In 1953, 151 people on board the overnight express from Wellington to Auckland on Christmas Eve \u2013 including Nerissa Love, the fianc\u00e9e of New Zealand fast bowler Bob Blair, lost their lives in the country\u2019s worst rail disaster.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tragedy coincided with the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, where Blair was opening the bowling for his country. On day two of the Test match, Blair, then 21, woke up to know that he lost the love of his life and was left to grieve at the team hotel, with the flags of both countries lowered to half-mast at the stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Blair\u2019s unexpected appearance out of the players\u2019 tunnel after New Zealand lost its ninth wicket stunned the knowledgeable Ellis Park crowd into silence, and left players from both sides in tears. He then shared the last-wicket stand of 33 with Bert Sutcliffe as New Zealand made 187. Though South Africa ended up winning the Test comfortably, that match remains one of the defining chapters of New Zealand sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the Shield was a fitting acknowledgement of what he considered one of the great stories of Kiwi sporting courage. \u201cThe background to this Test match is one of the most sad and moving and heart-breaking stories imaginable.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also an uplifting story of incredible courage and resilience, and in terms of the South African team and public, great compassion and empathy. I\u2019m delighted to see this very important part of cricket history properly recognised and acknowledged.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Shield, created by carver David Ngawati (Ng\u0101ti Hine), is made from New Zealand native timber puriri, and includes an inlaid mere made from pounamu sourced from the Tangiwai region. It will be blessed and presented to the teams in Tauranga on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki welcomed the initiative. \u201cOn behalf of CSA, I send my best wishes to everyone who was touched by this tragedy, and to both teams contesting the inaugural trophy. It\u2018s important that the teams of today and tomorrow know where they came from, and I\u2019m sure the Tangiwai Shield will do much to assist with that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/upcoming-nz-sa-test-series-to-be-played-for-tangiwai-shield.jpg", "alt_img": "Upcoming NZ-SA Test series to be played for Tangiwai Shield", "alt_title": "Upcoming NZ-SA Test series to be played for Tangiwai Shield", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Upcoming NZ-SA Test Series To Be Played For Tangiwai Shield On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Upcoming NZ-SA Test Series To Be Played For Tangiwai Shield, Though South Africa: The upcoming Test series between New Zealand and South Africa, set to begin on February 4 in.", "seo_keywords": "Upcoming NZ, SA Test, Tangiwai Shield, New Zealand, South Africa, Mount Maunganui, Christmas Eve, Nerissa Love, Bob Blair, Ellis Park, But Blair, Bert Sutcliffe, Though South Africa, Scott Weenink, South African, The Shield, David Ngawati, Cricket South", "tag": "", "tagging": "Upcoming NZ, SA Test, Tangiwai Shield, New Zealand, South Africa, Mount Maunganui, Christmas Eve, Nerissa Love, Bob Blair, Ellis Park, But Blair, Bert Sutcliffe, Though South Africa, Scott Weenink, South African, The Shield, David Ngawati, Cricket South", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "upcoming-nz-sa-test-series-to-be-played-for-tangiwai-shield", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "2233", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-02-02 14:30:05", "updated": "2024-02-02 14:30:05", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Upcoming NZ, SA Test, Tangiwai Shield, New Zealand, South Africa, Mount Maunganui, Christmas Eve, Nerissa Love, Bob Blair, Ellis Park, But Blair, Bert Sutcliffe, Though South Africa, Scott Weenink, South African, The Shield, David Ngawati, Cricket South", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-02-02 14:30:05", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/upcoming-nz-sa-test-series-to-be-played-for-tangiwai-shield-137349" }