Australia has been bowled out for 164 after part-time spinner Glenn Phillips ripped through the middle-order in Wellington, taking his maiden Test five-wicket haul on day three of the series opener.
New Zealand is chasing a 369-run target for victory.
Nathan Lyon has snared an early breakthrough for the Australians, removing New Zealand opener Tom Latham caught behind for 8.
The hosts are currently 1-15.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs Australia scorecard
Earlier in the morning session at the Basin Reserve, Australian opener Usman Khawaja suffered a brain fade while facing Phillips, recklessly charging down the pitch and stumped by New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for 28.
Travis Head raced towards 29 before holing out to long-off, becoming Phillips’ second victim of the day. The very next delivery, Mitchell Marsh tentatively prodded a delivery towards bat-pad, trudging off for a golden duck.
The hat-trick ball was safely left alone by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who a few overs later slapped a wide delivery directly towards rival captain Tim Southee at cover.
First-innings centurion Cameron Green scratched his way towards 34 before Will Young grabbed a superb chance at bat-pad, giving Phillips his five-fa.
“It’s a dream come true,” Phillips said during the innings break.
“It’s a surreal moment.”
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New Zealand quick Matt Henry cleaned up the tail, knocking over Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in quick succession.
Earlier, Australian nightwatcher Nathan Lyon fell agonisingly short of a maiden Test fifty in Wellington, dismissed by Black Caps seamer Matt Henry for 41.
The 36-year-old, who was dropped by rival captain Tim Southee on the final delivery of day two, came out swinging on Saturday morning, at one stage cracking three consecutive boundaries.
However, Henry broke through in the 16th over, with Lyon clipping towards Will Young at mid-wicket. Lyon’s highest Test score remains 47, achieved against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018.
Follow all the action on day three of the first Test below!
Source Agencies
