Leaders Online Desk: Australia have tightened their grip on the match on the second day of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand in Wellington. After Australia scored 383 in the first innings, New Zealand were bowled out for just 179 in reply. After that, Australia scored 13 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the second innings and the team's lead reached 217 runs. Usman Khawaja (5*) and Nathan Lyon (6*) are currently unbeaten.
Australia opened the second day with a score of 279 for 9. Cameron Green (174*) and Josh Hazlewood (22) put on a 116-run partnership for the last wicket. Matt Henry ends Australia's first innings with Josh Hazlewood caught by Rachin Ravindrakar. Green hit 23 fours and 5 sixes in 275 balls. The Kiwis had to fight hard to take the last wicket of the Kangaroos. Green and Hazlewood became the fourth highest 10th wicket partnership in Australian Test history. He surpassed the record of 114 runs held by Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie in 2004. Matt Henry was the top wicket taker for New Zealand with 5 wickets. William O'Rourke and Scott Kuzelgin took two wickets each. One wicket came to Rachin Ravindra's account.
Williamson was run out for the third time in a Test
New Zealand's first innings started badly. Mitchell Starc clean bowled Tom Latham (5) in the fifth over. Kane Williamson was unfortunately run out on the last ball of this over. Williamson could not even open an account. After playing a shot at mid-off against Starc, Williamson left the crease to run. But he went ahead and bumped into Will Young. At the same time, Labuschagne, who was fielding at mid-off, bowled the ball towards the non-strike end and hit the stumps. With this, Williamson was run out. Williamson was run out in a Test after 12 years. The last time it happened was against Zimbabwe in January 2021. He has been run out for the third time in Tests.
Four wickets from Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood dismissed Rachin Ravindra to give New Zealand their third blow. Ravindra could not even open an account. Nathan Lye takes his catch. New Zealand lost five wickets for just 29 runs. Glenn Phillips (71) and Matt Henry (42) dealt with the Australian bowlers to some extent, but other batsmen disappointed. New Zealand's innings ended on 179 runs in 43.1 overs. Nathan Lyon took the most wickets for Australia with four wickets. Josh Hazlewood got two wickets. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh managed to take one wicket each.
Two big blows to the Kangaroos in the second innings
Australia's second innings got off to a poor start after dismissing New Zealand cheaply. On the third ball of the first over, Kiwi captain Tim Southee clean bowled Steve Smith. He then had Marnus Labuchen (2) caught by Tom Blundell in the fifth over. On the third day of the match, the hosts New Zealand will try to send the visiting Australia batsmen to the tent quickly. But in the current situation, Australia is said to be a strong contender to win the Test.
Walsh's record was broken
Lion broke the record of former West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh. Walsh took 519 wickets in 2001. As Lion took three wickets in the match, he overtook Walsh. Now he has 521 wickets to his name.
Top 3 bowlers with most Test wickets for Australia
Shane Warne : 708
Glenn McGrath : 563
Nathan Lyon : 521
