Despite a shaky start to the second innings, Australia is in control.

Australia‘s all-around performance on the second day gave them a firm grip on the inaugural Test in Wellington. On a day where 13 wickets fell, their bowlers supported Cameron Green 174* to take a commanding first innings advantage.

Australia amassed 104 runs for the last wicket on the swiftly paced second day, courtesy of a powerful partnership between Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green that bewildered the hosts. The pair made sure that Australia’s position had significantly improved from 176/6 at one stage during the innings.

As Australia amassed a big total on a green top, Green scored his greatest Test score. Matt Henry ended the innings and also scored a five-fer.

Their aggressive pace attack was now favored by the conditions, and they performed admirably. Before Kane Williamson clashed with partner Will Young and was run out for a duck, Mitchell Starc first castled Tom Latham. Three balls later, Hazlewood had Rachin Ravindra caught at cover for a blob as well, which made things much worse. After Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins dismissed Daryll Mitchell and Young off consecutive balls, 12/3 rapidly became 29/5.

After that, Tom Blundell and an irate Glenn Phillips carried out the repairs. Henry used his long grip to score 42, including four sixes during their 84-run partnership, which helped New Zealand avoid some embarrassing moments. Nathan Lyon, however, completed the excellent job that the Australian pacers had begun by destroying the opposition to claim a four-wicket haul. Australia has led the first innings by 204 runs as a result.

 

But the guests decided against enforcing the continuation. With New Zealand now striking first, the story took on yet another small turn. Tim Southee sacked both Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Australia was tied at two after the former chopped on an incoming delivery and the latter was strangled down the leg side.

Even though New Zealand had a chance to overtake Australia. Usman Khawaja and Nightwatch Lyon finished the day’s play with the team still well ahead.