Australian cricket team in New Zealand in 1956–57

An Australian national cricket team captained by Ian Craig toured New Zealand between February and April 1957. They played 12 matches, seven of which were first-class, including three matches against New Zealand, but these were not granted Test status. The Australians won one and drew two of the international matches, and won the other four first-class matches.

Team

 * Ian Craig (captain)
 * Richie Benaud
 * Peter Burge
 * John Drennan
 * Les Favell
 * Ron Gaunt
 * Neil Harvey
 * Barry Jarman
 * Lindsay Kline
 * Johnny Martin
 * Ian Meckiff
 * Norm O'Neill
 * Bob Simpson
 * Bill Watson

It was a young team: Craig was 21; the oldest player, Harvey, was 28; and the youngest player, O'Neill, was 19.

Matches
Australia won the first game against Canterbury by five wickets. Benaud took four wickets and Burge scored a century.

The next game against Southland was drawn. Southland were dismissed for 84, Gaunt taking 6-23. Favell scored 81 and Watson 74.

Australia beat Otago by an innings and 102 runs. Harvey scored 161 and Kline took six wickets and Meckiff five.

Australia beat a combined team from Ashburton County, South Canterbury and North Otago by an innings and 18 runs, Meckiff taking 8-19 in the first innings.

First Unofficial Test
Australia played a New Zealand team, a match that ended in a draw. Craig scored 123 not out in the second innings.

Australia beat Wairarapa by an innings.

Second Unofficial Test
In the second game against New Zealand they drew, Benaud taking 6-79.

A match against Poverty Bay was a draw, despite Benaud and Harvey scoring centuries.

Australia beat Auckland by an innings and 54 runs, Meckiff taking nine wickets.

They drew with Waikato, Martin taking five wickets. Australia beat Central Districts by ten wickets, Benaud scoring a century and taking eight wickets.

Third Unofficial Test
In the third and final unofficial test, Australia beat New Zealand by ten wickets. Meckiff and Benaud took six wickets for the game, Martin took seven and Norm O'Neill scored a century.

Neil Harvey headed the batting aggregates in first class games with 448 runs at 49.77. Benaud took 32 wickets at 19.31.