New Zealand are squaring off against Australia in the first Test of the two-match series in Wellington. Asked to bat first, Australia posted a whopping total of 383, despite struggling at 89/4. All-rounder Cameron Green was the main architect of Australia’s innings as he remained unbeaten at 174. For the Kiwis, Matt Henry registered an impressive five-wicket haul. Apart from all this action, this match also grabbed everyone’s attention due to the bizarre dismissal of Kane Williamson on Day 2.
New Zealand were reeling at 12/1 when Williamson came out to bat in the fifth over by Mitchell Starc. The star batter played a shot towards the mid-off and ran for a single. However, Will Young, who was standing at non-striker’s end, kept on watching the ball and ended up colliding with Williamson while running for the single.
KANE WILLIAMSON IS RUN OUT IN TEST CRICKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 12 YEARS…!!!pic.twitter.com/KRheTm61sg
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 1, 2024
Marnus Labuschagne, who received the ball, made no mistake and threw it towards the non-striker’s end to dismiss Williamson for duck. It was for the first time in 12 years that the former New Zealand skipper got run out.
Coming back to the match, Australia took five quick wickets to leave New Zealand in big trouble at tea on day two of the first Test on Friday after Green smashed an unbeaten 174 to steer the tourists to an imposing 383.
At the break the hosts were 42-5 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve after Josh Hazlewood was the last man out for Australia following a 116-run last-wicket stand with Green.
Tom Blundell was not-out five at tea with Glenn Phillips unbeaten on eight.
New Zealand made a horror start when opener Tom Latham (five) played on in the fourth over, unable to deal with the pace of Mitchell Starc.
It got worse when Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra fell for ducks within the space of five balls.
Green earlier picked up where he left off by peppering the Basin Reserve boundary, adding to his overnight 103 by clobbering a six to push the visitors past 300, having started the day at 279-2.
(With AFP Inputs)
Topics mentioned in this article
