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140 New Zealand Cricket Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about New Zealand Cricket? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to New Zealand Cricket (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 Who was New Zealand's first test captain in 1930?
Answer: Tom Lowry

Page was second, Hadlee third, and Sutcliffe fourth.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Test Cricket
2 Against which country did New Zealand first play a one day international in their beige coloured outfits?
Answer: Australia

New Zealand's first match in coloured clothing was the opening match of the 1980-81 World Series Cup against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on November 23, 1980.
    Your options: [ India ] [ Australia ] [ England ] [ West Indies ]
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket's "Beige Brigade"
3 1930s: Who was the first New Zealander to be dismissed in a cricket test while representing New Zealand?
Answer: Henry Foley

Henry Foley (born January 28, 1906, and died October 16, 1948), was out for two. He scored the same in the second innings. This proved to be the left handed opening batsmen's only official test match.
  From Quiz: NZ Test Cricket: 1930s-1970s
4 What is the name of the first-class cricket ground in Timaru?
Answer: Aorangi Oval

Aorangi Oval debuted as a first-class cricket ground from February 13th to 16th, 1998. Canterbury lost to Zimbabwe by an innings and 56 runs. Grass embankments surround the ground where the spectators sit. Anzac Square, Ashbury Park and West End Park are also located in Timaru.
  From Quiz: New Zealand Cricket Grounds
5 A lovely hot summer and 4 Tests against New Zealand. How many were drawn?
Answer: 4

The Tests were limited to 3 days, and with NZ determined not to lose...rather than to win...it all seemed a bit inevitable. It was decided after the series to extend Tests to 5 days in future. Hubert Preston, editor of 'Wisden' was not completely convinced that this was a good idea.
  From Quiz: Cricket: 1949: Visit From NZ
6 Which nation was the first to be beaten by New Zealand, in a test outside of New Zealand?
Answer: South Africa

This happened on 01/01/1962.
    Your options: [ England ] [ South Africa ] [ Australia ] [ Pakistan ]
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #4
7 When he finished his career this New Zealander averaged 65.73 in test cricket. Who is he?
Answer: S Dempster

Dempsters Average was 65.73 after 10 matches, 15 innings, 723 runs and a highest score of 136.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #3
8 Who was the first New Zealander to play 200 one-day internationals?
Answer: Chris Harris

Crowe fell 57 games short, and Parore 21 games short of 200. These figures hardly compare to the World statistics where, as of 2003, Wasim Akram has played 350 matches, and Harris 219 and only ranks 22nd.
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket 1991-92
9 What special feat did Dion Nash acheive against England at Lord's in 1994?
Answer: He was the first person to take 10 wickets and score a 50 in a test match at Lord's.

He scored 56 in NZ's first innings, took 6 for 76 in England's first innings and 5 for 93 in the second.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #2
10 Who was New Zealand's first Test captain?
Answer: Tom Lowry

Lowry captained against England in 1929-30.
  From Quiz: New Zealand Test Cricket
11 When Stephen Fleming became NZ's most successful test captain, which captain did he pass?
Answer: Geoff Howarth

It was 11 now it's 12 and climbing (hopefully).
    Your options: [ Martin Crowe ] [ Geoff Howarth ] [ John Wright ] [ Glen Turner ]
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #1
12 Who caught 7 catches in one innings against Sri Lanka at Hamilton in 1990/91?
Answer: Ian Smith

Smith also managed five catches at Auckland in the same series.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Test Cricket
13 Which New Zealander listed at number 11, was the only member of the playing XI not to bat in the infamous "Under Arm" match?
Answer: Martin Snedden

Chatfield, the regular number 11, was not selected for this match. As is well documented, Brian McKechnie came in at number 10, leaving Martin Snedden to watch the final ball from the balcony. Earlier in the match, Snedden had a potentially match-winning diving catch ruled out because the umpires claimed not to see the catch.
    Your options: [ Ewen Chatfield ] [ Martin Snedden ] [ John Bracewell ] [ Gary Troup ]
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket's "Beige Brigade"
14 1930s: What led to the cancellation of India's first tour of New Zealand, scheduled for 1936/37?
Answer: Widespread famine in India

The failure of the monsoon sparked widespread famine and later political unrest in India. This led to the tour's cancellation, and it was not until 1968 that India finally toured New Zealand.
  From Quiz: NZ Test Cricket: 1930s-1970s
15 Molyneux Park is located in what South Island town?
Answer: Alexandra

Molyneux Park hosted it's debut first-class match from January 7th to 9th. Otago, the home team, beat Central Districts by four wickets. No more than 85 overs were to be bowled in each innings. Ashburton and Gore have not hosted first-class matches while Oamaru's first-class ground is Centennial Park.
  From Quiz: New Zealand Cricket Grounds
16 The best performed NZ batsman was M. P. Donnelly, who scored 2287 runs on tour. What English side did he captain in 1947?
Answer: Oxford University

The only man to score a 1000 runs that season for Oxford, he captained the side with distinction. Considered the best left hander of his time he became legendary at The Parks. In that season he also scored a brilliant 162 not out for Gentlemen against Players in only 3 hours.
  From Quiz: Cricket: 1949: Visit From NZ
17 Who was the first New Zealander to score 5000 runs in ODI's?
Answer: Nathan Astle

He brought up his 5000th run in his 150th ODI. He scored 122 not out vs England at Carrisbrook 2001/02.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #4
18 When this New Zealander retired his test bowling average was an impressive 21.53. Who is he?
Answer: J Cowie

Cowie's bowling average was an impressive 21.53 after 9 matches and taking 45 wickets.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #3
19 Who was the bowler that dismissed Martin Crowe for 299?
Answer: Arjuna Ranatunga

After Aravinda hit a record double century in the same game for Sri Lanka, Crowe out-did his 267 by 32 runs.
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket 1991-92
20 Chris Cairns hit 9 sixes in a Test innings against Zimbabwe at Eden Park in 1996. What was his final score?
Answer: 120

At the time it was the third most sixes hit in a Test innings behind Wasim Akram (12) and Walter Hammond (10). Akram scored a double century and Hammond's was a triple.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #2
21 Martin Crowe was player of the competition at the 1992 World Cup. How many 100s did he score?
Answer: 1

100* against Australia in the first game.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #1
22 Who was the first New Zealander to take 100 test wickets?
Answer: Dick Motz

Motz ended up with exactly 100 while Hadlee got 431, Taylor 111 and Reid didn't make 100 but got close with 85. Motz took his 100th in 1969.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Test Cricket
23 Which New Zealander was stranded on 99 not out in New Zealand's first match in beige on home soil?
Answer: Bruce Edgar

Bruce Edgar batted through the 45-over innings against India at Eden Park in Auckland on February 14, 1981. New Zealand made 218/6 and in reply India was 140-9, giving New Zealand victory by 78 runs.
    Your options: [ Geoff Howarth ] [ Bruce Edgar ] [ John Wright ] [ John Parker ]
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket's "Beige Brigade"
24 1940s: Which country did New Zealand play in its first Test against after the WWII?
Answer: Australia

The match at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, which lasted just two days, (March 29-30, 1946) was not granted official Test status until 1948. Australia won by an innings and 103 runs after dismissing New Zealand for 42 and 54.
    Your options: [ England ] [ South Africa ] [ India ] [ Australia ]
  From Quiz: NZ Test Cricket: 1930s-1970s
25 The biggest controversy of the tour regarded the length of the Tests. After the second Test, what did MCC suggest?
Answer: That an extra day be added to the last two Tests

NZ was only willing to do this if their game following the 2nd Test be cancelled. As they were mainly one day a week cricketers, they were fairly overwhelmed by 4 months of almost continuous cricket on tour. Needless to say, the option was not taken up.
  From Quiz: Cricket: 1949: Visit From NZ
26 Who scored 267 not out against Sri Lanka, in a test at Carisbrook in 1994?
Answer: Bryan Young

The second highest score by a New Zealander in test cricket at the time.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #4
27 Who were the opposition when Ian Smith made a world record equalling 7 dismissals?
Answer: Sri Lanka

It was at WestPac Trust Park in Hamilton in 1990-91. All the Batsmen were caught.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #3
28 Who was the fielder that caught Crowe out for 299?
Answer: Hashan Tillekeratne

Crowe tried to dab the ball to 3rd man, unfortunately edging it to the wicket keeper.
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket 1991-92
29 Which player from Northern Districts was picked to tour South Africa in 2000-01, played a test, scored 40 not out and has never been picked since?
Answer: Hamish Marshall

His selection was actually a mistake. His twin brother James was supposed to be picked but the selectors got it wrong. James has never played for NZ.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #2
30 A great all-rounder of the 1950s and 1960s, and a top class batsman of the 1980s, share the same name. What is it?
Answer: John Reid

John R. Reid played 58 tests for NZ, John F. Reid played 19.
  From Quiz: New Zealand Test Cricket
31 Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones shared, at the time, a world record partnership for the 3rd wicket against Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve in 1990. How did the partnership end?
Answer: Jones was caught at point

A slashing square drive that picked out the man at point.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #1
32 Which New Zealand bowler took 45 wickets in 9 tests with an average of 21.53?
Answer: Jack Cowie

Cowie played for New Zealand in the 1940s, he also has the best strike rate of any New Zealand bowler.
    Your options: [ Gavin Larsen ] [ Dayle Hadlee ] [ Jack Cowie ] [ Shayne O'Connor ]
  From Quiz: Kiwi Test Cricket
33 What was the result of New Zealand's first official one day match in coloured clothing?
Answer: NZ won by 3 wickets

New Zealand got off to a winning start in their beige uniforms, beating Australia by three wickets in the opening match of the 1980-81 World Series Cup at the Adelaide Oval on November 23, 1980. John Wright top scored with 60 while Ewen Chatfield took five wickets.
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket's "Beige Brigade"
34 1940s: Which New Zealand batsman scored a double century against England in 1949?
Answer: Martin Donnelly

Martin Donnelly hit 206 not out against England in the first innings of the second Test against England at Lord's in June 1949. He averaged 77.0 in the four test series.
    Your options: [ Bert Sutcliffe ] [ Jack Cowie ] [ Walter Hadlee ] [ Martin Donnelly ]
  From Quiz: NZ Test Cricket: 1930s-1970s
35 Horton Park is located in which South Island town?
Answer: Blenheim

Horton Park, Blenheim, is part of the Central Districts area. Central Districts beat Northern Districts by eight wickets in Horton Park's debut first-class match from December 24th to 26th, 1972. Kaikoura, Picton and Westport have never hosted a first-class cricket match.
    Your options: [ Westport ] [ Picton ] [ Blenheim ] [ Kaikoura ]
  From Quiz: New Zealand Cricket Grounds
36 When Dion Nash filled in for injured test captain Stephen Fleming in 1999 he was NZ test captain number ______ ?
Answer: 25

Current captain Stephen Fleming has captained New Zealand the most times and has won the most tests as captain.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #3
37 Who was the non-striker at the time of Crowe was dismissed for 299?
Answer: Mark Greatbatch

Crowe needed to get his runs in this over, as it was the last over of the test match.
  From Quiz: NZ Cricket 1991-92
38 Which New Zealand captain took the field for England before ever playing for New Zealand?
Answer: Geoff Howarth

He was a subsitute fielder for England against Australia at The Oval in 1972. He debuted for NZ four years later.
    Your options: [ Glenn Turner ] [ Walter Hadlee ] [ John Reid ] [ Geoff Howarth ]
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #2
39 Danny Morrison took a hat-trick against India in a ODI at which ground?
Answer: Mclean Park, Napier

And they were all inswinging yorkers that took middle stump!
    Your options: [ Basin Reserve, Wellington ] [ Mclean Park, Napier ] [ Owen Delany Park, Taupo ] [ Eden Park, Auckland ]
  From Quiz: Kiwi Cricket #1
40 In the late 1990s, Stephen Fleming passed who as New Zealand's most capped test captain?
Answer: John R. Reid

Reid had 34 tests as captain, Howarth 30, Coney 15, and Crowe 6.
  From Quiz: Kiwi Test Cricket
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