1st Test, Day 3: Rachin Ravindra Holds Fort For New Zealand After Australia Make Early Inroads

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon described unbeaten New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra as a budding “superstar” on Saturday however says the vacationers are nonetheless effectively positioned to win the primary Test in Wellington. Ravindra struck an attention-grabbing 56 not out as the house aspect reached 111-3 at stumps on day three, having stumbled early of their pursuit of a lofty 369 to win the opening match of the two-Test sequence. Daryl Mitchell was on 12, with the pair having placed on 52 in 20.3 overs collectively to present New Zealand a glimmer of hope in tough batting situations.

Lyon took 2-27 — aided by some sensible catching from Steve Smith — to present him six wickets for the match.

Lyon shapes as a key determine in stopping New Zealand from scoring the remaining 258 runs they want on a Basin Reserve pitch taking flip and bounce.

New Zealand part-time spinner Glenn Phillips earlier capitalised on the situations, snaring career-best figures of 5-45 as Australia have been bundled out for 164 of their second innings.

Ravindra, who scored 240 within the first Test towards South Africa final month, defied Australia late within the day with a sequence of aggressive strokes in his 94-ball knock.

Lyon stated will probably be essential to rapidly take away the 24-year-old, who scored three centuries ultimately 12 months’s 50-over World Cup.

“Rachin seems like a really good player,” Lyon stated.

“This is the first time I’ve bowled to him — I watched a lot of him during the World Cup and he’s going to be a superstar. Credit where it’s due, he’s played very well here.

“But I do know if we are able to put stress on them and problem their defence for lengthy intervals of time, hopefully we are able to crack them.”

‘Dream come true’

Mitchell was fortunate to survive an early stumping chance off Lyon, when the ball evaded the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey, with the charging batsman well out of his ground.

Lyon was introduced in the sixth over of New Zealand’s innings and quickly removed opener Tom Latham before claiming the key wicket of Kane Williamson, when Smith pouched a sharp catch at leg slip.

Smith’s second catch was even better, to remove Will Young for 15 off part-time spinner Travis Head, reacting quickly to a fine edge that went low and to his left.

Earlier, Australia lost their last six wickets in the space of 13 overs, with Phillips producing the best figures by any New Zealand spinner on home soil in 18 years, complementing his 71 with the bat in New Zealand’s first innings of 179.

Phillips, thanked captain Tim Southee for giving him the opportunity for a rare long spell.

“It’s completely a dream come true. Timmy’s an unbelievable captain. He gave me the boldness to go on the market and keep on with my plan,” Phillips said.

“I by no means thought it will be in residence situations I may take a five-for. I undoubtedly thought it will be extra within the sub-continent.”

Two wickets fell in the first session, nightwatchman Lyon departing for Australia’s top score of 41 and opener Usman Khawaja for 28 after they resumed at 13-2.

First-innings centurion Cameron Green scored 34 and Travis Head 29 but the end of their 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket sparked a collapse.

Head miscued Phillips to be caught at long-on, before the spinner removed Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey to close catchers and Henry bagged the last two wickets to finish with 3-36.

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