Australian cricket team in New Zealand in 1896–97

The Australian cricket team toured New Zealand in November 1896, playing five matches.

Harry Donnan, the other member of the side that had toured England, did not play in New Zealand as he had to return to his employment in Sydney.

[2] The Australians arrived in Auckland on 5 November, after a three-week voyage from San Francisco on the Mariposa.

[1] The Canterbury association agreed to accept 75 per cent of the profit from the match at Lancaster Park.

Kelly was the top-scorer in the match with 36; Southland's only player to reach double-figures was the captain, George Burnes, who made 18 in the second innings.

[10] Rain on preceding days had dampened the ground, and the match was played on matting laid down over the pitch.

The match concluded early on the second day, after which the Australians had a second innings to entertain the crowd, scoring 220 runs for six wickets in 90 minutes.

The Otago number 12, Ralph Spraggon, made the highest score on either side with 36 in the first innings.

[1][15] Their resistance gave Australia a fourth-innings target of 73 runs in the last hour of the match.

[18] Shortly after play ended on the third day, the Australians left for Australia on the Rotomahana.