A crowd of 47,441 witnessed Australia bowl New Zealand out for 202 before reaching stumps at 54 for 2 on the first day-night Test in history, in Adelaide, today. Lyon moved from zero to 34 and shared a 74-run stand with Peter Nevill, an instrumental partnership in helping Australia add 106 after Llong’s decision to gain a 22-run lead.
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“You’ve got to give the bowlers credit … once again I thought Hazlewood bowled outstandingly well”, said Taylor, who top-scored with a-run-a-ball 32 before being trapped lbw by the lanky NSW quick.
New Zealand, unbeaten in their last seven Test series since 2013, will have to win the historic Test to draw the series after Australia won the Brisbane opener by 208 runs and last week’s second Test in Perth finished in a high-scoring draw. Hotspot, the technology created to show a mark on the bat if it comes into contact with the ball, appeared to highlight an edge on the back of the blade and Lyon started walking off the field after seeing the replay on a big stadium screen.
For all the consternation over the properties of the revolutionary pink ball, the worries over its durability has resulted in the production of a pitch more in line with the traditional values of Test cricket.
After another rollicking day where 13 wickets tumbled and New Zealand were dudded by a blunder from third umpire Nigel Llong.
Australia made the most of their good fortune, Nevill and Lyon both prospering before Starc – batting at 11 with a stress fracture to his right foot – took 20 off one over from Craig.
“I think that’s a big, big thing, the balance between bat and ball is really important. We’ve just got to get on with it and hopefully we can bat as long as possible tomorrow”, Taylor told reporters.
Their ability to complement each other was the chief reason the Black Caps, after winning the toss, were battling on 6/142 shortly before tea on the first day.
Pundits’ condemnations were amplified on social media, with former Australia bowler Shane Warne remarking it was wrong and a “ridiculous waste of time”.
“When I didn’t get selected there, I had a chat with Punter (Ricky Ponting) out in the middle while all the boys were warming up”, Siddle said on Friday.
Timing and light are likely to be just as crucial on day three, and New Zealand will be clock-watching as they attempt to build a defendable lead, whatever that may be.
It was unravelling fast and the final two wickets added 108 before Nevill was removed by Doug Bracewell for 66.
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“We’re obviously going to miss (Starc) this innings, but I think everyone has the responsibility to step up a little bit and fill that gap, and I feel like I did that tonight”, he said.
