NZ VS AUS 1ST TEST

Right then, Australia have drawn the first blood to take an unassailable lead in the two-match Test series. With this convincing win, the Aussies have successfully retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy and will eye a clean sweep now. On the other hand, New Zealand had their fair share of moments in the game, and there were plenty of positives to take forward as they look to end the series on level terms. The battle between these two Trans-Tasman rivals resumes with the second Test on Friday, 8th of March at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The first ball will be bowled at 3.30 am IST (10 pm GMT, the previous day) but as always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Cameron Green is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar 174-run knock in the first inning, which bailed Australia out of trouble and, in the end, proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Time for the presentation ceremony....

Earlier in the game, after being inserted into bat under overcast conditions, Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja provided stability early on, but Australia faced setbacks, losing Smith before Lunch. After a slow start, New Zealand's bowlers improved their discipline, claiming three wickets in the second session. Mitchell Marsh joined Cameron Green to regain momentum, but their partnership was short-lived. Green, with support from the tail, reached his century in the final over of the day, ensuring Australia ended on a high note despite losing wickets towards the end.

New Zealand endured a frustrating start to Day 2, as their hopes of limiting Australia's total were dashed by Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood's resilient batting. Green got to 150, and thanks to a record 116-run last wicket stand, Australia posted 383 on the board. With the bat, the hosts struggled to forge impactful partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite a counter-attack from Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell after Tea, Nathan Lyon's breakthroughs helped Australia secure a substantial first-inning lead of 204 runs. Southee's late contributions offered some consolation for New Zealand, but they ended the day facing an uphill battle.

Australia began the third day positively, with Nathan Lyon capitalising on his luck from the previous day before Travis Head and Cameron Green consolidated the innings. The second session of the 'Moving Day' witnessed a stunning turnaround as Glenn Phillips led a spirited bowling performance, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul. Australia went down in a hurry, losing their last six wickets for just 37 runs to be bowled out for 164. In their pursuit of 369 runs for victory, New Zealand faced early setbacks but found stability through Will Young and Rachin Ravindra's partnership. Despite Daryl Mitchell's tentative start, Ravindra's solid fifty ensured New Zealand ended the day, needing 258 more runs with two days left in the game.

Starting the day needing 258 more runs for the win, New Zealand needed to see off the first hour without losing any wickets. It was a steady start to the morning session, as Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra applied themselves well. However, just as both batters looked to be settling in, Rachin perished. Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips could not replicate their heroics from the first inning, and it all fell apart for the Kiwis in real quick time. Scott Kuggeleijn and Matt Henry did not shy away from a fight, but they could not hang around for long. Amidst all this, Daryl Mitchell was left searching for partners, and by then, it was more about survival than anything else. Tim Southee tried to take Lyon on but could not succeed, leaving Mitchell to shield William O'Rourke for as long as he could. Mitchell was left with no other option but to wield his willow and he was the last to get out, resulting in New Zealand being bowled out in just over a session's play.

As far as Australia are concerned, they relied heavily on their ace off-spinner Nathan Lyon in their hunt for the remaining seven wickets. Having struggled a bit in the morning to hit his stride, it all fell into place for Lyon as soon as he swapped ends. Having enjoyed the most success from that end, Lyon went bang, bang, in a single over before going on to make Glenn Phillips his fifth victim. It did not take long for Cameron Green and Josh Hazelwood to get involved with the ball and got Australia closer to the win. Lyon then went on to nip Tim Southee in the bud before Hazlewood completed the formalities. Nathan Lyon took 6 wickets in the second inning to finish with 10 wickets in the game, the 5th instance of him taking 10 wickets or more in a Test and the best figures by a spinner at the Cello Basin Reserve. Josh Hazlewood accounted for a couple of wickets, while Travis Head and Cameron Green took one wicket each.

AUSTRALIA GO 1-0 UP IN THE SERIES! A dominant performance with the ball on the fourth morning sees them win the first Test by 172 runs. Nathan Lyon was the highlight for them with the 24th five-wicket haul of his Test career, while the rest of the bowling unit played their part too. As for New Zealand, it has been a meek collapse for them, losing their last 7 wickets for 70 runs. It all went downhill for the hosts with the departure of Rachin Ravindra, and the relentless Aussie bowling attack proved to be just too good for them.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That's it, Australia win by 172 runs and get an unassailable lead in the series going 1-0 ahead. Hazlewood bangs it just short of a length over off, at 135.9 kph, Daryl Mitchell goes for the big pull but is a bit too late on it. The ball comes off the upper half of the bat and loops straight up towards Josh Hazlewood who in his follow-through gets ahead and takes the easiest of catches to wrap things up.

Drops the length and hits the deck hard over off, Daryl Mitchell nails the pull straight to the fielder at deep square leg.

On a length, on off, Daryl Mitchell punches it to deep point.

That's almost a run but not a run! Bowls it on a length around off, Daryl Mitchell tucks it in front of deep backward point and both batters set off for the run. They cross each other midway and then decide to withdraw the run as they scamper back.

Goes fuller and into middle and off, William O'Rourke blocks it nicely to the on side.

With the field all in, Lyon tosses it up on middle and off, William O'Rourke blocks it well to short leg.

A tad shorter on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell rocks back and tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

On a fuller length and around middle, Daryl Mitchell tucks it to backward short leg.

Shorter and wider on off, Daryl Mitchell gets closer and clips it to short leg.