First, Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood combined for a stunning knock to leave Australia cheering and New Zealand frustrated.
And if it wasn’t already bad enough for the hosts, disaster struck with the bat in hand as New Zealand went 3-0 in six balls to put Australia in a commanding position in the opening innings of the first Test at the Basin Reserve.
The Black Caps are currently 9-163.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs Australia live scorecard
Mitchell Starc claimed Australia’s first wicket as he dismissed Tom Latham for five, leaving New Zealand at 1-12 early.
But things only got worse from that point in a horror mix-up as Kane Williamson hit a straight drive to mid-off and started a regulation run, only for Will Young to seemingly not share the same plans. The pair proceeded to run into each other, with Williamson departing in stunning scenes.
The hits kept coming for New Zealand as Rachin Ravindra then went for a duck after a great catch from Nathan Lyon that left the hosts at 3-12.
Australian captain Pat Cummins joined the party shortly after, with Daryl Mitchell feathering the Kookaburra through to gloveman Alex Carey for 11. The following delivery, Young strangled a wayward delivery from Mitchell Marsh down the leg side, with Carey accepting another catch.
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Glenn Phillips and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell combined for a counterpunching 84-run partnership for the sixth wicket before spinner Nathan Lyon removed Blundell and Scott Kuggeleijn in quick succession.
Phillips raced towards 71 (70) before top-edging a hook shot towards deep fine leg, where Starc held onto a regulation catch, with Black Caps captain Tim Southee falling victim to Lyon shorty after.
Earlier, Australia was bowled out for 383 after centurion Cameron Green and tailender Josh Hazlewood combined for a record-breaking 116-run partnership for the tenth wicket against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.
The unlikely duo survived more than two hours at the crease on Friday morning before Black Caps seamer Matt Henry broke the stand, with Hazlewood chipping a catch towards mid-off for 22.
Green finished unbeaten on 174, the highest score of his Test career, while Henry secured a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5-70.
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Source Agencies
