Lunch Australia 62 for 1 (Khawaja 28*, Labuschagne 1*, Henry 1-17) vs New Zealand
Marnus Labuschagne, who had a lean output final 12 months in Take a look at cricket, survived a difficult brief interval earlier than the interval.
New Zealand, having solely overwhelmed Australia as soon as from 29 Take a look at matches since 1993, might be relieved having dismissed Smith on 31 from 71 balls, however Khawaja has held agency with 28 off 82 deliveries.
Led by Henry, New Zealand’s quicks probed on a very good size and the ball moved round, however the floor was not a minefield leaving captain Tim Southee anxious over the choice he made.
There was morning rain in Wellington, whereas there was additionally a 4.7 magnitude earthquake on the decrease North Island, however situations are anticipated to enhance all through the day.
In the identical blueprint as their final Take a look at in opposition to South Africa, New Zealand caught with a seam heavy assault by together with Scott Kuggeleijn and deciding in opposition to recalling left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.
In a brand new period after the retirement of firebrand Neil Wagner, New Zealand’s new-look tempo assault appeared to make early inroads in opposition to a rejigged Australia top-order nonetheless settling into place following the departure of David Warner.
With a gusty breeze behind him, Henry bowled a probing six-over spell with the brand new ball as he relentlessly challenged outdoors off-stump. He was left annoyed in his first over after two outdoors edges off Smith raced to the boundary.
In his first Take a look at innings as an opener away from residence, Smith began nervously earlier than a trademark cowl drive to the boundary off a uncommon unfastened Southee supply was a confidence enhance.
However Smith grew to become an onlooker to a riveting battle between Henry and Khawaja in a check of endurance. Confronted with the ball frequently touchdown on a harmful spot outdoors off-stump, Khawaja left as a lot as doable. Henry reverted to a size supply that got here off the shoulder of Khawaja’s bat however landed in entrance of second slip.
Having been devoid of the strike, Smith grew to become noticeably edgy and set off for a kamikaze single just for Khawaja to ship him again as he scrambled to the non-striker’s finish.
He settled after the drinks break with a wonderful drive down the bottom off Southee, who had shifted ends.
Khawaja took till his fifty fifth supply to succeed in double figures and was hit on the pads by a full supply from Kuggeleijn bowling across the wicket as New Zealand unsuccessfully reviewed.
However Khawaja then relished shorter deliveries from Kuggeleijn to notch his first half-century partnership with Smith as a gap pair.
After his spectacular debut in opposition to South Africa, William O’Rouke bowled a fast burst earlier than lunch but it surely was Henry who was fittingly rewarded with the wicket of Smith.
Australia are unchanged from the aspect that suffered a shock eight-run defeat in opposition to West Indies on the Gabba final month, sticking with the identical frontline assault for the sixth straight Take a look at.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth
