Black Caps strike late but Australia in full control

1 Mar 2024

1 News

A dreadful day with both bat and ball has put the Black Caps in a precarious position in the first Test against Australia, despite a couple of late strikes from Tim Southee.

Having rolled New Zealand for 179 inside two sessions, Australia are 13/2 at stumps on day two, with a lead of 217. Steve Smith fell for a third-ball duck, chopping on to give Southee his first wicket of the Test match, before Marnus Labuschagne was strangled down the leg side off Southee for 2 a few overs later. But Southee went from hero to villain, dropping a simple catch at slip off nightwatchman Nathan Lyon on the final bay of the day.

Replying to Australia’s first innings total of 383, New Zealand slid to 12/3 inside six overs, with Australia snaring the big scalps of Tom Latham (5), Kane Williamson (0) and Rachin Ravindra (0). Will Young and Daryl Mitchell didn't last much longer, as New Zealand went to tea 42/5.

Having spent the entire morning in the field watching Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood combine for Australia’s highest-ever 10th wicket partnership against New Zealand, Latham was unable to see off the new ball, chopping Mitchell Starc back onto his stumps.

That brought Williamson to the crease in the best form of his career. But disaster struck for New Zealand as Williamson bunted Starc down the ground second ball and called Will Young through for a quick single, only for the two to collide mid-pitch and Williamson run out by a direct hit from Marnus Labuschagne.

It was Williamson's first duck in over a year and a huge blow to New Zealand's chances in the first Test.

The misery continued as Rachin Ravindra was also dismissed for a duck the following over, as the Black Caps slid to 12/3.

Daryl Mitchell and Will Young briefly set about recovering the innings before both fell in consecutive deliveries. First was Mitchell, who - the ball after hitting Pat Cummins for four - nicked off for 11. Young was strangled down the leg side off Mitchell Marsh the first ball of the following over, departing for 9.

Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell came out with an attacking mindset after tea, quickly putting together a partnership of 84. But after Phillips passed 50, Blundell was caught bat pad off Nathan Lyon, departing for 33. Scott Kuggelijn threw his wicket away two balls later, holing out to deep square leg trying to slog Lyon out of the ground.

Daryl Mitchell reacts after being dismissed by Pat Cummins. (Source: Photosport)

Matt Henry and Phillips built a handy partnership, before Phillips succumbed to the short ball trap and was caught by Starc at fine leg off the bowling of Hazlewood for 71.

Tim Southee tamely clipped Lyon straight to short leg, before Henry was the last man to fall for 42, holing out at deep midwicket off Lyon after an entertaining innings.

Lyon, while expensive, took 4/43, while Hazlewood finished with 2/55. Starc, Cummins and Marsh picked up one each.

Earlier on day two, a record-breaking century partnership for the last wicket between Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood saw Australia take control of the Test.

Starting day two 279/9 after a hard fought contest on day one, Green and Hazlewood defied New Zealand’s desperate attempts to pick up the final wicket, adding another 104 runs and giving Australia control of the game.

Green, not out overnight on 103, picked up where he left off, carting New Zealand’s bowlers around the ground on his way to an unbeaten 174, the highest score of his Test career. He slammed five sixes in the morning session, as Australia, at one stage in trouble at 89/4, crept towards 400.

Much like the first session on day one, the Kiwi bowling contingent were off their game at the start of day two, while captain Tim Southee’s tactics left a lot to be desired. With the pitch still providing plenty of assistance, Southee decided to spread the field for Green from ball one, allowing the Australian batter to take control of the game.

The tactics were not the only thing at fault though. The bowlers didn’t help themselves, being so wayward at times that they set the record for most wides conceded by New Zealand in a Test innings (20). There was a lack of pressure, often bowling too wide and allowing the batters just to leave the ball without any danger. Their plans against number 11 Hazlewood were poor too, often trying to bounce out the tailender rather than bowl consistent line and length.

Matt Henry finally picked up Hazlewood for 22, picking up a much deserved five-wicket bag in the process. Green and Hazlewood’s 116-run partnership for the last wicket was a record for Australia against New Zealand, surpassing Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie’s famous partnership in Brisbane in 2004.

Australia 383 all out (Green 174no, Marsh 40; Henry 5/70) and 13/2 (Southee 2/5)