Nathan Lyon is due a well-earned rest after playing a crucial role in defying New Zealand’s fight back led by Glenn Phillips taking a maiden five-wicket haul.
Catch up on more from the first Test at Basin Reserve with the day three report:
After taking two of the three New Zealand wickets to fall this afternoon, Nathan Lyon leaves Basin Reserve on day three knackered but happy:
“Great day of Test cricket,” Lyon said after play. “I’m a big fan when the ball spins. Hats off to Glenn’s five-for. I didn’t think it would spin after the South Africa Test. The Wellington wind can be challenging at the start. But I actually quite enjoyed it once I got into a rhythm and ended up getting nice shape on it.
“Gotta give credit where it’s due,” the veteran offspinner went on. “I thought Rachin batted well. First time I bowled to him and watched him during the World Cup, I thought: ‘He’s gonna be a superstar’. But I know if we put pressure on and challenge their defence for a long time, we’ll crack them.”
Updated
STUMPS DAY 3: New Zealand are 113-3 needing 237 runs for victory
And so ends another scintillating day’s Test cricket. After falling short with bat and ball on the opening two days, New Zealand won Day Three handsomely. Against all odds, they have fought back and given themselves a real chance of winning this Test.
Australia started the day wobbling at 12-2 but also leading by a whopping 217 runs. And a swashbuckling 41 from nightwatchman Nathan Lyon put the home side further on the back foot. But once Lyon left the scene, the Australians fell apart. A brilliant spell of spin from Glenn Phillips did much of the damage as the allrounder followed up his sparkling 71 from 70 balls in the first innings to take a first five wicket haul in Tests.
It reduced the Test champions to a meagre total of 164, but still 369 runs in front. That lead looked insurmountable when the Kiwis collapsed to 35-2 and then 59-3, losing key man Kane Williamson for another cheap score. But that’s when Australia’s brief ascendancy ended. Rachin Ravindra slugged away to stumps for a fine fifty and Daryl Mitchell scratched around with a flurry of streaky shots but somehow he survived.
It leaves this first Test delicately balanced for day four. New Zealand need 237 runs. Australia require seven wickets. The way this devilish pitch is playing we’ll have our victor this time tomorrow. Join us then and we’ll see how this epic match plays out.
41st over: New Zealand 111-3 (Ravindra 56, Mitchell 12) Final over of the day. Will Ravindra risk an attacking shot? He’s surveying the field, looking for men on the fence. It’s been a good day for New Zealand – a wonderful blitz with the ball and a brave fightback with the bat. Will Ravindra ice it with a six? Hazlewood certainly won’t go easily into the evening. He sends a bouncer Ravindra’s way first up and then follows up with another chin-tickler on the third. Ravindra is tempted! He swings hard but it misses the meat of the bat and goes skyward. For a moment Hazlewood thought he’d hit the jackpot as fielders converged from all corners. But the ball plops short of all of them. And that’s Day 3 done. The Black Caps duo walk off to fight another day and Australia ponder whether they can take seven wickets for 237 tomorrow to seal a first Test win.
Updated
40th over: New Zealand 109-3 (Ravindra 55, Mitchell 11) Can Lyon spring a late surprise? He keeps challenging Ravindra to hit out, tossing it up outside off, making him shuffle to the pitch of the ball. But he can’t be tempted. Instead, the young man tucks one around the corner to bring up the fifty partnership from 116 balls.
39th over: New Zealand 106-3 (Ravindra 52, Mitchell 11) Josh Hazlewood gets a last shot at a wicket but Mitchell has the shutters down and the slippers on. He blocks four until letting the fifth delivery clip his thigh pad and skid to the boundary. No shot. Dead ball. Another maiden.
38th over: New Zealand 106-3 (Ravindra 52, Mitchell 11) The home side seem to have shut up shop, playing out a maiden from Lyon.
37th over: New Zealand 106-3 (Ravindra 52, Mitchell 11) Starc is getting slow-clapped by a Wellington crowd who have enjoyed a fantastic day’s cricket and are now riding high on the back of Ravindra’s sparkling rearguard action. These fans won’t give a fat rat’s but Starc is on the brink of some sweet history himself – he’s one shy of Dennis Lillee’s historic bowling mark of 355 Test wickets. History has to wait though as the Black Caps pick off four runs from the over.
36th over: New Zealand 101-3 (Ravindra 50, Mitchell 8) As shadows lengthen at Basin Reserve the Australian chatter rises a notch. Day three has entered its final half-hour and Cummins recognises it by reintroducing his main weapon, Nathan Lyon. Mitchell is facing up and he squirms his way through six deliveries without losing his wicket.
35th over: New Zealand 101-3 (Ravindra 50, Mitchell 8) Mitchell to Mitchell as Starc charges into his fifth over and Daryl Mitchell looks for an eighth run from 40+ balls. His intent has been impressive today but his execution certainly hasn’t been. His seven runs have come from top-edges and miscues and he’s lived dangerously with lots of reckless slogs and risky reverse sweeps. Now he almost runs himself out turning for a second run. Luckily Ravindra sends him back and dispatches Starc to the midwicket boundary to bring up a very well made half-century from 77 balls. Technically, that’s the first Test fifty on Ravindra’s record, given the only time he reached that mark he went on to amass 240. A hearty cheer from his home crowd for a fine innings.
Updated
34th over: New Zealand 96-3 (Ravindra 46, Mitchell 7) Almost a run-out! Mitchell whacked Head straight back down the ground. The ball kept low and Head lunged, almost getting a finger on it before it cannoned into the stumps at the non-striker’s end and scudding away for a run. Replays show Head didn’t get a touch and Ravindra delivers him a stern reprimand, stepping down and lifting Head’s fourth ball high and hard and over the fence. Six! Good batting by Ravindra who’s strike-rate sits above 60.
Updated
33rd over: New Zealand 89-3 (Ravindra 40, Mitchell 6) Starc struts back for a spell. He’s been copping it sweet fielding on the boundary for an hour, a crowd of Kermit the Frogs, Where’s Wallys and Oompa Loompas giving him heaps for his fielding indiscretions and Australian passport. Now the big fella is fuming. His first ball is fast and furious – but wide. Ravindra climbs into it and sends it to the boundary in a flash. Cracking stroke! Starc recovers nicely, shooting the next three through in the channel before firing one at a three-quarter length and drawing a thick edge which reaches Smith on the half-volley.
32nd over: New Zealand 84-3 (Ravindra 36, Mitchell 6) Travis Head is back. He fires his first delivery in at middle stump but Ravindra leans back and slashes square for a single. Mitchell now gets a look and what he sees is worrisome. Head jags a ball back from a fifth-stump line and gets it to spear into the batter’s belly. Next ball skids on ankle-high. Mitchell blinks first, trying for slog sweep but sending it fizzing to short leg for no run.
31st over: New Zealand 82-3 (Ravindra 35, Mitchell 6) Cummins bounces Mitchell and Mitchell hooks Cummins. But only for a single. The run rate is crawling at under 2.5 per over but Ravindra gives it a spike, swivelling beautifully into a Cummins half-tracker and bulleting it the boundary at long leg. Great shot and he works a smart single from the final delivery to hang onto strike and let his twitchy partner Mitchell settle awhile.
30th over: New Zealand 77-3 (Ravindra 30, Mitchell 5) “Good ball Gazza!” Alex Carey likes what he’s seeing. ‘Gary’ Lyon is into his 13th over and has 2-24. Ravindra is still looking to attack, skipping back to cut hard, but mostly not finding the gaps. Maiden.
29th over: New Zealand 77-3 (Ravindra 30, Mitchell 5) Big edge from Ravindra! But it’s just wide of a leaping Smith at slip. Cummins crashed that one in a little faster and the batter got on his toes to steer it through covers but it was too quick for the middle of the bat and slipped through the cordon for a boundary. New Zealand now trail by 292 runs.
28th over: New Zealand 72-3 (Ravindra 25, Mitchell 5) Missed chance! Mitchell swept lavishly but only succeeded in top-edging. Carey was too low to take the catch and so it sailed over his head and ran to the boundary for four byes. Streaky stuff from the Black Caps No 5. Lyon keeps probing on a length, searching for one to spit out of the rough. But Ravindra sees out the over intact.
27th over: New Zealand 68-3 (Ravindra 25, Mitchell 5) Cummins can smell blood here. He slides a couple more past Mitchell’s twitchy blade and leaden feet. Now the nerves manifest as a late withdrawal just as Cummins was into his leap. Wind? Or nerves? Finally he tucks one away for a single but Australia won’t mind that in the slightest. It puts him on strike for Lyon’s next over.
26th over: New Zealand 67-3 (Ravindra 25, Mitchell 4) Stumping chance?! Mitchell danced down the wicket and took a wild swing at Lyon’s second delivery on a length. But again the bounce undid him and he missed it. Luckily so did Carey so he survives. Replays show the ball actually bounced off the back of the batters leg so not a catching opportunity but certainly a missed stumping chance. They run a bye and that’s good for New Zealand because Daryl Mitchell is playing crazy cricket at the moment.
25th over: New Zealand 66-3 (Ravindra 25, Mitchell 4) After a quick drinks break, Pat Cummins has taken back the ball for a final blast. Australia have 20 overs left today to break this Black Caps batting order. Cummins has Mitchell playing and missing, hopping and propping. But he finally escapes with a single squirted on the leg-side.
24th over: New Zealand 64-3 (Ravindra 24, Mitchell 3) Reverse sweep! That’s a rash shot for a man who’s faced five balls and has three top-order cobbers back in the pavillion. Smith appeals for a stumping but Mitchell shrugged off the rush of blood and got back in time. After a few lucky swipes without connection he top-edges one for two. I’m all for aggressive counter-attack but this is dangerous by Mitchell so early in his innings.
Take some advice from the Shaky Isles’ silkiest voice, Daryl!
Updated
23rd over: New Zealand 61-3 (Ravindra 23, Mitchell 1) As reward for the wicket of Young, Travis Head gets another over but he can’t jag another scalp. Mitchell takes him for a single but Ravindra goes into attack mode. Can’t get hold of one though.
Mark Waugh looked up from his form guide just enough to take 182 Test catches…
22nd over: New Zealand 60-3 (Ravindra 23, Mitchell 0) Daryl Mitchell is the new man at the crease but Ravindra has the strike. He lashes Lyon square for a single but that’s it. New Zealand are back on their heels after that wicket, still 309 runs short of victory.
WICKET! Young c Smith b Head 15 (New Zealand 59-3)
He’s done it! Head – the man with the golden arm – has struck from nowhere! Will Young may have relaxed a bit with the part-timer into the attack. He leaned into a ball he could probably have left and it spun just enough to catch the edge and Steve Smith took a brilliant reflex catch low down to his left. Good bowling by Head, great captaincy by Pat Cummins and amazing slip fielding by Smith – that’s his 183rd catch and takes him past master slipper Mark Waugh and to No 2 on the all-timers tally (behind Ricky Ponting)!
Updated
21st over: New Zealand 59-2 (Young 15, Ravindra 22) Here’s a surprise! Travis Head has been thrown the ball ahead of the allrounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh. Interesting tactic from Pat Cummins but a smart gamble I reckon. Travis Head has a habit of jagging cheeky wickets…
20th over: New Zealand 59-2 (Young 15, Ravindra 22) Crack goes Ravindra! Lyon’s fourth ball wasn’t that short but Ravindra leapt back and made space to hammer it square and find the boundary. Good batting by the young man. The sun is out here in Wellington and the Black Caps are making hay. They almost have the chase total under 300…
19th over: New Zealand 55-2 (Young 15, Ravindra 18) Slack by Starc! Ravindra clipped it to fine leg for a single but the big quick misjudged the slide and fumbled it into the rope for four. Hazlewood is not a man easily angered though. He holds his nose and spins on his heel to go again. Meanwhile Starc is copping it from the beer-swigging Banana Splits on the boundary. Apparently Day 3 is fancy dress day. He gets a big Bronx cheer when he successfully fields the final ball as Ravindra runs a single.
Updated
18th over: New Zealand 50-2 (Young 15, Ravindra 13) Lyon bowls a bouncer! Well, almost. He landed it outside off to Ravindra and it leapt a mile so Ravindra had to jerk his head out of the way and Carey took it above his head. Still some serious venom in this pitch! Ravindra rips one of his own, finding some width and whipping it to the boundary. There’s a huge appeal on the next – a looping Lyon yorker that Ravindra tries to swat down the ground. The umpire shakes his head but Cummins makes the T. Bad call. There’s no edge and it’s hit Ravindra on the full on the toe outside the line. He celebrates by bouncing back in the crease and cutting hard but he can’t find the gap.
17th over: New Zealand 43-2 (Young 15, Ravindra 8) Finally runs! After two maidens, Young steps out and drives Hazlewood through covers for two runs. There’s a healthy crowd in at Basin Reserve, most in jumpers to protect them from the Wellington winds and a few dressed as bananas.
16th over: New Zealand 43-2 (Young 13, Ravindra 8) Turn and bounce for Lyon! That was close to an edge. Ravindra lunged to meet the first delivery but it spun past the edge. Lyon grins at the young man and gets a grimace in return. Ravindra clobbers the next one but straight to the man at cover. Lyon keeps ripping them in from outside leg stump but Ravindra plays each with soft hands and survives unscathed.
15th over: New Zealand 43-2 (Young 13, Ravindra 8) Cummins’ cue is in the rack and Hazlewood has returned for a second spell. He only got two overs in his first so plenty of juice left in the Hoff yet. Straight away he nags at Young on that metronomic line, tempting him to step out and take it on, teasing on a length. The Black Caps opener doesn’t want a bar of it though, leaving everything and playing out a maiden.
14th over: New Zealand 43-2 (Young 13, Ravindra 8) It’s Lyon v Ravindra. Wily veteran against cocky youngster. The young man has a challenge on his hands but his feet are moving and his eye is sharp. He rocks back and slaps a couple square. Can’t do anything with the five others though as Lyon teases and prods at his defences. Honours even.
Updated
13th over: New Zealand 41-2 (Young 13, Ravindra 6) Bang goes Ravindra! It was a short snarling delivery from Cummins and the youngster took it on, pulling it to the rope. Good batting! Ravindra taps a single from the next one. That 240 came against South Africa three weeks ago and announced him on the world stage. His other 10 innings have only yielded 134 runs but he’s away today against the best ace attack in the world.
Updated
12th over: New Zealand 36-2 (Young 13, Ravindra 1) New batter Rachin Ravindra is off the mark straight away with a similar shot to the one that got him caught for a duck in the first innings, stepping back and swiping through the covers. This time he strikes past the fielder for a single. Hopefully we get a good look at the exciting 24-year-old in this innings. He’s only played five Tests but he’s already got a highest score of 240.
WICKET! Williamson c Smith b Lyon 9 (New Zealand 35-2)
Massive breakthrough! Lyon switched to around the wicket and Kane Williamson went to work the first ball fine but it reared like a rattlesnake and caught a tentative edge. Steve Smith was waiting in a leg slip trap and he gobbled up the chance. Australia celebrate and the Basin Reserve sinks into stunned silence. That’s their ace card gone!
Updated
11th over: New Zealand 35-1 (Young 13, Williamson 9) Cummins enters his third and Young is watchful but the third ball is a fraction short and he taps it behind square for a couple. Cummins snarls one past Young’s chin in response but the batter sways out of its path with ease. Australia pressing hard here but the home side are settling in nicely.
10th over: New Zealand 33-1 (Young 11, Williamson 9) Latham lashes Lyon for four! It was another short ball and it hopped up into Williamson’s sweet spot and he whipped it square for an easy boundary. The GOAT’s riposte is a ripper – literally. It turns prodigiously and Williamson loses sight of it. The next one spins sharply from outside off, too sharply for both batter and ‘keeper. It runs away for four leg byes. And then Williamson makes it three boundaries, pulling another short ball behind square for an easy four. Twelve from the over!
Updated
9th over: New Zealand 21-1 (Young 11, Williamson 1) Cummins is tickling the speed gun into the 140s already as the Australian skipper bends his back for another breakthrough. Williamson uses it against him, taking a fast, angling ball on middle and working it to fine leg for a leg bye. A bouncer on the fourth and a boundary on the fifth as Latham cracks it square and Hazlewood fumbles on the boundary. The Hoff got there in time and tried to flick it back but it stuck in his palm and then spun back into the rope.
8th over: New Zealand 16-1 (Young 7, Williamson 1) Lyon on line from the get-go! Williamson has to lunge forward to nullify the spin. He baulks at the next ball, retreating as it spins back to strike the Black Caps champion above the knee roll. The fourth ball is short and Williamson pulls it to the fence to open his account with a run. But that’s it from the over.
7th over: New Zealand 15-1 (Young 7, Williamson 0) And we’re back! Pat Cummins will take the first over after the break. Australia are going in for the kill here. Lyon at one end, Cummins at the other. They know Kane Williamson is the danger man an they want him cooling his jandals back in the sheds. But it’s Young on strike and he’s struggling with Cummins’ nagging line, playing and missing outside off and then hopping into a ball that jags back viciously and thunders into his pads. Young edges the fifth but it’s well short of the three-slip cordon. Great Test cricket this!
TEA: New Zealand 15 for 1 and need 354 runs for victory.
What a session that was. A clatter of Australian wickets and a solitary New Zealand one. Nathan Lyon is already shaping as the lynchpin to an Australian victory. He snared four wickets in the first innings and watched with wet-lips as his Kiwi adversary Glenn Phillips bagged five. Now from his very first over he’s knocked over Tom Latham and almost sent Kane Williamson back to the pavillion twice. Quite the six demon bag!
6th over: New Zealand 15-1 (Young 7, Williamson 0) Appeal against Williamson straight away! Surely the Black Caps master can’t follow a silver duck with a golden one? Lyon delivered another loose one down leg side and Williamson hungrily gave chase. He took a massive swat at it and didn’t appear to make contact. But Carey gloved it way down the leg side and started whooping. On field decision is not out but Cummins is determined to review. But it’s a bad call from Captain Pat – there’s not a murmur on the Snicko. Kiwi pulses settle… but then they spike again as Williamson doesn’t judge the next and gets a double hit on it. Almost another freak dismissal! Strange, I know.
Updated
WICKET! Latham c Carey b Lyon 8 (New Zealand 15-1)
Lyon strikes! Second ball was a rank long hop but it hopped high and Latham’s eyes lit up. He leaned back and swiped but it caught the edge and Carey gloved it on the up. Big wicket for the Australians. What can Kane Williamson produce?
Updated
5th over: New Zealand 15-0 (Latham 8, Young 7) Starc is still struggling for his line here. He’s scowling up a storm. But he’s not leaking runs either and two maidens on the trot is a pretty sweet silver lining. Nathan Lyon is moving in for a spell me thinks.
4th over: New Zealand 15-0 (Latham 8, Young 7) Play and miss! That was a whisker from Young’s outside edge. But he finds the middle of the bat on the second ball gets two behind square, and then a single from the next. Latham does even better, working a straighter ball off his hip and down to the fine leg fence for four.
Updated
3rd over: New Zealand 8-0 (Latham 4, Young 4) Starc is spraying them in this over. Could be the Wellington wind which is at his back. Or could be faulty radar. Either way he’s way outside the ‘channel of challenge’. Starc is pawing at the popping crease with a scowl, displeased at his landing point. But somehow he’s delivered a maiden.
2nd over: New Zealand 8-0 (Latham 4, Young 4) Josh Hazlewood will steam into the wind for his opening spell, not that he’ll mind. There’s plenty of bounce left in this Basin Reserve pitch and the Bendemeer Bullet finds it immediately, luring Latham into a flourish outside off. He misses but not by much. The fifth is superb bowling – bang on line as per usual – and Latham follows it again and gets a little too close for comfort. He finally gets a bat on one, working a single from the final delivery.
1st over: New Zealand 7-0 (Latham 3, Young 4) The Black Caps are away! Mitchell Starc shaped a ball onto leg stump but Latham leaned into it and squirted it behind square for a rapidly-run three. Excellent intent from the Kiwis. Likewise from Starc who whistles the a bouncer past Will Young’s nose hairs. Welcome, Mr Young! But he gets an educated edge to the next one, opening the face and playing late. It skids past Cameron Green at gully and rockets into the third man fence. Seven runs from the first!
Glenn Phillips is delighted with his five-for and optimistic for the second innings:
“It’s a dream come true. Never thought it’d be in home conditions, thought it’d be in the subcontinent. It’s a surreal moment. Tim is an incredible captain, gives you lots of chances. I’ve had a serious set of coaching staff over the years.
“Partnership bowling helped today, we were great after lunch. Any celebration a six-year-old girl would do, that’s probably me. I’ve never thought of what to do after I get a five-for. Celebrating with the crowd was an unbelievable moment.
“I think we’re in the Test. We’ve got to combat the situation. There’s spin, how we play Lyon and the big fast bowlers will be a challenge. We’ve got a lot of time in hand and hope to get through.”
Updated
Australia all out for 164. New Zealand need 369 runs to win.
We’re only halfway through this Test match but already we’re entering the final innings. What a thriller it’s going to be. New Zealand need 369 for victory but will take enormous heart from bowling out this star-studded Australian lineup for 164, their sixth-lowest total ever in Tests against the Black Caps.
They’ve done it with the ball, can they do it with the bat? It’s a strong batting order but they badly fluffed their lines in the first dig, mixing horrible batting with terrible luck. Surely Kane Williamson – who had four consecutive centuries before he ran himself out second-ball yesterday – will lead the way. Or will the Australian fast bowling cartel click into gear and cause merry havoc as they did in the first innings?
Buckle ‘em up and batten ‘em down – we’re about to find out!
Updated
WICKET! Starc b Henry 12 (Australia 164-10)
Henry ends it! He tossed up a full ball on the pegs and Starc duly swung for the heavens and missed. The ball cannoned into leg stump and that’s the end of Australia’s second innings. Fantastic fightback from the New Zealand bowling attack led by Glenn Phillips’ 5 for 45. Here comes the run chase. The home side need 369 runs to win this Test.
51st over: Australia 164-9 (Starc 12, Hazlewood 1) Phillips ambles into the 16th over of this incredible five-wicket spell. Hazlewood can’t be tempted by the first couple but he leans back and has a lash at the third. Can’t split the field though. He slog sweeps to the billyo against the spin on the next but catches only the Basin Reserve breeze. He jams out a yorker from the last. That’s a fourth maiden for Mr Phillips.
50th over: Australia 164-9 (Starc 12, Hazlewood 1) Henry to Hazlewood and he takes an easy single from an inside edge the first. Starc swings lustily at the fourth delivery but gets only the toe of the bat on it. Henry dives to avoid the bullet and Starc banks four. Australia’s lead is now a hefty 368 but the psychological advantage of 400 would be immense.
49th over: Australia 159-9 (Starc 8, Hazlewood 0) Thanks Jim! First innings hero Josh Hazlewood is at the crease in the midst of a massive Australian batting collapse. Last time he had Cameron Green at the other end, mixing patience and power. This time his partner is Mitchell Starc, a man famous for the latter but not so much the former. Can this amazing Test take another 10th wicket twist? Glenn Phillips turns the screws with another maiden.
Updated
48th over: Australia 159-9 (Starc 8, Hazlewood 0) The players take a drink and that’s my cue to get out of here. Angus Fontaine is here to guide you tenderly through the rest of the day. Game on and Goodbye!
Updated
WICKET! Cummins c Latham b Henry 8 (Australia 159-9)
Third time lucky… Cummins edges to Matt Henry at second slip and the catch is taken. New Zealand need one more to polish off the Aussies. The current target is 362 runs.
47th over: Australia 158-8 (Starc 7, Cummins 8) Phillips to Cummins. Big Pat heaves into the leg side…DROPPED and four! My oh my. That was a shocker from the sub fielder Henry Nicholls. The ball crashed through his fingers and plooped over the rope. Should have been caught all day long. Cummins has had two lives and Phillips could easily have picked up seven or eight wickets.
46th over: Australia 148-8 (Starc 7, Cummins 2) Matt Henry replaces O’Rourke who is off the field, a tidy over sees Cummins take a single into the leg side. New Zealand can’t afford to take their foot off the gas here, Cummins and Starc can easily add a quick fifty or so and that diminishes any chance of the Kiwi win by plenty. It’s still a distinctly outside chance with the lead at 352 and Nathan Lyon licking his lips and clicking his fingers. (Doo wah diddy diddy dum diddy dum?)
Updated
45th over: Australia 147-8 (Starc 9, Cummins 1) Phillips to new batter Pat Cummins… Cummins heaves one high into the leg side… DROPPED! Kuggeleijn made good ground and got to the ball at wide long on but then shelled the chance. Should have been held. Should have been a sixth wicket for Glenn Phillips.
WICKET! Green c Young b Phillips 34 (Australia 146-8)
Glenn Phillips has five! That’s his first five wicket haul in first class and Test cricket. Green prods forward to a spinning delivery and proffers a catch off the inside edge that Young dives and snaffles at short leg.
Updated
44th over: Australia 146-7 (Green 34, Starc 7) O’Rourke back into the attack… Starc clobbers his first ball high and long over midwicket for four. Hello Gruesome. Big Mitch is a dangerous wielder of the long handle, that was a mighty and effortless blow. Oh no, O’Rourke looks to be in trouble here, he bails out of his run up and goes straight off the pitch, I think he was clutching his hamstring – fingers crossed it is just a twinge. Tim Southee finishes off the over by ripping one past the edge of Starc’s blade.
Updated
43rd over: Australia 142-7 (Green 34, Starc 3) Starc is the new man, two dots for him to have a sighter and then he works neatly into the gap in the leg side to pick up three runs. Australia lead by 346 runs with three wickets remaining.
Updated
WICKET! Carey c Southee b Phillips 3 (Australia 139-7)
Sharp catch by Tim Southee! Phillips gets his fourth wicket of the innings, tossing one up outside off that Carey drives in the air and straight to Southee at short cover, only about five metres away from the bat. The Kiwi skipper clings on to a reflex catch with both hands. New Zealand into the tail…
42nd over: Australia 138-6 (Green 33, Carey 3) The magnificently tousled Rachin Ravindra is coming on for his first bowl in the match. Starts with a full toss that Carey misses out on. A sweep brings Green on strike. Ravindra lollops in, left arm around the wicket, no discernible spin but a tidy action. Two off the over.
Updated
41st over: Australia 136-6 (Green 32, Carey 2) Phillips gives it some more air and nearly pockets Alex Carey who throws his hands at the ball and spoons it into the gap in the off side. Phillips throws his head back and allows himself a chuckle, he thought he had another there.
Updated
Epic pic from Collo:
Hat-trick ball collection #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/rVbwJENAk5
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) March 2, 2024
40th over: Australia 134-6 (Green 32, Carey 1) Cameron Green is still in the middle, he flays Southee up and over a diving Phillips in the gully for four. A back foot punch brings two more. New Zealand are buoyed, these runs will take some chasing even if Australia were skittled without another run being added, but they’ve given themselves a hint of a whiff of a sniff here in Wellington.
Updated
39th over: Australia 127-6 (Green 26, Carey 0) A small matter of a double wicket maiden for Glenn Phillips. Australia lead by 331 runs.
Updated
Fielders round the bat… Here we go… Phillips throws it wide of off stump and Carey leaves well alone. No hat-trick but New Zealand back in the game at the Basin!
And Marsh goes first ball! #NZvAUS https://t.co/IweCQaRZQ5 pic.twitter.com/2U5WF2qJEz
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 2, 2024
Updated
WICKET! Marsh c Young b Phillips 0 (Australia 127-6)
Glenn Phillips is on a Test hat-trick! Mitch Marsh pops a catch to Will Young at bat pad off his very first ball. Now then! Alex Carey will be on strike for the big moment…
Updated
WICKET! Head c Kuggeleijn b Phillips 29 (Australia 127-5)
Head goes for a big one but the bat skews in his hands and he plinks it to Kuggeleijn three quarters of the way back to the fence!
Updated
38th over: Australia 127-4 (Green 26, Head 29) Shot! Green unfurls a lovely straight drive off Southee, the ball skimming to the boundary at long on.
37th over: Australia 122-4 (Green 22, Head 28) Glenn Phillips is given the nod and starts with a lovely looping delivery that tempts Head into a big swish but spin sharply to leave him grasping outside off stump. The walrus moustachioed Head then rocks back and plays a cut for three runs, Tom Latham hunting the ball down in the deep.
36th over: Australia 119-4 (Green 22, Head 25) Tim Southee starts things off, Cameron Green greets a length ball with an open face and a glide for four. Lovely touch from the big man. DROP! Green then smacks one straight back to Southee who can’t cling on above his head, tough chance but New Zealand need to take them.
“Morning / Afternoon / Evening James.”
Just ticking up to 1am here in London Patrick O’Brien.
“Is it just me or does Will O’Rourke sound like a 90s indie rocker who played ‘angular’ guitar but always had an underlying passion for country music ie has the original vinyl of Sweetheart of the Rodeo? I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”
I’m all for it. I’d go watch Will O’Rourke’s acoustic noodlings at the Half Moon Cafe. Care to join?
Here come the players for the afternoon session, Green and Head stroll out to the middle under cloudy Wellington skies. Let’s play!
Time for some sustenance, join us for the afternoon session shortly and please do fling a missive into the OBO mailbag.
Lunch: Australia 113-4 (Lead by 317 runs)
Gah. Glenn Phillips has the final over of the session and he drops too short, allowing Head to flay him away through the leg side for a boundary. Same again, Phillips kicks the turf as he serves up a short one for Head to feast on before lunch can begin in earnest. Australia finish strongly and will be more than happy with their morning’s work: 100 runs added 27 overs for the loss of two wickets – Lyon and Khawaja.
35th over: Australia 113-4 (Green 17, Head 24)
Updated
34th over: Australia 105-4 (Green 17, Head 16) New Zealand in danger of letting their decent morning’s graft get away from them as Kuggeleijn replaces O’Rourke and is picked off for two boundaries in the over by Travis Head. A pull for four off the hip is followed by a cut shot for four more – Head backs to leg and generates just enough room to play the stroke. He’s so dangerous, New Zealand have to get him before he gets them.
33rd over: Australia 96-4 (Green 17, Head 7) Phillips sends down his first bad ball of the morning, a half tracker that Green pounces on and pummels into the grass bank for SIX!
32nd over: Australia 87-4 (Green 11, Head 4) O’Rourke has been a revelation this morning, he reels off his fourth maiden of the morning.
“Hi James,
I appreciated the Verve Lucky Man song reference. It got me thinking. Since Urban Hymns was released in 1997, NZ and Australia have played 28 tests, with NZ recording one win, in Hobart in 2011. The phrase “meagre returns” doesn’t even begin to describe NZ’s record in this format.
Not so much Lucky Man or men then. I’d suggest Weeping Willow or Space and Time from Urban Hymns as more accurate descriptors of this cricket rivalry, if we can call it that.
“There ain’t no space and time
To keep our love alive
We have existence and it’s all we share.”
Many thanks, David - NZ Cricket supporter in Tokyo
30th over: Australia 87-4 (Green 11, Head 4) All gone a bit tense out there as Green takes a single off Philips. Australia with half an eye on lunch. New Zealand will be adding two wickets to this score and thinking they can winkle their way back into the game.
Enjoyed this from Andy Roberts. I knew I’d reel in someone…
“Hi James,
Listening as I plod away at my Uni course during the morning. Enjoying Australia’s acendency, but nearly choked on my coffee when I read your line “I reckon even the most fair dinkum Aussie fan wouldn’t mind a bit of a Kiwi fightback to make it interesting here?” Sorry James, but that’s not how we do sport. Instead, I would prefer to see a pair of quickfire double centuries from Head and Green, followed by a Kiwi batting collapse and some Blackcaps eating a big old serve of humble pie after yet another smashing by Australia. What world do you live in where you want to see the enemy team play well? Must be an English thing... cheers and hope you enjoy the day’s play. Tongue out of cheek now, I think the Aussies are set to go big today - should be a treat to watch.”
FYI – I reckon Andy is Australian.
29th over: Australia 86-4 (Green 10, Head 4) O’Rourke to Head, good battle this. The bowler is naggingly accurate and Head is itching to feel bat on ball. A clip over the infield brings the batter three runs.
28th over: Australia 82-4 (Green 9, Head 1) Head nearly perishes after missing a straight full bunger from Phillips, an under edge saves him and also gets him off the mark.
27th over: Australia 81-4 (Green 9, Head 0) New Zealand have bowled well since drinks – O’Rourke has kept the pressure on and the scoring to a minimum. The young quick stitches together another maiden and very nearly sneaks a yorker through Green’s defences. Australia lead by 285 runs.
26th over: Australia 81-4 (Green 9, Head 0) Travis Head is the new batter and he is going through a lean patch too – just one run from his last three Test innings. He pats Phillips’ final ball back.
WICKET! Khawaja st Blundell b Phillips 28 (Australia 81-4)
Phillips throws one full and wide to try and draw Khawaja into a drive against the spin. The batter looks tempted but decides better of it right at the last. Ussie tries a reverse sweep to the next ball but fails to connect, the ball thunking into his cable knitted mid-riff. Got him! Khawaja comes out of his crease to try and mow a length ball down the ground but swipes at fresh air, Tom Blundell gathers and whips off the bails with the opener out of his ground.
Updated
25th over: Australia 80-3 (Khawaja 27, Green 9) Khawaja paddles Phillips for a couple and then dances down to drive through cover for three more.
Simon McMahon’s had a dram or two before hitting the keypad. Lovely stuff as ever.
“Hi Jim. I love sporting rivalries, whether it be individual, like Borg - McEnroe or Ali - Frazier, or national, like India - Pakistan, Brazil - Argentina. Being Scottish, I have a particular affinity with New Zealand, the Scotland to Australia’s England. Though I’m a big supporter of the England cricket team, for reasons I probably shouldn’t go into on a Friday night after one or six whiskies. Really hoping the Black Caps can do something special here and make a game of it, though I have my doubts. That’s what being Scottish does to you…”
I reckon even the most fair dinkum Aussie fan wouldn’t mind a bit of a Kiwi fightback to make it interesting here?
24th over: Australia 75-3 (Khawaja 22, Green 9) O’Rourke to Green, the batter stands tall and punches a single to cover. New Zealand are already staring down the barrel of needing a record run chase at the Basin as the Aussie lead creeps up to 279 runs.
23rd over: Australia 73-3 (Khawaja 21, Green 8) Glenn Phillips continues and perhaps reveals how hard any run chase is going to be on this wicket with Nathan Lyon in the opposition. He gets bite and sharp turn off a length, squaring Khawaja up and razzing one past the outside edge.
22nd over: Australia 71-3 (Khawaja 19, Green 5) O’Rourke starts them off after a slurp and he’s accurate once again, hitting a fourth stump line and keeping Cameron Green honest. A maiden.
21st over: Australia 71-3 (Khawaja 19, Green 5) Time for the spin of Glenn Phillips, he bustles to the crease and gets plenty into his action, there’s some turn off the wicket but he can’t quite get his line correct, Green and Khawaja pocket three singles and it is time for a big fat shot of Powerade. Other beverages are available. Australia lead by 275 and have only lost Nathan Lyon thus far this morning.
Runs scored in six most recent Test knocks:
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) March 1, 2024
110 - Pat Cummins
103 - Nathan Lyon
52 - Mitchell Starc
28 - Josh Hazlewood
22 - Marnus Labuschagne#NZvAUS
Updated
20th over: Australia 68-3 (Khawaja 19, Green 5) O’Rourke starts with a maiden, full and in the channel outside off stump. Khawaja is happy to leave well alone.
19th over: Australia 68-3 (Khawaja 19, Green 5) Kuggeleijn is full and Khawaja drives for a couple back past the bowler. He seems to have cracked his bat in the process so there is a short delay whilst a new piece of willow is called for. Will O’Rourke is coming into the attack as the strains of The Verve’s ‘Lucky Man’ float around the Basin reserve. New Zealand need some fire in the hands here.
18th over: Australia 64-3 (Khawaja 16, Green 4) Henry raps Khawaja on the bottom hand, this pitch has still got plenty in it. Green uses his feet to come down the wicket to Henry but is then happy to let the ball go outside off stump. A full ball takes Green’s inside edge and Henry puts his arms to his head, that was out if Green missed it. Shot! Khawaja gets a half volley in the slot and doesn’t miss out, driving away in the gap for his first boundary.
17th over: Australia 58-3 (Khawaja 11, Green 3) Scott Kuggeleijn into the attack in place of Southee. Khawaja tickles a single to bring the in-form Green onto strike. The big fella stands tall and punches through cover to pick up three runs off his first ball. Kuggeleijn slings a coupe wide of the off stump that Khawaja pays no heed to.
WICKET! Lyon c Young b Henry 41 (Australia 53-3)
Henry nearly cleans up Lyon with one that moves back late but is then flicked away for four next ball as Lyon moves into the 40s. Lyon has the highest amount of runs for someone without a Test fifty in Test cricket… but he won’t get there today! Another clip is well clung onto by Young at short midwicket. An enterprising knock comes to an end, Cameron Green is the new man.
16th over: Australia 53-3 (Khawaja 9, Green)
Updated
15th over: Australia 47-2 (Khawaja 8, Lyon 36) Edge! Lyon gets away with one that flies in the gap between third slip and gully and finds the fence. And again – Lyon throws the bat at another length ball and this time the edge flies pas the right hand of Glenn Phillips in the gully. Three in a row, too wide from Southee and Lyon throws his hands at it, a big edge flies over point and away for another four! Lyon has never hit a Test fifty… a single sees him keep strike as Southee beats Khawaja with a beauty that zips outside off to finish the over.
Updated
14th over: Australia 34-2 (Khawaja 8, Lyon 24) Khawaja continues in his sedate but merry fashion, a single brings Lyon on strike and he pushes nicely down the ground to pick up three runs.
13th over: Australia 30-2 (Khawaja 7, Lyon 21) Lyon shakes his mitt a few times but is good to continue. Shot! Southee sends down another short one but Lyon is up to it and more – pulling away over midwicket for a one bounce four.
12th over: Australia 26-2 (Khawaja 7, Lyon 17) Good and aggressive move from New Zealand as the short leg is put in close under the lid and Henry is bowling short of a length into the ribs. Lyon will have a job to do in the final innings with the ball, not a bad shout to get him hopping about the crease and thinking about protecting those magical digits. Sure enough he takes a blow on the glove and it looks a painful one.
No idea why we think the finger spinner is the best choice as nightwatchman #NZvAUS https://t.co/CL7IZLlCri
— Guy Incognito (He/him) (@TeamBloomart) March 1, 2024
Updated
11th over: Australia 23-2 (Khawaja 7, Lyon 14) Lyon flashes hard outside off stump and the edge flies up and over the slips for four, he can be a very dangerous batter if he gets his eye in. A single dropped into the off side sees Lyon keep strike.
10th over: Australia 18-2 (Khawaja 7, Lyon 9) Matt Henry to start from t’other end. He’s full and at the pads, Khawaja jamming down just in time to keep the bowler out. Cable knit on for Khawaja, it looks like it could even be a two jumper day. Three left alone wide of off stump before a quick single dropped into the off side. Lyon has one ball to face and… he flicks off his hip for a single to keep strike.
9th over: Australia 16-2 (Khawaja 6, Lyon 8) Tim Southee gets day three underway, three slips and a gully in place. Usman Khawaja takes a single off his pads to get Australia ticking. Close! Lyon gets a meaty edge on a decent length ball but it lands in the gap and the batters scamper two runs.
Here come the players, a stiff Wellington breeze rippling the whites as they take to the field. Fingers crossed for some fireworks… Let’s play!
Marnus’ lean patch continues. A needless flick late in the day saw him caught by the keeper down the leg side, exactly the sort of dismissal that happens when you are going through a bad trot.
Marnus Labuschagne has endured a lean run with the bat in Tests since the start of 2023 📉#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/Cm3UCE0AAb
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 1, 2024
It looks a bit cloudy and breezy in Wellington this morning, Tim Southee and Matt Henry have a ball that is only eight overs old and bowled with great skill last evening. It’s a cliche but the first hour is huge, if Australia make it through unscathed it could effectively be curtains for the Kiwis.
New Zealand need to take early wickets, realistically they need to blitz through Australia’s batting card in the next couple of hours to leave themselves a target of around 350. That might give them an outside chance…
I’m nervous 😬 I just hope Tim Southee comes out strong and gets some early wickets!!! #NZvAUS
— Aaron 🇳🇿 🦍 (@BlizzardKing_) March 1, 2024
Cameron Green will have to wait his turn for the time being, Usman Khawaja and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon will resume at the crease this morning.
They do love their Test cricket at the @BasinReserve. Queuing up two hours before the start of play on a cloudy Wellington morning & Cameron Green is already in there prepping to potentially double up #NZvAus pic.twitter.com/GLy4Cywzf0
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) March 1, 2024
Whilst I make myself comfortable and settle my haunches into the well worn grooves of the OBO armchair, why not catch up on yesterday’s action?
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the day three OBO of New Zealand v Australia from the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Yesterday was a day to forget for the home side, after being skittled out cheaply for 179 runs they find themselves behind the 8 ball with plenty to do to get back in the match. A couple of quick wickets late last evening – Messrs Smith and Labuschagne back in the hutch cheaply – will have given them some hope but Pat Cummins’ men are ahead by a whopping 217 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Play begins at 11am local time, 9am AEDT, 10pm here in London. Jim here with the call, please do drop me an Email or tweet @Jimbo_Cricket. Let’s do this.
Updated
