The Ellis Park saga that unfolded during the Christmas of 1953 is one of the most inspiring stories to come out of New Zealand cricket. We do not remember the match for its dramatic finish or insatiable records but for the heroic defiance of two Kiwi batters - one battling a physical tragedy while the other dealt with a personal loss. This is a story about the men who forgot to look up the word ‘surrender’ in the dictionary.

The second test was scheduled from December 24-29. On Christmas Eve, the Wellington-Auckland express plunged into the Whangaehu river at Tangiwai. One of the piers on the railway bridge over the river got damaged by a mudflow. The tragedy resulted in a death toll of 151. New Zealand fast-bowler Bob Blair’s fiance Nerissa Love was among the people who perished.

Blair did not take the field the next day. Murray Chapple was hit in the chest by a bouncer from 6’3” tall and menacing Neil Adcock. Bert Sutcliffe took charge at 9-2. For those who don't know, Sutcliffe was New Zealand's leading scorer then. He attempted to hook a short ball from Adcock but instead missed it, hitting him on the left ear. 

He was rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile on the ground, Lawrie Miller was hit on the chest by a sharp bouncer from Adcock. He was rushed to the hospital as well.

Score was 57-5. The crowd was in shock when Miller walked out to bat. He bravely batted for his 14. Score had now reached 81-6 and New Zealand required another 40 runs to avoid the follow on. What happened next is a story for the ages. Sutcliffe walked in to bat with his head wrapped in bandages. If Miller shocked the crowd, Sutcliffe left them stunned. But this was not it. There was more to come.

Sutcliffe launched a counter-attack. Follow-on was saved but the match wasn’t. The Kiwis were at 154-9 when the players started to walk off the field. To everyone’s amazement, Bob Blair walked out to bat. Wiping his tears, as he took guard.

The crowd had experienced varied emotions in a matter of a few hours. Creating a bond is perhaps the toughest thing in this world but that day Ellis Park stood behind the broken men. South Africa won the test. The defiant Kiwi Scripted a cricket folklore like no other, one that shall live on forever.

To commemorate the Tangiwai train tragedy, all New Zealand and South Africa series will now be played for the Tangiwai Shield. The Shield is crafted from native New Zealand timber puriri and has been crafted by David Ngawati.