Nathan Ryan toured Australia to win the first Test and retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy, but New Zealand faltered in the second innings at the Basin Reserve.
Australia won the Test by 172 runs in a match that will be remembered for Cameron Green’s unbeaten innings of 174 innings in the first innings, a breakthrough performance from the youngster as he looks to cement his place in fourth place.
Green was the only man to live for 100 years in Wellington, where New Zealand were suffocated on home soil by a Lyon-led Australian attack.
The Black Caps, who started the fourth day with a 111-3 record and trailing for 369 points, insisted that they could complete their record-breaking four-game chase even if the odds were against them.
Instead, they collapsed, losing 85-7 as Lyon tallied their fourth 10-wicket Test, finishing their second innings at 65 for 6.
The results were evident from the moment Ryan swapped his buns end for a bowl into the wind.
The 36-year-old had three victims in his first 10 deliveries from the scoreboard end, starting with the crucial wicket of Rachin Ravindra.
Ravindra started at the age of 56 and fans were hoping for a challenging century that would justify his status as New Zealand’s rising star and move the team closer to their first Test win at home against Australia in 31 years.
He had just seven balls against Lyon and then fell into Australia’s cleverly laid trap, trying to play wide and short, only to spoon his shot onto the green at point and score 59.
Ryan struck out again three pitches later, retiring new batter Tom Blundell (Duck) in the same manner as in the first inning. He tried to flick the foot-side ball off his pads but was caught after an inside edge.
In the next over, Ryan recorded the 24th five-wicket innings of his career, ahead of Dennis Lilley on 23. He deceived Glenn Phillips with a flying shot and the Kiwi dangerman was caught in front as he tried to defend a fast ball.
The Black Caps, with their tails exposed, were in no mood to hang around, with Scott Kuggelein (26), Matt Henry (14) and Tim Southee (7) all sent off while trying to score. Ta.
Will O’Rourke, who withdrew from bowling on Saturday due to a hamstring strain, took to the bat and watched as Daryl Mitchell (38) fell on the last wicket and was caught and bowled by Hazlewood.
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The match moved on to the second day, with Green and Hazlewood scoring 116 runs in a 10-wicket stand, taking Australia’s total score to 383, but New Zealand were dismissed for 179 that afternoon.
Among the Black Caps, two players in particular deserve praise. Glenn Phillips scored 71 runs in the first innings and played the best of his career with the ball, leading at 5 for 45 as Australia scored just 164 in the second innings. And paceman Matt Henry. I took 5-70 and 3-36.
The congested international schedule only allows for two Test series, so a win for Australia means they cannot lose the series and retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
The next Test against New Zealand’s arch-rivals is not scheduled until the summer of 2026-27, meaning Australia will have 40 years to figure out its silverware.
The Black Caps have not won a trophy since 1994, but have endured some tough battles since then, including just one Test win at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval in 2011.
They at least make that run and draw the series at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval next week, with the series ending with the second Test starting on Friday.
