Christchurch: Mitchell Starc overtook Dennis Lillee’s famous standout with his 356th Test wicket and Josh Hazlewood put in a superb performance before Matt Henry led the New Zealand charge late on the opening day of the second Test at Hagley Oval. After New Zealand were dismissed for their lowest total in Christchurch, Henry claimed the wickets of Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green and Travis Head as Australia reached stumps at 124 for 4 and a 38-run deficit.
Southee admits there is no hiding from the lack of wickets as form overshadows the 100th Test Marnus Labuschagne shrugged off a slump in form in his 50th Test to hold on for 45 to ensure Australia have the upper hand as they look to consolidate the series 2-0 following their decisive win in Wellington. Nathan Lyon survived the final passage of the game as a night watchman. But Henry’s late efforts kept New Zealand afloat.
After watching Hazlewood bowl immaculate line and length in his five-wicket haul, Henry responded with menacing swing and well-executed plans, punctuated by a spectacular performance to get past the defense of first Test centurion Green. Debutant Ben Sears provided New Zealand with an initial spark when he dismissed Steven Smith lbw on his third delivery in Test cricket after coming into the attack in the ninth over as the opening bowler.
Smith was hit in the pads by a complete misjudgement after taking his arms to his shoulders, his disappointment evident when he unsuccessfully reviewed the decision upheld by the referee. Despite losing Head with a sudden strike just before stumps, Australia still finished today’s game in control after Hazlewood and Starc combined for eight wickets as New Zealand capitulated for their third successive innings below 200 runs.
Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first was rewarded with a green-tinted surface that induced movement at the seams, although the conditions did not look as treacherous as in Wellington. Six bowlers were used as New Zealand were bowled out for 162 at tea. It was a disastrous batting performance for New Zealand, at one point losing 8 for 60 in a terrible start to an important match in the midst of Kane Williamson and Tim Southee’s 100-Test milestones.
New Zealand let a solid start slip after Tom Latham and Will Young failed the new ball in a 47-run opening partnership Latham has scored just 202 runs at 16.83 in his last 12 Test innings but looked confident from the start and played fluently unlike Young who endured a torrid time against Hazlewood and Cummins. Cummins – in the 12th over – returned to Lyon, fresh off the start of his 10-wicket haul on the spin-friendly Basin Reserve surface.
But spin has traditionally not been favored at Hagley Oval, with Lyon’s entry into the attack being the first ever by a spinner at the ground. Latham made a statement by sweeping the first ball to the boundary and there was little spin on offer for Lyon, who bowled just two overs in the innings. Australia faced a wicketless first session until Starc returned and in the 19th over, Young’s scrappy innings ended after Mitchell Marsh took a tough low catch at third slip to trigger New Zealand’s collapse.
It was the 29th time Australia had opted to bowl first in Tests since 1998, but only twice had they taken a wicket longer. Australia quickly gained the upper hand by lunch when Hazlewood dismissed Latham and Rachin Ravindra, who slipped after attempting a loose drive. Ravindra threw his head back and trudged desperately as New Zealand continued to sink after the break.
