New Zealand vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 1: Highlights
New Zealand versus Australia, 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights: At the close of play on Day 1 in Wellington, Australia finished on 279 for 9, with Cameron Green achieving an unbeaten century.
New Zealand is set to welcome Australia for a two-match Test series commencing on Thursday, February 29, at Basin Reserve in Wellington. This marks Australia’s return to Test cricket in New Zealand after an eight-year absence. For the Kiwis, it presents a chance to break a 31-year drought of Test victories against Australia on their home turf and extend their winning streak in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
New Zealand will be missing their key pacer Kyle Jamieson, but William O’Rourke, who debuted against South Africa, demonstrated his readiness for international cricket. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell will return, though Devon Conway is sidelined due to a finger injury. Meanwhile, Australia has confirmed their playing XI, retaining the same team that faced the West Indies. Despite a narrow loss at Gabba, Australia is expected to begin as favorites.
TEAMS :
New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc
SESSION SUMMARY – 132 runs, 32 overs and 5 wickets. It’s an advantage for Australia and thanks to Cameron Green’s special ton, the visitors have taken the honours on the opening day of the first Test. On a surface where run-scoring has been difficult, Green looked the part and seemed to be batting on a different surface to everyone else. Australia, inserted into bat under overcast conditions, relied on Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja to navigate the challenging first hour. Both batters demonstrated resilience, with Smith punishing loose deliveries and Khawaja gaining confidence after a shaky start. Despite losing Smith before Lunch, Australia established a solid foundation, with Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne partnering to prevent further setbacks. It was a far-from-ideal start for Australia in the second session. The visitors were dealt an early blow in the form of the tentative-looking Marnus Labsuchange before losing Khawaja and Travis Head in quick succession. Mitchell Marsh then took the attack to the opposition with Cameron Green to wrestle the initiative back in his side’s favor. However, he failed to kick on, and Alex Carey could not do much either, which put the Aussies on the back foot. Green carried on his merry way and forged stands with the tail to keep the scoreboard ticking. With nine wickets down, Green was left with no option but to go for big shots to get to his second Test ton and he brought it up in fine fashion in the last over of the day.