Lyon wins big in Wellington, spinning Australia.

On the fourth morning of the series-opening Wellington Test. Australia easily won by 172 runs thanks to a six-wicket haul by Nathan Lyon in the second innings. His seventh century of wickets in a match.

After falling so far behind in the match, New Zealand displayed remarkable resiliency on the third day, even raising the prospect of an amazing comeback victory. However, in the end, Lyon was able to cement his influence on the game with the turn and bounce provided by the Basin Reserve pitch.

Nathan Lyon achievement extended the suffering for the hosts in Test matches against Australia. Whom they have only defeated once since 1993. It was the first 10-wicket match haul by a spinner in New Zealand since 2006.

Playing before a nearly full Sunday crowd. The hosts started the day slowly as they worked to get the required 258 runs . Pat Cummins changed his approach since Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell. This did not affect the overnight team, in the first thirty minutes. Australia positioned three fielders on the off-side. They persuaded Lyon to switch to the RA Vance bowling end in an attempt to contain the free-flowing Ravindra. It just took three balls for the move to pay off. As Ravindra was out for 59 after cutting a short ball straight to point.

That proved sufficient for the seasoned off-spinner to dismiss Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell. They struck twice more in the following four deliveries. The former had to make a defensive lunge, inside-edging his effort into his thigh pad and into short-leg’s clutches. In Lyon’s subsequent over, Phillips was trapped in his crease and outwitted by a quick turner that swerved to miss his flick and hit him in front of the stumps.

Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn offered some resistance for the hosts, and dashed their dreams  in two Lyon overs. But it was just a matter of time before Australia opened up one end. Cameron Green, the first innings centurion, misplayed a delivery off a fair length and kicked it up into Kuggeleijn, who could only glove it to the keeper.

After that, things swiftly came to an end when Lyon had the home captain misjudge a slog to long on, giving Josh Hazlewood two wickets. This was his sixth wicket. It concluded a very outstanding display from the visitors, who, despite being put in bat on a green-top on the opening morning, managed to get the upper hand and maintain it the entire way.