When Nathan Lyon was taken out of the attack after just two overs on the fourth morning in Wellington, New Zealand, as far off as their target of 369 remained, would have been forgiven for thinking the momentum was theirs.
Instead, the Australian off-spinner instantly returned at the other end, the source of the majority of his wickets on a turning Basin Reserve surface this Test, promptly taking two wickets in the over to all but snuff out any remaining Black Cap hopes of a come-from-behind win.
Half-centurion Rachin Ravindra top-edged a cut to Cameron Green at point, surprised by extra bounce; three balls later, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell gave catching practice to Travis Head under the helmet at short leg. And like that, the Test was in Australia’s keeping.
Starting the day with two of New Zealand’s three wickets to fall on Day 3, Lyon would finish with six in total – his two early scalps part of a run of three in eight balls that ended with Glenn Phillips being trapped plumb LBW – in his latest dominant fourth-innings performance, to steer the visitors to an eventually commanding 172-run victory, a 1-0 series lead over the Black Caps, and a seventh consecutive Test triumph over their Trans-Tasman rivals.
The result was a second consecutive sub-200 score for the hosts, whose inability to perform at their usual excellence whenever Australia comes calling is now reaching disastrous proportions.
Speaking after the match, a delighted captain Pat Cummins was adamant that Black Caps can’t be underestimated despite the emphatic win, ahead of the second Test in Christchurch.
“It was a really good game overall – it never felt like we were too far in front on that wicket,” Cummins said.
“No matter what format, they’ve [New Zealand] got a heap of match-winners who on their day can take the game away from you.
“Next week, a couple of them play their 100th Test as well, so can’t take them too lightly.”
That such a comprehensive win was achieved despite a still-misfiring batting order, Cameron Green’s wonderful match-defining 174 excepted, is a testament to yet another outstanding display from an Australian bowling attack which must surely now be considered the best in the world, of which Lyon, whose 10-wicket haul for the match is a record for a spin bowler at Wellington, is perhaps the most crucial cog of all.
“Garry bowled beautifully on the last day. He’s always under pressure in the fourth innings and he always seems to stand up and perform,” player of the match Green said of Lyon’s heroics in the immediate aftermath.
A pair of late wickets to Josh Hazlewood, including a simple return catch to remove last man standing Daryl Mitchell and complete the match, rounded things out for Australia, with Green capping a career-best match with a sharply rising ball that saw tailender Scott Kuggeleijn’s resistance ended as a desperate fend presented Alex Carey with an easy catch.
Mitchell’s 38, plus some free swinging from Kuggeleijn (26) and Matt Henry (14) was the sum of the Black Caps’ resistance, with their worrying trend of losing wickets in large clumps continuing.
Three wickets fell for just two runs early on as Lyon turned the screws, while the final three added just nine runs as Hazlewood wrapped up the tail.
Lusty blows from Henry and captain Tim Southee couldn’t even come close to denting the off-spinner’s figures, with the latter holing out soon after for 7.
Speaking after the match, the Black Caps skipper said the team would take a few days to ‘reflect’ on the loss before steeling themselves for the second Test at Hagley Oval.
“We’ll debrief it, and move to a different ground, a ground that we’ve had a lot of success at,” he said.
“We have a couple of days here to reflect on this week.”
The Black Caps will likely need to make at least one change for the match, with fast bowler Will O’Rourke in doubt with hamstring tightness.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Dave all very true . Lyon should not bowl at scg against India he's been done over twice there in a row for huge runs. Pant and Jadeja ripped him and starc apart to change the tide of the match quickly . Id look long and hard at a decent rotated seam attack at SCG. That said pant has not been able to play since his car crash and jadeja is getting a little older . They have some new batting talent though . I think this summer may provide Aus with a false sense of security going in to the Indian visit next summer as they are a different class to the windies and Pakistan
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Jeff I just think they (AusA) should play the month before tour in India . No way they could go every year of course . They will never win in India without good lead up fixtures and Aussie spinner experience . Also the batsman need a warm up there for sure. We got caught out cold last series early on there for me
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Corey Rocchiocolli took eight for the match. On bouncier wickets, he’s the best in the Shield. Swepson and Murphy also-rans. And he has as many wickets as Mitch and Todd combined!
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
They did Pierro, and as Gordon points out below, their spinners outperformed Lyon, especially in the 2020-21 series.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Inglis took two catches,one difficult, one easy. He is being outcaught by Bancroft...
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
Gee you are a hard selector. Bancroft has been head and shoulders above anyone in the shield for the past 3 seasons and he fails in the shield and he is out? Have you seen Renshaw's performances in the shield this year? Labs could get 4 ducks in a row and would still be in the test team because the reserve batsmen (apart from Bancroft) are the most ordinary for years.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Good enough to beat Australia in Australia twice. Granted to first of those series wins was marred by the loss of Smith, etc, but they beat us fair & square in 2020/21 and beat us easily 12 months ago at their place. You're right, they weren't that great in Australia but still good enough to take the series.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Ashwin averaged 28.5 in that 2020/21 series and clearly outbowled the GOAT who took less wickets and a much higher average (over 55). You're right, he's been dropped for SA but that's more about the pitches which clearly favour a seam attack with one spinner who can also bat (Jadeja). Jadeja's also played only one series in England and I think only 2 or 3 Tests in New Zealand so tough to make too much from his performances on such a small number of matches. I think the overall versatility of the Indian attack is what impresses me at the moment. That said, they're not getting any younger, so whether they're a better attack in 9 months is another matter entirely.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
No, I think the A side hosted NZ A in Qld last year. But typically they get to the subcontinent every 2nd year. Logistically/scheduling, can't go to the subcontinent every year.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Very true Dave on matches played but what makes them so special is there averages have held up so well . Usually averages diminish as bowlers hit early 30s , cummins hazel wood and Lyon in particular have outstanding averages really and have played a lot of Indian cricket too which others on that list escaped , subcontinent cricket is generally not good for Australian averages it drives the bowlers average up so this quartet is pretty special
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Intersting I just noted rocchios numbers this weekend. Ive not seen him play. Problem is it seems bounce in Aus limits great subcontinent spin training. Lyon uses bounce so effectively but on subscontinent the spin often skids more with pace . SCG isn't really a spinners pitch with bounce any more its why Lyons average is so poor there and arguably shouldn't play at that ground where he can get taken for a lot of runs quickly by decent cricket teams
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Dont think we got a subcontinent A tour last year though did we? It cost us a little bit for me in the tests
Micko
Roar Rookie
NZ don't support spinners 13th Man. Had a guy (Ajaz Patel) who got ten wickets in an innings...then won't back him! :shocked:
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Santner would have been better then both of them. Or even Conway to sure up the batting if Phillips and Ravindra are your 4th bowler.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
The spotlight will rightly go onto Marnus, and less so Head, but I really think the one person that is flying under the radar is Carey - he is batting poorly, luckily his keeping is very sound, but Inglis just made another Shield hundred. There must soon be some pressure on Carey keeping his spot too..
13th Man
Roar Rookie
A couple of the NZ selections were bizzare – the wicket turned significantly, more than it will in Christchurch yet they went without a front line spinner. Phillips bowled well but it was telling. Kuggeleijn is a very ordinary player, who is 32 years old himself, what is the point of denying Wagner a farewell test to play him instead? You can’t convince me Wagner wouldn’t have given NZ more, he’s just all heart and soul.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
He levered him out,you mean?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Not just that. Starc has equalled Lillee for wickets,in a lot more tests. Lillee is better by any metric: era, pitches, overseas wickets/innings, opposition etc. When Starc finishes up, he'll have more wickets, that is all.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Rocchiocolli leads all spinners this season. And fifth overall. Heaps at the WACA. Also bats ... A little. Swepson and Murphy a long long way behind
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Actually I should have said might be ahead or equal with them.