12 December 2011 11:45
Kiwi pride got us home, says Taylor
The last time New Zealand defeated Australia in a cricket Test in 1993, current captain Ross Taylor had just turned nine.
AAP - NZ
IMAGE: The New Zealand team embrace Doug Bracewell after he bowled Australia's Mitchell Starc on day four of the second cricket test match in Hobart, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. (AAP Image/Dale Cumming)
The last time New Zealand defeated Australia in a cricket Test in 1993, current captain Ross Taylor had just turned nine.
"Can I remember? Vaguely," Taylor said on Monday.
Odds are he will never forget New Zealand's latest upset - their first Test triumph in Australia since 1985.
Doug Bracewell (6-40) - just two when the Kiwis won in 1993 - emerged as the hero by breaking a 34-run last-wicket stand to seal a dramatic seven-run second Test win in Hobart on Monday.
"I nearly had a heart attack," Taylor, 27, said after they drew the series 1-1.
Australia still dominates head-to-head 52-8.
But it was a fine comeback after the Kiwis were thrashed in Brisbane by nine wickets.
And without key allrounder Dan Vettori, who pulled out half an hour before the Test with a hamstring strain.
In fact it was the first time in almost seven years the Black Caps had toasted Test success without their talisman.
Now Taylor - in just his third Test as skipper - has achieved what many Kiwi captains haven't in a career.
But boy did he have to earn it.
Australia lost 3-0 before lunch when Bracewell claimed Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey in 15 balls in just his third Test.
Australia then lost 4-7 after the break to plummet to 9-199 - still needing 42 to win.
But the rollercoaster ride had only just begun.
Twice New Zealand thought they had Nathan Lyon out lbw - and twice the No.11 was saved by the decision review system (DRS).
Suddenly Taylor thought he would be drowning his sorrows post-match rather than toasting an upset.
Enter Bracewell.
The 21-year-old tattooed allrounder clean bowled Lyon for nine, taking the DRS out of the picture - or so he thought.
Lyon still meekly asked for a referral to check if Bracewell had overstepped.
Taylor would have been forgiven for having more heart palpitations after Bracewell was denied captain Michael Clarke's wicket due to a no-ball in Brisbane.
Asked later how he felt during the DRS dramas, Taylor looked at the nearby TV cameras and said: "This is a g-rated program isn't it?
But Taylor added: "There must be something wrong with my eyes - for me some of them (DRS decisions) that I thought were out were not out and vice versa.
"But at the end of the day we won the match."
Of Bracewell, Taylor said: "I thought Dougy would bowl well - I didn't think he would bowl that well.
"(Dismissing) Ponting, Clarke and Hussey - that is something you tell your grandkids about."
But Taylor also found out a lot about himself after twin failures in Brisbane.
"It was a difficult week leading up to this match," he said.
"Being put under that pressure brought the best out of me."
He added: "The only thing I try to install in players is fight and pride playing for your country.
"We didn't show much fight in Brisbane but we showed a lot of guts and determination out there today."