Player of the Match
Player of the Match

12:58pm Seven wickets in the session was a likely outcome but it came with a few surprises. Ravindra and Mitchell started well today. That was until Lyon changed ends, shifted to the RA Vance end, and all hell broke loose. He put out three point fielders and had Ravindra cut it to one of them. Blundell was out bat-pad thanks to the extra turn and bounce. Phillips was stuck in the crease a couple of overs later. Mitchell batted with the tail but couldn't get much done and NZ succumbed to a loss.

Cameron Green is named player of the match

Tim Southee: "Like every game we'll reflect and look at ways we can better. We didn't think it would turn as much as it did. We saw the ability for Glenn to come into the game. Those two [Phillips and Henry] had great weeks and contributed with the bat. Glenn is still new to Test cricket and he's doing a great job. Always nice to play in front of good crowds and has been as good as I remember at the Basin Reserve."

Pat Cummins: "We had our moments. A really good game overall and never felt too far in front on that wicket. A little bit [surprised at the spin and bounce], first of all seeing how green it is. Was really bouncy and had some pace. As much bounce as any wicket I've seen for a long time. [Cameron Green] He was amazing, really the difference in the end. Thought the way he went about it, that intent, but pressure back on the bowlers. Pretty quick turnaround, enjoy this win but pretty chilled."

So, Australia have taken out this opening contest in ultimately convincing fashion. Once again, their bowling attack coming to the fore. We may also look back on this game as being very significant for Cameron Green. Plenty for the home side to ponder. They need much more from their top order and also have questions over the balance of their side. Alex will have all the reaction from Wellington over the next few hours. We'll be back on March 8 for the second Test from Christchurch but until then, from Gnasher, Ekanth and Chandan, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.

64.4
W
Hazlewood to Mitchell, OUT, Clothed right up, Hazlewood runs in and takes it. Australia complete a 172-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Hard length, heavy ball, normal stuff from Hazlewood. Mitchell went back in the crease, cleared the front leg and heaved across the line. The ball got big on him and came around chest-height. It ballooned up for a dolly. Celebrations follow.

DJ Mitchell c & b Hazlewood 38 (207m 130b 2x4 0x6) SR: 29.23

Brad: "From the look of the pitch before the game started no one would predict Lyon gets majority of the wickets. Can't really blame NZ for not picking Santner."

64.3
0
Hazlewood to Mitchell, no run, Controls the pull to send the bouncer angling into him, to deep square leg

Jeffo: "@Timmy - I don't agree with the Santner call. NZ's problem is their batsman haven't scored any runs. Top five contributed 25 in first dig. "

64.2
0
Hazlewood to Mitchell, no run, Length outside off, driven off the back foot to deep cover
64.1
0
Hazlewood to Mitchell, no run, Two is the call from Mitchell, the batters crossed before running back to their respective ends. Length on fourth, was tapped off the back foot with an angled bat to deep point

END OF OVER:
64 | 1 Run | NZ: 196/9

  • William O’Rourke0 (5b)
  • Daryl Mitchell38 (126b)
  • Nathan Lyon27-8-65-6
  • Josh Hazlewood9-2-20-1

Hayes: "Imagine taking 10 (11?) wicket in a match and being told it's basically a fluke."

63.6
0
Lyon to O'Rourke, no run, Stays in the crease and defends the fullish ball at the stumps, 89ks, with a deadbat
63.5
0
Lyon to O'Rourke, no run, Length on leg, goes back and blocks it off the back foot

Helmet and pad brought in for bat-pad. Marnus there. Lot of close-in fielders on the legside. Slip in too

Jeet: "Daryl Mitchell looks absolutely determined to run out of partners today" That's one way to frame it

63.4
1
Lyon to Mitchell, 1 run, Wide on a length, Mitchell goes outside off to work it off the back foot to deep square leg. Single taken. Lyon has a jovial word with Mitchell, who goes to O'Rourke for a word
63.3
0
Lyon to Mitchell, no run, Goes across and stays in the crease to tuck the length ball to backward square leg

Richard : "Spot on Neil. Nz again (like 2019) find themselves playing aus with half the team out of form to the extent you could argue they need dropping. Never going to compete when that is the case."

63.2
0
Lyon to Mitchell, no run, Goes back and tucks the length ball to short leg on the bounce

Wide gully in to keep the reverses in check

63.1
0
Lyon to Mitchell, no run, Goes across and reverse sweeps the fullish ball to deep-backward square

Timmy: "Too much of a deal has been made of Lyons efforts. Surely if a part time spinner like Glen Phillips can take five wickets then surely a frontline spinner should be able to take heaps more. NZ only find themselves in this predicament because they couldn't bring themselves to picking Mitch Santner" Santner point seems fair but Lyon has got ten for the match, so there is some underselling here

END OF OVER:
63 | 1 Run | NZ: 195/9

  • William O’Rourke0 (3b)
  • Daryl Mitchell37 (122b)
  • Josh Hazlewood9-2-20-1
  • Nathan Lyon26-8-64-6

Minnie D: "NZ need a lower order batsman who can apply themself and not just slog. Like Neil Wagner."

62.6
0
Hazlewood to O'Rourke, no run, Fuller side of length outside off, left alone
62.5
0
Hazlewood to O'Rourke, no run, Bumper at 130ks is over off. Great height, around the bade. O'Rourke ducks mainly his head to let it pass

Mitchell has a word with O'Rourke as Australia bring the field in. Four slips, short leg in

neil1 doesn't hold back - "clueless performance from kiwis. At least 5 changes required for next test"

62.4
1
Hazlewood to Mitchell, 1 run, Around a back of length outside off, punched off the back foot to cover
62.3
0
Hazlewood to Mitchell, no run, Shuffles across and helps it along to deep fine leg. Single not taken this time. Was a shortish ball that was angling in
62.2
0
Hazlewood to Mitchell, no run, Three-quarter length on off, 132ks, worked to the right of the bowler
62.1
0
Hazlewood to Mitchell, no run, Length around fourth, defended off the back foot to the bowler

New Zealand 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st15TWM LathamWA Young
2nd20KS WilliamsonWA Young
3rd24WA YoungR Ravindra
4th67DJ MitchellR Ravindra
5th0DJ MitchellTA Blundell
6th2DJ MitchellGD Phillips
7th36DJ MitchellSC Kuggeleijn
8th23DJ MitchellMJ Henry
9th7TG SoutheeDJ Mitchell
10th2DJ MitchellW O'Rourke