Before the superstars like Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe, the mainstay of New Zealand cricket in the 1970’s was Glenn Turner. In a career spanning 18 years, Turner scored 34,346 runs in first-class cricket. Interestingly he played 41 tests and the same number of ODI’s and delivered memorable performances like the highest ODI score of 171 during the 1975 world cup.
On this day, 9th April 1972 Turner became part of a record-breaking opening partnership against West Indies in the 4th test at Georgetown. At that time the record for highest opening partnership in a test was held by Pankaj Roy and Vinoo Mankad thanks to their 413 run partnership against New Zealand in 1956.
The series was leveled at 0-0 after three tests. West Indies was going through a transition period under Garry Sobers. The great three ‘W’s were gone along with other great players from 60’s like Wes Hall. On the other hand players like Viv Richards and Malcolm Marshall were yet to start their journey in international cricket.
Batting first West Indies scored 365 for seven before declaring, thanks to a debut hundred by Alvin Kallicharran. Turner opened the innings for New Zealand along with Terry Jarvis, playing his 9th test. The two openers batted without any trouble and kept piling up runs. They ended day three with 163 without loss and it was a tough day for West Indian bowlers. Admittedly it was not a strong bowling line up. Garry Sobers had to open the bowling and Clive Lloyd came as first change and delivered 36 wicketless overs.
On day four, Sunday 9th April, the duo kept adding the misery for the West Indians. They passed 200 and then 300 mark for the partnership. Jarvis got his maiden test hundred along with Turner and focussed to make it a big one. They reached 350 and the record of Roy and Mankad looked in Danger. However with the score at 387, 26 runs away from the world record, Jarvis fell to Leg-spinning all-rounder David Holford for 182. It was a great partnership which still remained the highest opening partnership against West Indies and fourth highest overall. Turner went on to score 259, the highest New Zealand test score before Martin Crowe’s 299 in 1990-91.
After New Zealand declared on 543, the West Indian openers batted for last 40 overs untroubled to finish the match as a draw.
