On this day in 1978 New Zealand won their first Test match against England, in a memorable match, its most striking feature being the 7 hour & 20 minute torturous knock, by England’s stand-in captain, Geoffrey Boycott, who replaced Mike Brearley who was at home nursing a broken arm. Although Boycott needs no urging to occupy the crease, at times his determination to stay in completely negates the objective to score runs. England were bowled out for 215, 13 runs short of  the Kiwi’s 1st innings total, with Boycott contributing 77 in an innings seen as one of the low points of his England career. England dismissed New Zealand for 123 in its 2nd innings, leaving a modest target of 139 to win, but on a deteriorating pitch New Zealand were just too good, skittling England out for 64.