Australian players celebrate after their win over New Zealand in Wellington.

A third highlighted the fact that the prestigious Chappell-Hadlee trophy is now decided by T20 games (which Australia won 3-0). They wrote: "Particularly when there's a test series right after it (which, incidentally, should be three tests not a meaningless two)."

The fact the series is a match-up between the No.1 (New Zealand) and No.3 (Australia) teams in the World Test Championship is also a sore point considering the two-match farce. The Kiwis were the top-ranked team heading into the series, but have slipped to second behind India after their loss in Wellington.

Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon the heroes for Australia

Green was named player of the match after his unbeaten 174 in the first innings, which vindicated the call to move him to No.4 in the Aussie order. Lyon then did the damage with the ball, taking 6-65 in the second innings to secure his fourth 10-wicket haul in a Test match.

The veteran Aussie bowler became the first player in men's Tests to take a five-wicket haul and 10-wicket match while also top-scoring for his team in an innings with the bat. Lyon's knock of 41 was Australia's best as they were bowled out for 164 in the second dig.

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