NZ attack to get a look vs Oz

At the end of the third day of play in the first Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Basin Reserve, the latter was still 258 runs short of its intimidating 369-run win goal.

Following his maiden five-wicket haul in maiden-class cricket, spinner Glenn Phillips had earlier taken 5 for 45 as New Zealand claimed the last six wickets of Australia for an extra 37 runs, ending the tourists’ second innings on 164.

But the Black Caps’ batting wasn’t much easier. Will Young and Tom Latham, the openers, both went down cheaply, while Kane Williamson, the main man, was bowled by spinner Nathan Lyon with only nine runs scored.

On day four, Rachin Ravindra, who was 56 not out at stumps after reaching the half-century mark for the second time in his brief Test career, would continue unbeaten on 12 Daryl Mitchell in a partnership of 52 runs.

The 324 runs that New Zealand achieved in Christchurch in 1994 versus Pakistan were their most successful fourth-inning run chase to date. The 285 they scored to defeat Sri Lanka the previous year at Basin Reserve was their highest.

Australia’s off-spinner Lyon is expected to be crucial in helping the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, which culminates with the second Test beginning in Christchurch on Friday.

Lyon said, “Credit where credit is due—Rachin played very well there.” “But I’m confident that if we come in here, do our job, apply pressure, and persistently question their defense, we can eventually break through.”