Image Credit- AFP
Despite a thrilling
comeback from New Zealand on the third day, Nathan Lyon outmanoeuvred Kane
Williamson and threatened on a sharply changing Basin Reserve surface, keeping
Australia in the driver’s seat for their maiden Test triumph.
Pursuing 369, New Zealand reached stumps at 111 for 3, thanks to a half-century
of unbroken partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, who
weathered difficult conditions. They collected 2 for 27 from 16 overs, defying
Lyon, the bowler who was always a threat.
Ravindra combined
aggression with defence, as demonstrated when, late in the day’s play, he
massively sixed Travis Head’s offspin. He hit a short delivery from Mitchell
Starc to the leg-side boundary to reach his fifty off 77 balls.
Ravindra did face a few nervous moments, including a Lyon leg-before-waist
appeal that Australia was unable to properly review, but he survived to offer
New Zealand hope of pulling off an incredible triumph. Mitchell restrained his
natural aggression in light of the challenging circumstances, finishing 12 not
out from 63 balls.
Australia lost 6 for
37 at home to New Zealand, and Glenn Phillips became the first spinner to take
five wickets at home since Jeetan Patel in 2008. That was the beginning of New
Zealand’s comeback. Australia was bowled out for 164, their sixth-lowest score
in Test cricket against New Zealand, as he finished with 5 for 45 from 16
overs.
However, New Zealand’s pursuit got off to a bad start when, just before tea,
opener Tom Latham gave Lyon a wicket by nicking off a short and wide pitch.
When Williamson delivered his first ball, Lyon, who came into the attack in the
sixth over, had a massive caught behind appeal rejected, and Australia
attempted an unsuccessful review.
Williamson, who had
switched to around the wicket and had a leg slip at his disposal, made a
statement by getting into a pair of rare short deliveries from Lyon. When
Williamson inside edged into the safe hands of Steven Smith at leg slip, he was
caught in the trap by Lyon’s delivery, which pitched on middle and
straightened.
Williamson was clearly frustrated with himself after an uncommon double
failure, as his modest career mark against Australia dropped to 37.26 from a
total of 55.25.
Captain Pat Cummins
resorted to Head when the spin was spitting off the surface, and it turned out
to be a wise move as his third delivery removed opener Will Young, who played
pointlessly and edged to slip where Smith completed a magnificent one-handed catch.
Australia maintained their confidence despite a meltdown in the middle session
that broke their control, thanks to Lyon’s effort.