CHRISTCHURCH: Seamer Josh Hazlewood spearheaded an aggressive Australian pace onslaught that resulted in New Zealand crumbling to 162 all out by tea on the opening day of the second Test in Christchurch on Friday.
Hazlewood notched remarkable figures of 5-31, while Mitchell Starc contributed with 3-59 as Australia, with an unchanged lineup, aimed to clinch a clean sweep in the two-Test series.
The New Zealand innings received a boost from a resilient 55-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Matt Henry (29) and Tim Southee (26).
Australia anticipated an early breakthrough after captain Pat Cummins elected to bowl first on a green-tinged surface, but New Zealand’s opening pair of Tom Latham and Will Young showed resilience.
Their steadfast resistance propelled New Zealand to 47 in the initial 90 minutes before Young was dismissed for 14, triggering a collapse.
Latham departed for 38, followed by Rachin Ravindra for four, just before lunch, as New Zealand slipped to 79 for three, losing five wickets for a mere 28 runs.
Despite a warm reception for Kane Williamson on his milestone 100th Test appearance, the key batsman managed only 17 before falling victim to Hazlewood’s lbw trap.
Hazlewood also accounted for Latham and Daryl Mitchell (four), both caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, in addition to Ravindra caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip.
The impressive Carey claimed five catches, including Tom Blundell (22) off Cameron Green and Glenn Phillips (two) off Starc, who subsequently dismissed Scott Kuggeleijn lbw with his next delivery.
Hazlewood further contributed to the spectacle by catching Southee to provide Cummins with a wicket, eventually wrapping up the innings by having Henry caught behind in the subsequent over.
