Two Test matches between South Africa and New Zealand are scheduled, with the first Test starting on Sunday, February 4.
The Proteas’ inability to field their strongest players due to their involvement in the current SA20 has been a major topic of discussion surrounding the next two-match Test series between South Africa and New Zealand.
A rather inexperienced team from South Africa has been selected for the New Zealand tour. The captain is 27-year-old Neil Brand, who has not yet played for a team in an international cricket match. Not only will the two sides be competing for valuable World Test Championship (WTC) points, but also for the coveted Tangiwai Shield.
The Tangiwai Shield will be contested for every Test series between South Africa and New Zealand, beginning with the next two-match series that kicks off on Sunday, February 4, at Mount Maunganui. The award honors the tragic occurrence of 1953, when the nation’s greatest rail disaster claimed the lives of 151 passengers on the train traveling from Wellington to Auckland on Christmas Eve. Among them was Nerissa Love, the fiancé of Kiwi pacer Bob Blair.
The accident happened on December 24, the same day that South Africa and New Zealand played their second Test match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Blair was included in the New Zealand playing eleven for the match. Despite only giving up 259 runs, New Zealand took eight South African wickets on the first day of play. The Blackcaps learned of the tragic tragedy as they awoke on Boxing Day, having spent Christmas at their team hotel.
Blair remained at the hotel, lamenting the passing of his cherished fiancée. Later on, it was declared that he had pulled out of the game, and half-mast flags were flown at the stadium. But when the hosts lost their ninth wicket for 154 in their opening innings, Blair strolled out to the middle, leaving the Ellis Park crowd and players dumbfounded. The native of Petone put up a 33-run partnership with Bert Sutcliffe to enable New Zealand reach 187 and cut the deficit. Fans still honor Blair and his comrades for their unwavering attitude and their valiant performance that has endured the test of time.
One of the saddest, most touching, and most heartbreaking stories conceivable is the background to this Test match. It’s also a heartwarming tale of extraordinary bravery, tenacity, and empathy for the South African squad and the general public. “I’m thrilled to see this significant period of cricket history appropriately recognised and acknowledged,” ESPNcricinfo cited NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink as saying.
It’s critical that teams from now and tomorrow understand their history: CEO of CSA
The Shield was carved by David Ngawati (Ngati Hine) from puriri, a native timber of New Zealand. It has an inlaid mere made of pounamu, a kind of stone that can be found in the Tangiwai district of the country’s North Island.
In addition, the announcement from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that the shield would be blessed and given to the Tauranga teams on Friday, February 2. Furthermore, before to the first season. The CEO of Cricket South Africa believed that the shield will serve as a constant reminder to both sides of their heritage, which they should always value.
“On behalf of CSA, I extend my warmest regards to both teams competing for the inaugural trophy as well as to everyone who was impacted by this tragedy. With best wishes to the teams, CSA Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki stated, “It’s important that the teams of today and tomorrow know where they came from, and I’m sure the Tangiwai Shield will do much to assist with that.”
