Green’s 174* helps Australia secure a significant lead.
Wellington, Steven Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne were all dismissed cheaply on day two, but Australia remained in command of the first Test after a disciplined attack tore through New Zealand in difficult conditions at Basin Reserve.
After being put to the sword in Australia’s first innings by Cameron Green, who finished unbeaten on 174 and shared a record tenth-wicket partnership of 116 with Josh Hazlewood, a rattled New Zealand wilted in response, being bowled out for 179 in 43.1 overs.
With a 204-run lead in the first innings, Australia chose not to force New Zealand to follow on, leaving them with a challenging eight overs before stumps. Captain Tim Southee gave New Zealand a much-needed boost by removing Smith, who chopped over his stumps for a duck on the third delivery of the innings.
Southee, who had taken only two wickets in his previous five Test innings, was on a roll when he strangled Labuschagne down the leg side for two. Labuschagne trudged out in disgust after failing to reach double figures for the fourth time in Test cricket.
Nathan Lyon, the nightwatcher, survived a gruelling stretch before stumps after suffering a horrific hit to his body and was dropped by Southee at third slip off Matt Henry.
Opener Usman Khawaja also made it through, and despite the late drama, Australia finished the day on top.Australia’s frontline seamers and allrounder Mitchell Marsh were relentless, each taking a wicket, while Lyon generated crisp turn and probed dangerously outside off stump to finish with 4 for 43. In the process, he surpassed Courtney Walsh’s 519 Test wickets to claim seventh place on the all-time list. Green did not bowl after a long 275-ball innings.
New Zealand had high hopes of mounting a strong response under sunny circumstances, with the pitch appearing to smooth out, as is frequently the case at Basin Reserve. However, it did not happen because their top order struggled to deal with irregular bounce when the ball arose from divots.
Mitchell Starc, in his maiden Test in New Zealand, attempted to bowl full, but it was a good-length delivery that left opener Tom Latham unsure whether to play or not, as he hacked onto his stumps to spark a collapse of three wickets for 0 runs in six deliveries.
Kane Williamson, who had three hundreds in four innings against South Africa, was run out just two balls later in a terrible mix-up. He went for a single, only to collide with Will Young, who was watching the ball, as Labuschagne smashed the stumps with a direct throw from close range.
In the next over, Rachin Ravindra was persuaded to drive by Hazlewood’s full and wide delivery, only to slice to Lyon, who held on to a fine catch at point.Due to the circumstances, Daryl Mitchell had to temper his aggression and scored only 7 runs off his first 35 deliveries before whacking a short delivery from Pat Cummins to the boundary. But on the following ball, he nicked a magnificent length delivery from Cummins, who is also making his Test debut in New Zealand.
Coming to the bat at 29 for 5, Glenn Phillips decided to counterattack and established a quick 84-run partnership with Tom Blundell to temporarily halt Australia’s drive.
Despite Phillips’ efforts to make 71 off 70 and Matt Henry’s late cameo of 42, Lyon took control to end the fightback.
Green’s earlier attack, which saw him score 71 runs and absolutely dominate a lengthy first session, appeared to kill New Zealand’s spirit.
Green, who established himself as Australia’s No. 4 with a stunning century on the first day of the series, toyed with New Zealand’s faltering attack using a combination of power and placement. He and Hazlewood, who struck 22 off 62 balls, surpassed Australia’s record highest last-wicket stand against New Zealand, which was 114, set by Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie at the Gabba in 2004.
