Black Caps sniffing rare test win over Australia after late bowling blitz
Sunday, 10 March 2024
New Zealand sniffing first test win over Australia at home in 31 years after dream day three at Hagley.
Matt Henry and Ben Sears both strike twice in final session with ball.
Australia require another 202 runs to win the test with six wickets left.
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch, day three: New Zealand 162 and 372 in 108.2 overs (Rachin Ravindra 82, Tom Latham 73, Daryl Mitchell 58, Kane Williamson 51, Scott Kuggeleijn 44; Pat Cummins 4-62, Nathan Lyon 3-49) met Australia 256 and 77-4 in 24 overs.
The Black Caps have given themselves a royal chance to end 31 years of test hurt at home to Australia.
New Zealand enjoyed a day three for the ages at Hagley Oval on Sunday to put them in a commanding position for a rare test win over Australia.
As Semisonic’s hit tune Closing Time blasted out over the ground speakers with 40 minutes left in the day’s play, it felt apt with Australia 38-4.
The last time New Zealand beat Australia in a test at home (March 1993 at Eden Park) most of this playing XI were either in nappies or not born. New Zealand have won just eight of the 62 tests in history against their trans-Tasman rival.
At stumps, Australia were 77-4, needing a further 202 runs to pull off victory and a 2-0 series sweep. New Zealand will likely have to do it a bowler down too with Scott Kuggeleijn not bowling in the second innings with a foot issue.
With Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head at the crease, Australia will still fancy their chances of a fightback win. New Zealand cricket fans will know they’ve been burned too many times to remember in powerful positions against the old foe over the years.
Set 279 to win, New Zealand made a dream start with the ball late in the day with Steve Smith’s horrible series continuing and Marnus Labuschagne also falling cheaply.
Henry picked up his eighth wicket for the test, trapping Smith in front for nine.
Smith will be eager to jump on the plane and head home after a woeful series, contributing just 51 runs from four innings at an average of 12.75 and a highest score of 31.
Debutant Ben Sears thought he had Labuschagne with his second ball, but he was shelled at first slip by Daryl Mitchell, his second drop of the test.
Sears was elated when two balls later he held onto a leading edge from Labuschagne on his follow through. He had another when first test century-maker Cameron Green dragged onto his stumps.
Australia were in strife at 30-3 after Henry struck again with Tim Southee pulling in a ripper, one-handed diving to his left at third slip, to send Usman Khawaja on his way.
Late in the day, the Hagley faithful were clapping and cheering loudly while a couple of loud mouths bellowed “You’re so quiet” at the Australian batters. New Zealand were well on top and sticking it to big brother from across the ditch.
New Zealand enjoyed a pleasing day with the bat, adding a further 238 runs after starting the day at 134-2.
Having fallen to 296-6 (a lead of 202), New Zealand’s lower order could have easily crumbled.
New Zealand needed to stand up with the bat in their second dig after being rolled for under 200 in all three previous innings in the series.
With the test effectively on the line, they did just that, reaching the 300 mark for the first time in 10 innings against Australia.
Ravindra (82) and Mitchell (58) anchored New Zealand’s batting on Sunday with the pair teaming up for the second century stand of the innings.
It was some partnership from the duo, who played positively and were able to score freely.
They refused to let offspinner Nathan Lyon settle, while also frustrating the Australian quicks.
Ravindra and Mitchell added 88 runs together before lunch from just 137 balls, ticking over the runs.
The second new ball was always going to be pivotal for Australia and that’s how it played out.
With Ravindra and Mitchell established and seeking to further extend New Zealand’s lead, Australia struck back.
Josh Hazlewood has been on another level for Australia in this test with the ball and again made something happen. Mitchell hit Hazlewood for back-to-back fours, but the bowler won the battle drawing an edge through to Alex Carey.
Australia had two wickets in 16 balls, removing the other set batter, Ravindra.
Pat Cummins brought himself back into the attack and for the second time in the innings struck with the first ball of his spell.
As he did on day two, dismissing Kane Williamson, Cummins had an instant impact, attracting a faint edge from Ravindra into Carey’s gloves.
When Tom Blundell fell to a diving Labuschagne at cover, New Zealand had slumped from 278-3 to 296-6, losing 3-18.
Australia were suddenly smelling blood with the lead at 202 and four wickets to go.
Kuggeleijn and Glenn Phillips teamed up a critical 53-run seventh wicket stand from just 72 balls.
Kuggeleijn clubbed two sixes, smacking Green over cow corner, then deposited Mitchell Starc into the crowd.
He was the last wicket to fall, held at deep midwicket, with New Zealand losing their last three wickets for one run.
Tom Latham’s impressive 73 ended six overs into the day’s play with Australia producing a cracking review after he was given not out on field.
Ultra edge showed a tiny spike and he was sent on his way with Hazlewood again producing the big breakthrough.
Australia were sitting pretty when Blundell departed, leaving New Zealand 296-6 with the lead at 202.
Kuggeleijn and Phillips put the pressure back on with their destructive hitting.
Their 53-run partnership could prove a key chapter in the tale come the test’s conclusion.