The second day of the Wellington Test had it all: a record partnership, a disastrous run-out and a dropped catch on the last ball.
The late dismissals of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne gave New Zealand a glimmer of hope after a disastrous day for the hosts at the Basin Reserve.
The Black Caps were bowled out for 179 on Friday afternoon following a crushing 5-17 defeat, leaving Australia in an almost unassailable position in the series opener.
Match Center: New Zealand vs Australia scorecard
But New Zealand captain Tim Southee dismissed Smith and Labuschagne at the end of a nervy eight overs, and the soft dismissal was a celebration for the Kiwis. Smith lazily slammed a wide delivery, chopped on for a duck, and Labuschagne tickled the leg side for a one-two, continuing a worrying streak of low Test scores.
Watch the Australia vs New Zealand Test series on Kayo Sports. All Tests, ODIs, T20I Lives are ad-free while playing. Is this your first time in Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The last ball leaves Lyon's wicket 00:28
But in a late development, Southie dropped a regulation chance at third slip on the final delivery of the day, giving nightwatcher Nathan Ryan a huge reprieve and knocking the wind out of New Zealand's sails.
Australia lead by 217 points with two wins and 13 losses at Stamps, with opener Usman Khawaja (5*) and Lyon (6*) unbeaten in the middle.
Earlier, centurions Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood formed a record-breaking 116-run partnership for the 10th wicket, surviving over two hours at the crease to frustrate the Kiwis.
Smith duck! The experiment failed again! | 00:41
New Zealand's top order looked amateurish in a frantic 3-0 collapse with six throws, led by a humiliating strike from champion batsman Kane Williamson. The 33-year-old forced team-mate Will Young for a quick single after out-fending the defense in mid-off, but the pair collided in mid-pitch as Labuscagne threw down the non-striker's stumps. did.
Earlier in the same over, Black Caps opener Tom Latham hit Mitchell Starc's wobble-seam shot back into the stumps to score five, throwing his head back in disbelief. Minutes later, rising star Rachin Ravindra fell for a duck after scooping a wide pass towards the point from Hazlewood, but Ryan saved a fine lunging catch.
Williamson goes into a ridiculous runout | 00:48
New Zealand's woes continued when Darryl Mitchell and Young departed on back-to-back deliveries late in the afternoon session to upset the hosts 5-29. Mitchell put rival captain Pat Cummins through wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 11 before Young strangled Mitchell Marsh's wayward pass down the leg side.
Glenn Phillips and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell set out to rebuild the innings, putting together an 84-run partnership that counter-punch for the sixth wicket, featuring a variety of boundaries all the way to point.
However, momentum shifted back in Australia's favor when Lyon was introduced into the attack and removed Blundell and Scott Kuggelein in quick succession. Blundell was caught on Travis Head's butt pad for 33 before Kuggelein holed out to deep square leg for a second-ball duck.
After the tea break, Phillips shifted to white-ball mode, racing towards a half-century on 43 deliveries and enjoying the Australian bowlers when Kingfisher lost its luster. The right-hander was supported by Henry, who smashed a trio of six from Lyon into the stands during an entertaining cameo of 42 (34).
But Phillips' resistance came to an abrupt end at 71 (70) when a top-edged hook shot landed towards deep fine leg and Starc defended the regulation catch. Ryan cleaned up his trail and beat Southie and Henry, finishing with 4-43 from 8.1 overs.
Lyon scores two points and Australia advances! | 00:56
Resuming at 279 for 9 in the second morning session, the unlikely duo of Green and Hazlewood formed the best partnership of the match to guide Australia towards 383 all out. Hazlewood scored 22, his highest Test score in eight years, while Green scored an unbeaten 174 in a career-best performance that featured 23 boundaries and five sixes.
With the New Zealand bowlers heavily fielded by Western Australia's bouncers, Green deftly controlled his strike and smashed several sixes into the hills of Basin Reserve, creating an unwanted national record of 20 wides in an innings. Ta.
After the morning session was extended into the lunch break, Henry found a much-needed breakthrough when Hazlewood chipped in at Ravindra at half-time. The dismissal gave Henry his second five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing with 5-70 from 30.1 overs.
Wellington testing will resume at 9am (AEDT) on Saturday.
Australia's best 10-wicket partnership in Tests
163 — Ashton Agar/Phil Hughes vs ENG, Nottingham (2013)
127 — Arthur Maley/Johnny Taylor vs ENG, Sydney (1924)
120 — Warwick Armstrong/Reggie Duff vs ENG, Melbourne (1902)
116 — Cameron Green/Josh Hazlewood vs Wellington, New Zealand (2024)
114 — Jasno Gillespie/Glenn McGrath vs Brisbane, New Zealand (2004)
Relive all the action from day two of the first test below.