Australia 124/4 at stumps of Day 1 after all out New Zealand for 162
2024.03.08
At Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, the much awaited second Test between Australia and New Zealand got underway, providing cricket fans everywhere with an exciting day of cricket. Australia gained the early upper hand in the struggle for domination, using their potent bowling attack to limit the hosts to a meager 162 in the first innings.
As the best bowler from New Zealand, Matt Henry made an instant impression on the first day of play. The right-armer bowled 13 overs, giving up 39 runs (four maidens) and taking three wickets.
Henry was bowling brilliantly when he got rid of Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Usman Khawaja, among other big-name hitters. With a spectacular delivery, he removed the centurion from the previous Test, and his removal of Green in particular garnered a lot of attention.
The crucial delivery came from Henry on the last ball of Australia’s 27th over, a somewhat fuller delivery that swung back in sharply. Caught in his crease, Green could not see the movement coming and as a result, the ball slipped between the bat and the pad and broke the stumps. Henry let loose with a full-blown celebration following the dismissal, displaying his excitement and adrenaline at winning Green’s coveted scalp.
Even though opener Tom Latham got off to a good start, New Zealand struggled against Australia’s well-organized bowling attack, losing wickets frequently. After Latham was removed, the team collapsed, reducing them to 84/5. However, a valiant effort by Henry and Tim Southee towards the end of the innings allowed the team to finish with 162 runs.
In response, Australia batted cautiously through a challenging phase, led by a strong partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Green. But Henry’s heroics with the ball stopped Australia’s progress once more. At day’s end, Australia was 124/4, 38 runs behind New Zealand.
Australia 124 for 4 (Labuschagne 45*, Lyon 1*) trail New Zealand 162 (Latham 38, Hazlewood 5-31, Starc 3-59) by 38 runs
@charith
