Josh Hazlewood's impressive spell of 5-31 led Australia to dismiss New Zealand for 162 on the opening day of the second Test on March 8, overshadowing the milestone 100th Test matches for Kane Williamson and Tim Southee. Williamson contributed 17 runs before New Zealand's batting lineup fell apart, with Tom Latham scoring the highest at 38. Southee added 26 runs, forming a vital 55-run ninth-wicket stand with Matt Henry, who scored 29, marking the innings' top partnership.
Labuschagne holds Australia's fort after early jitters
At the end of the day, Australia was 124-4, trimming the gap to 38 runs. Marnus Labuschagne, overcoming a rough patch, was unbeaten on 45, and Nathan Lyon was with him on 1.
Early setbacks saw Australia at 32-2 following dismissals of Steve Smith (11) by Ben Sears in his Test debut and Usman Khawaja by Henry. Labuschagne and Cameron Green, who made a century in the first Test, added 49 runs before Green was caught out for 25 in the final hour.
Henry later took Travis Head's wicket when Australia's score was 107-4, ending the day with figures of 3-39. Nonetheless, Labuschagne's resilient performance put Australia in a favorable position by day's end.
Jazlewood roars with the bowl to frustrate Kiwis
Hazlewood's precise bowling, targeting just off the stump and swerving away, overwhelmed New Zealand's top-order batsmen. His 12th five-wicket haul in Tests included key dismissals such as Williamson, Latham, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Henry—the latter being the final wicket in the 46th over.
Mitchell Starc claimed the wickets of Will Young (14), Glenn Phillips (2), and Scott Kuggeleijn, who was out on his first ball. With Phillips' wicket, Starc moved ahead of Dennis Lillee's total of 356 Test wickets, achieving a notable Australian record.
Australian captain Pat Cummins opted to field first after winning the toss on a greenish pitch. An hour into the game, with New Zealand at 35-0 and Latham looking settled, Cummins may have had second thoughts about his decision.
Cummins deployed his three main seam bowlers and even handed the ball to spin bowler Nathan Lyon within the first 12 overs, yet the pitch at Hagley Oval didn't exhibit the vigor he had anticipated.
However, post the initial hour, the pitch started showing more promise, with Hazlewood particularly adept at extracting its benefits. He consistently delivered balls at a good length or fuller, targeting the middle to off stump line, making the ball seam away after it angled in, compelling the batsmen to play.
New Zealand's monumental batting collapse
This strategy proved effective against the bulk of New Zealand's top and middle order. Out of the first eight wickets New Zealand lost, seven were caught behind. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey notably secured five catches during the innings, with three off Hazlewood's bowling.
Hazlewood's precision in delivery and the ensuing commitment from the batsmen set the trap. However, batsmen could have avoided the risk by leaving balls of good length, which, on a pitch on its first day, were likely to bounce over the stumps.
The fuller deliveries presented a different challenge, not to be ignored, exemplified by Hazlewood's exceptional ball to Williamson. It angled in and hit him on the back pad after missing the inside edge, leading to a review from Williamson, who had already started to leave, only to see the decision upheld on the big screen.
Earlier, Williamson had received a standing ovation from a full house as he approached the crease following Young's dismissal with New Zealand at 47-0. His departure was met with a stark contrast of silence, as the reality set in among New Zealand fans that the Black Caps' batting was underperforming once again. Following scores of 179 and 196 in the first Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington, which resulted in a 172-run defeat, another sub-200 total seemed to steer New Zealand towards a series defeat.
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