Cameron Green has rescued Australia with a counterattacking century after New Zealand’s pace attack wreaked havoc on a topsy-turvy opening day of the first Test in Wellington.
The West Australian all-rounder repaid the selectors’ faith with a gritty 103 not out, his highest Test score since being elected to No. 4, guiding the tourists towards 9-279 at stumps on day one at the Basin Reserve.
It was Green’s second century in Tests, reaching the milestone in the final over of the day by carving a cut shot through point. He raced from fifty his triple figures in just 46 deliveries, finding the boundary rope 16 times during his career-defining knock.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs Australia scorecard, live updates and more
After being sent in, Australia was briefly reeling at 4-89 before Green set about rebuilding the innings, receiving support from fellow all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (40 off 39 deliveries) and captain Pat Cummins (16).
Earlier, Black Caps quick Matt Henry ripped the heart out of Australia’s top-order, taking 4-43 from 20 overs including the dismissal of both Australian openers. Fellow seamers Will O’Rourke and Scott Kuggeleijn, both playing their second Test, chipped in with two wickets each despite some wayward bowling throughout the day.
Watch the Australia v New Zealand Test Series on Kayo Sports. Every Test, ODI and T20I Live with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Marnus out for 1 in ROUGH 27-ball knock | 03:06
The Basin Reserve surface donned a healthy layer of grass on Thursday morning, so there were no surprises when Black Caps captain Tim Southee won the toss and chose to bowl first in overcast conditions.
Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith survived the first 90 minutes unscathed, combining for a patient 61-run partnership that featured several nervy moments. At one stage, Smith slipped while backpedaling in the middle of the pitch, desperately scrambling to make his ground at the non-striker’s end.
The hosts became desperate after the drinks break, reviewing an LBW shout against Khawaja that was comfortably sliding down leg. However, Henry unearthed the long-awaited breakthrough late in the morning session, with Smith fending in the channel and edging through to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for 31.
Smith’s departure sparked a dramatic collapse of 4-28 as New Zealand’s wreaked havoc after the lunch break. Black Caps quick Scott Kuggeleijn found Marnus Labuschagne’s outside edge for 1, with Daryl Mitchell swallowing a low chance at first slip, before Henry produced a gorgeous inswinger that hooped through the gate and crashed into Khawaja’s stumps, castled for 33.
Khawaja bamboozled by absolute PEACH | 00:45
Australia was suddenly in dire straits when Travis Head flashed at a wide delivery from young gun Will O’Rourke, feathering the ball through to Blundell for 1.
Marsh launched into a trademark counterpunch, forming a 67-run partnership Green to give the Australians something to celebrate at tea. However, the West Australian top-edged a pull shot against Henry after the break, with Blundell settling underneath the regulation chance.
Australia’s tail was exposed after wicketkeeper Alex Carey slapped a catch towards cover for 10 and Starc nicked off towards the slips cordon for 9. Captain Pat Cummins smoked a couple of sixes down the ground before part-time spinner Rachin Ravindra trapped him on the pads for 16.
Green continued chipping away, reaching his seventh Test fifty in 108 deliveries before former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson bottled a low catch at third slip, denying his skipper a wicket and handing Nathan Lyon an early reprieve. The missed chance didn’t prove too costly, however, with Henry dismissing Lyon caught behind a few minutes later for 5.
Source link
credite