Australia has retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy after veteran spinner Nathan Lyon guided the tourists towards a crushing 172-run victory in Wellington.
Chasing a 369-run target for an unlikely victory at the Basin Reserve, the Black Caps were rolled for 196 as Lyon claimed 6-66 in a damaging spell on a turning deck.
The Trans-Tasman Trophy will remain in Australia’s grasp for another few years, with New Zealand failing to win back the trophy for a 13th consecutive series, dating back to 1993.
The second Test between New Zealand and Australia gets underway at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Friday.
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Khawaja removes dove from new bat | 00:44
STEVE SMITH — 4
31 and 0
The Australian vice-captain soaked up 71 deliveries on day one of the Wellington Test, forming a crucial 61-run partnership with fellow opener Usman Khawaja in overcast conditions before nicking off before the lunch break.
However, Smith won’t want to watch replays of his second-innings dismissal, lazily flashing at a wide delivery and chopping back onto his stumps for a third-ball duck.
The New South Welshman also held onto a couple of superb catches at first slip late on day three.
Final ball leaves Lyon’s wicket BEGGING | 00:28
USMAN KHAWAJA — 6
33 and 28
Khawaja made a start in both innings but couldn’t convert into substantial scores on either occasion.
The Queenslander copped a gorgeous inswinger from Kiwi quick Matt Henry on day one, but he only has himself to blame for his second-innings dismissal, stumped after recklessly charging down the deck at spinner Glenn Phillips.
Khawaja bamboozled by absolute PEACH | 00:45
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 2
1 and 2
Labuschagne’s batting woes have resumed in Wellington.
The Queenslander has never scored fewer runs in a Test match when batting in both innings, nicking towards the slips cordon on day one before strangling a wayward delivery down the leg side on Friday evening.
However, his run out of New Zealand champion Kane Williamson was a crucial moment in the match.
Marnus out for 1 in ROUGH 27-ball knock | 03:06
CAMERON GREEN — 10
174* and 34, 1-16
Australia’s hero in the series opener, Green clobbered a career-best century in the first innings to set the platform for Australia’s victory in Wellington.
None of his teammates passed 41 at the Basin Reserve, with the West Australian proving he is more than capable of occupying the No. 4 spot.
Green also contributed with the ball on Sunday morning, removing Scott Kuggeleijn with a nasty riser.
Cam Green saves on the first day in NZ | 03:46
TRAVIS HEAD — 3
1 and 29, 1-10
Head threw his wicket away in both innings of the Wellington Test, poking at a wide delivery on day one before holing out towards long off in the second innings.
However, the South Australian held onto a couple of smart grabs at short leg, also snaring the wicket of Black Caps opener Will Young on day three.
MITCHELL MARSH — 6
40 and 0, 1-10
Marsh’s counterpunching cameo in the first innings briefly swung momentum back in Australia’s favour after an early collapse.
However, the West Australian will be disappointed with his soft dismissal on day three, departing for a golden duck after fending the Kookaburra towards bat-pad.
Marsh also snared the wicket of New Zealand opener Will Young on Friday, albeit not with his best delivery.
ALEX CAREY — 4
10 and 33, four catches
Carey was, as per usual, tidy with the gloves in Wellington, but his twin dismissals left a lot to be desired.
In both innings, the South Australian fell cheaply after slapping a wide delivery directly towards catching cover.
MITCHELL STARC — 5
1-34 and 0-29
Starc didn’t have much of an impact in Wellington after snaring Australia’s first wicket of the match, with the spinners dominating proceedings at the Basin Reserve this week.
He is one scalp away from equalling the legendary Dennis Lillee on Australia’s all-time Test wicket tally.
PAT CUMMINS — 6
1-33 and 0-40
Cummins’ most valuable contribution during the Wellington Test was his captaincy. Bringing on Travis Head on day three and swapping ends for Nathan Lyon the following morning were tactical masterstrokes that helped Australia knock over the Kiwis in the fourth innings.
The Australian skipper also removed Daryl Mitchell on Friday, finding the New Zealander’s outside edge during a frantic collapse.
NATHAN LYON — 9
4-43 and 6-65
Lyon starred with bat and ball in Wellington this week, top-scoring for the Australians in the second innings and taking ten wickets on a turning deck at the Basin Reserve.
The nightwatcher notched 41, the second-highest score of his Test career, on day three before steaming through New Zealand’s middle order the following morning, securing the 24th five-wicket haul of his Test career.
However, the veteran off-spinner produced plenty of sloppy half-trackers throughout the match, particularly in the second innings.
GOAT runs riot to prompt mini collapse | 02:13
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 8
2-55 and 2-20
Hazlewood, the all-rounder?
The Bendemeer Bullet combined with centurion Cameron Green for a record-breaking 116-run stand for the tenth wicket in the first innings, the highest partnership of the match.
The New South Welshman notched 22, his highest Test score in eight years, to frustrate New Zealand’s bowlers on Friday morning.
Hazlewood was also the most accurate of Australia’s bowlers in Wellington, removing rising star Rachin Ravindra for a duck in the second innings.
Umpires BAFFLED by fake runs | 00:57
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