Australia inflicted a crushing innings defeat on New Zealand with a day to spare in the first Test in Wellington when they dismissed the home side for 327 on Monday. In a Test that will be remembered for two majestic innings by Adam Voges and Usman Khawaja, as well as an umpiring howler, Australia won by an innings and 52 runs.
Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood all shared the spoils as the last six New Zealand wickets fell for 149 on day four. Australian captain Steve Smith said it was the first step in their quest to regain the number one Test ranking which will require them sweeping the two-Test series.
"We want to be number one in the world in all three formats and I think this Test match is a step in the right direction," he said. "It was a pretty good toss to win. Having said that, we had to put the ball in the right areas for extended periods and I think we did that. We put the NZ batters under pressure and reaped the rewards." New Zealand were on the back foot from the time they lost the toss and were 51-5 in the first session, according to skipper Brendon McCullum.
"Conditions were difficult on that first morning," he said. "We came up against a team who played a very, very good Test match and we were just a little bit short. It's not a reinvent the wheel situation but we've got to tidy up a few areas."
New Zealand had been set a target of 379 just to get in credit in their second innings after Voges' 239 set up Australia's first innings of 562. The recognised New Zealand batsmen made starts, but were unable to turn them into big scores. After getting to 218-7 it was left to the last three batsmen to add 109 runs. Tim Southee was in a one-day mood with 48 off 23 balls and Mark Craig contributed an unbeaten 33.
At the top of the order, Tom Latham scored 63 and Henry Nicholls, on debut, added 59 while Martin Guptill made 45 and Kane Williamson 22. Williamson and BJ Watling are renowned as doughty batsmen capable of occupying the crease for a long time but neither lived up to their reputation in the face of a tight bowling attack. Lyon occupied one end with his off-breaks and the quicks were rotated at the other with a plan for each of the batsmen.
Australia had been in charge of the Test from the time Smith won the toss and New Zealand were out within two sessions on a green-topped wicket. The second Test starts in Christchurch on Saturday. It will be the last international for the retiring McCullum.
-- New Zealand 1st innings 183 (M. Craig 41 n.o.; Hazlewood 4-42, Lyon 3-32, Siddle 3-37)
-- Australia 1st innings 562 (A. Voges 239, U. Khawaja 140, S. Smith 71; Anderson 2-79, Southee 2-87)
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New Zealand 2nd innings (overnight 178-4)
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T. Latham c Khawaja b Lyon 63
M. Guptill c Marsh b Lyon 45
K. Williamson c Nevill b Hazlewood 22
H. Nicholls b Bird 59
B. McCullum lbw Marsh 10
C. Anderson lbw Marsh 0
B. Watling b Lyon 10
D. Bracewell lbw Hazlewood 14
M. Craig not out 33
T. Southee c Khawaja b Lyon 48
T. Boult b Marsh 12
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Extras: (b2, lb5, nb4) 11
Total (for 10 wkts, 104.3 overs) 327
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