Cricket: Black Caps in friendlier territory

The four New Zealand batsmen who scored centuries against Australia at the Waca in 2001. Photo / Getty

Perth's ageing WACA ground has been good to New Zealand.

In six visits dating back 35 years, New Zealand have had a win, three draws and two defeats to Australia, a far cry from the eight-loss, one-win in 10 visits to Brisbane's Gabba.

November 1980, Australia won by eight wickets

A three-day, low scoring test in which New Zealand twice failed to reach 200. They were dismissed for 196 in their first innings - of which Jeremy Coney made 71 - with fast bowling great Dennis Little taking five for 63. Australia's 265 was dominated by Rod Marsh (91) and Doug Walters (55) who rescued their side from 68 for five. Richard Hadlee and Lance Cairns shared nine wickets. New Zealand were then rolled for a paltry 121, with legspinner Jim Higgs the surprise success story, taking four for 25, leaving the Aussies to knock off 55 for the win.

November 1985, New Zealand won by six wickets

This win, two weeks after the triumph at Brisbane won New Zealand the series, still the only series success in Australia. The match was notable for slow run rates throughout. Hadlee went through Australia for 203, taking five wickets, with Ewen Chatfield three. The run rate, 2.42, was the fastest of the four innings. New Zealand made 299, Bruce Edgar grafting six and a half hours over 74, and Martin Crowe making 71, the runs coming at 1.9 an over. Hadlee surpassed his first innings effort, taking six for 90 - 11 for 155 in the match -- as Australia made 259. New Zealand got 164 for four to cap a memorable series. Hadlee's 33 wickets was the key factor in the rubber.

November 1989, match drawn

Mark Greatbatch's finest game for New Zealand. Australia had New Zealand on the ropes, after making 521, opener David Boon hitting 200, then dismissing the visitors for 231, of which Greatbatch got 76 and Crowe 62. Following on, New Zealand started the final day at 168 for four, still 132 away from making Australia bat again. Powerful lefthander Greatbatch was still there at the end, unbeaten on 146, after a magnificent 10 hours, 55 minutes defiance, facing 485 balls. He got important help from Jeff Crowe (49), Chris Cairns (28 in 93 minutes) and finally Martin Snedden, who was undefeated on 33 in 202 minutes.

November 1993, match drawn
There were centuries for Australian wicket keeper Ian Healy (113 not out), then Andrew Jones (143) as New Zealand led by 21 at the halfway point, and finally Mark Taylor with an unbeaten 142. New Zealand, with a target of 303, finished on 166 for four and an honourable draw.

November 1997, Australia won by an innings and 70 runs
A convincing win for Australia, who led by 244 on the first innings, with 96 by Steve Waugh, 86 from his brother Mark and 85 from Healy. Cairns and left armer Shayne O'Connor shared seven wickets. New Zealand's second innings was a meagre 174, with the never-heard-from-again Simon Cook taking five for 39 for Australia.

November 2001, match drawn
Four New Zealand centuries in their first innings 534 for nine, still the second highest total against Australia, put them in an unbeatable position. Lou Vincent (104 on debut), Stephen Fleming (105), Nathan Astle (156 not out) and Adam Parore (110) got the tons, matched only once before by a New Zealand side, against India at Mohali in 2003, when Vincent, Mark Richardson, Scott Styris and Craig McMillan got to three figures. Shane Warne was dismissed for 99, Dan Vettori taking six for 87, as Australia were out for 351. New Zealand declared its second innings at 256 for nine, leaving Australia 440. They were 381 for seven, with a thrilling finale in prospect when time ran out.