Unthinkable image during opening Test vs New Zealand puts Australia to shame

New Zealand has put Australia to shame with one act that will leave Aussie sports fans heartbroken and dreaming of the glory days.

Sorry Australia, but we’ve really messed up here.

As our Aussie cricketers take on New Zealand in the opening Test in Wellington, one image puts our great country to shame.

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After the first session on the opening day came to an end, the Basin Reserve did something us Aussies can only dream of when we attend professional sporting events.

They opened the gates and allowed fans onto the ground during the lunch break.

Some took the opportunity to just wander around the field and get a closer look at the green top pitch while others set up mini games of cricket in the outfield.

The unthinkable images will leave Aussie sporting fans broken hearted as the thought of rolling out onto the MCG for a kick are nothing more than a dream nowadays.

Whether you want to blame it on precious curators not wanting their grass messed up or Aussie patrons being over-policed, the sight of fans in New Zealand enjoying the ground – during a lunch break no less – is an Australian shame.

One user wrote: “Can’t do the same in some countries mainly the subcontinent one’s. Kiwis are nice and mannered people, we can’t say the same for others.”

A second added: “We have the hideously over policed SCG.”

A third wrote: “Kiwis do it better.”

Cricket fans allowed on the ground during lunch break. X/@collinsadam

It’s hard to argue that on this occasion, New Zealand have come out well on top of Australia.

Nothing was better than going along to a game of AFL or the cricket and then trotting out onto the ground that your heroes had just battled it out on.

Kids far and wide would stroll through the MCG gates with a footy tucked under their arms, all for the moment they could hop over the fence and have a kick with their old man or friends.

But those days were cruelly ripped away from patrons and in one New Zealand lunch break we were reminded just how good those days were.

Walking on to the ground and standing at mid-off during the lunch break. God defend New Zealand. #NZvAUSpic.twitter.com/7dt9dqt2oR

— Russell Bennett (@rgbennett) February 29, 2024

Patrons allowed on the ground during lunch break at Basin Reserve in Wellington. Great to get a look at the pitch or partake in your own games on the outfield. Awesome #[e-mail]/1UBDuqrVY5

— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) February 29, 2024

Not only did New Zealand show us why they do it better with those in attendance, they proved they’re up for the fight against the might of the Australian Test team.

After a sluggish opening session, the Kiwis came out firing after the lunch break and caused chaos in the middle.

Marnus Labuschagne’s lean streak continued as he was sent packing for one run, Usman Khawaja followed shortly afterwards after a peach of a delivery from Matt Henry.

A gem of an inswinger thundered into the opener’s stumps and saw the Aussies fall to 3/88. It got worse moments later when Travis Head was knocked off for one run.

Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green have stabilised the Australian innings with the opening Test sitting on a knife-edge.

Originally published as Unthinkable image during opening Test vs New Zealand puts Australia to shame