Australia’s star batsman Marnus Labuschagne scored his third consecutive Test century to put his team in a dominant position against New Zealand on the first day of the opening Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington. Labuschagne made 112 off 219 balls, with 12 fours and a six, as Australia reached 274 for 5 at stumps. He was well supported by Steve Smith (56) and Travis Head (34 not out), while New Zealand’s pacers Tim Southee (2 for 63) and Kyle Jamieson (2 for 69) shared four wickets.
Australia opt to bat first on a green pitch
Pat Cummins, who became Australia’s 47th Test captain after Aaron Finch was ruled out due to a knee injury, won the toss and decided to bat first on a green-tinged pitch. He said he wanted to make use of the hard surface and put some runs on the board. New Zealand, who were without their regular skipper Kane Williamson and senior pacer Trent Boult due to injuries, handed Test debuts to opener Will Young and fast bowler Kyle Jamieson. Tom Latham led the side in Williamson’s absence.
New Zealand strike early to reduce Australia to 35 for 2
New Zealand’s new-ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult made good use of the swing and seam conditions to trouble the Australian openers. Southee struck in the fifth over, when he had Usman Khawaja caught behind for 8. Khawaja, who was recalled to the side after a long gap, failed to make an impact. Boult then removed Cameron Green for 12, when he edged a full delivery to second slip, where Ross Taylor took a sharp catch. Australia were reduced to 35 for 2 in the 13th over.
Labuschagne and Smith rebuild with a 113-run stand
Australia’s most reliable batsmen, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, then joined forces to steady the innings. They played cautiously at first, leaving the good deliveries and punishing the bad ones. Labuschagne was the more aggressive of the two, while Smith was content to play the anchor role. They brought up their 50-run partnership in the 28th over, and then accelerated the scoring rate after lunch. Labuschagne reached his half-century in the 38th over, with a boundary off Jamieson. Smith followed suit in the 46th over, with a single off Southee. They took Australia past 100 and then 150, as they looked set for a big partnership.
New Zealand fight back with three wickets in the final session
New Zealand, however, did not give up and came back strongly in the final session. They broke the Labuschagne-Smith stand, when Jamieson trapped Smith lbw for 56. Smith reviewed the decision, but the ball was clipping the top of leg stump. Jamieson then struck again in his next over, when he had Mitchell Marsh caught at gully for 4. Marsh, who was playing his first Test since 2019, could not make an impression. Labuschagne, meanwhile, continued his sublime form and reached his century in the 67th over, with a single off Southee. He became the first Australian to score three consecutive Test hundreds since Steve Smith in 2017. He also joined an elite list of batsmen who have scored centuries in three or more successive Tests against New Zealand, which includes Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting and Virat Kohli. Labuschagne, however, could not carry on for much longer, as he fell to Southee in the 73rd over. He edged a good length ball to the keeper, ending his brilliant knock of 112. Australia were reduced to 248 for 5, losing three wickets for 29 runs.
Head and Carey see off the day without further damage
Australia’s lower middle-order then showed some resilience, as Travis Head and Alex Carey batted out the remaining overs without any trouble. Head, who was dropped on 18 by Latham off Neil Wagner, played some confident strokes and remained unbeaten on 34. Carey, who was making his Test debut, was solid in defence and finished on 14 not out. They added 26 runs for the sixth wicket, and took Australia to 274 for 5 at the close of play. Australia will hope to extend their lead on the second day, while New Zealand will look to wrap up the innings quickly and get their batsmen in.
