New Zealand made their first ever appearance in test cricket in 1930, when they faced England. That started their journey in this beautiful game. Famously known as “Kiwis” and “Black Caps,” New Zealand became a top team with their all-round performance. They also won the first ever World Test Championship in 2021, beating India in the final.
New Zealand has always been a good bowling side across all three formats. But they also hold some unwanted records in this game, which they would like to forget. This article will feature some stats when New Zealand conceded some big partnerships for the first wicket in the test format.
Highest Opening Partnership in Test against New Zealand
| Pair | Runs | Team | Venue | Date |
| Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy | 413 | India | Chennai | 6 Jan 1956 |
| Adrian Griffith and Sherwin Campbell | 276 | West Indies | Hamilton | 16 Dec 1999 |
| Chris Gayle and Kieran Powell | 254 | West Indies | North Sound | 25 Jul 2012 |
| Joe Burns and David Warner | 237 | Australia | Brisbane | 5 Nov 2015 |
| Alastair Cook and Nick Compton | 231 | England | Dunedin | 6 Mar 2013 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes | 225 | West Indies | Christchurch | 22 Feb 1980 |
| Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden | 224 | Australia | Brisbane | 8 Nov 2001 |
3. Chris Gayle and Kieran Powell (254 runs) in 2012
The third highest partnership for the opening wicket against the Black Caps came in July 2012, when they toured the West Indies for two tests. It was the first test in North Sound, and New Zealand batted first and scored 351 runs in their first inning. In response, West Indies got off to a good start with both openers scoring centuries. They added 254 runs for the first wicket. Chris Gayle made 150 runs, and Kieran Powell scored 134 runs in that inning.
As a result, West Indies made 522 runs in 163.3 overs. They took a 171-run lead in the first inning. New Zealand batted again and managed 272 all out in 105.2 overs. They set a target of 102 runs for the West Indies, which they achieved easily. The Caribbean team made 102/1 in 19.3 overs to win by nine wickets.
2. Adrian Griffith and Sherwin Campbell (276 runs) in 1999
West Indies featured again on this list, and this time with the second-biggest opening stand against New Zealand in a test. It came in December 1999, in the first test of the West Indies’ tour of New Zealand in Hamilton. After winning the toss, West Indies decided to bat first. They started well with a 276-run opening partnership between Adrian Griffith and Sherwin Campbell. Both batters also scored centuries. Griffith scored 114 runs in his inning.
Campbell scored 170 runs. But apart from the openers, none of the other batters contributed much. Thus, the whole team got dismissed for just 365 runs. In reply, New Zealand made 393 runs in 130.2 overs and took a 28-run first inning lead. The second inning was even worse for West Indies, as they got all out for just 97 runs. Chasing 70 runs to win, the Black Caps made 70/1 in 15 overs and won by nine wickets.
1. Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy (413 runs) in 1956
The highest opening stand against New Zealand and the second highest overall opening partnership is registered by India. It was recorded in January 1956 in Chennai in the final game of the five-match series. India won the toss and chose to bat first. They got off to a dream start with both openers adding 413 runs for the first wicket, which is still India’s highest partnership for any wicket in test cricket. It was the pair of Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy.
Pankaj made 173 runs, including 12 boundaries, while Mankad scored his career best score of 231 runs. As a result, India reached 537/3 in 177 overs and declared their innings. But New Zealand’s reply was not that good. They got dismissed for 209 runs in their first inning. Thus, India enforced a follow-on. New Zealand made another 219 runs in their second inning and lost by an inning and 109 runs.