Cricket: 1949: Visit From NZ Trivia Quiz

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.

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.

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.

Answer: Compton

Sorry...another of those part-timers who sneaked in. In fact, the most used bowlers were Bailey and Hollies, and to a lesser extent Bedser, had had a fairly ordinary time aginst the tourists. Bailey took most wickets (16) at the fairly benign rate of 37.43.

Answer: 1889

A nice reminder for older folk is the fact that Goddard at 48 years old, and Sims at 44 took 286 wickets between them in 1949. And let's not forget Joe Hardstaff, who at 38 scored 2251 runs at an average of 72.61.

Answer: Royal family

The best that 'Wisden' could say about Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was that " he had been a lively player at prep school".

Answer: 3

The father of 5 cricketing sons, Walter saw two play in Tests...Dayle & Richard, while Barry played for NZ in the World Cup. I believe that Walter and Richard are also the only father and son cricketers to be knighted for their services to the game.

Answer: Bogo

Reid in '49 was already distinguishing himself as an all-rounder of note. Interstingly, he was described as being capable of delivering a ball as fast as anyone in English cricket at the time. Later he became arguably NZ's greatest player of all time, a sort of white Sobers! He was even a good wicket-keeper.He also led NZ to their first three victories in Tests.

Answer: Hutton

Despite a slow grind in the 90's, Hutton blossomed in making his second 'ton', scoring it in 85 minutes. Hutton, in his Benefit year, and despite 3 successive 'ducks', scored 3429 runs in first-class cricket in '49. What is even more remarkable is that he had parts of his leg transferred to his arm due to a war-time accident.

Answer: Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe was the most spectacular of all the NZ batsmen in '49. In the early part of the season he was let down by his hook to behind square-leg. Constant 'nets' facing bowling on leg stump, saw him develop his hook to wide of mid-on...and he never looked back, scoring 2627 runs on tour.