Australia player ratings: Cameron Green’s coming of age covers Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head’s lean run

Off the back of an incredible century from Cameron Green and a 10-wicket-match from Nathan Lyon, Australia has crushed New Zealand in the first Test. DANIEL CHERNY rates all the Aussie players at Basin Reserve.

Off the back of a milestone century from Cameron Green and a 10-wicket-match from Nathan Lyon, Australia has handed New Zealand a heavy defeat in the first Test.

Here’s how all the Australian players fared at Basin Reserve.

STEVEN SMITH- 5

31 and 0

Batted nicely for 31 on the first day before nicking a seaming ball from Matt Henry. Chopped onto a ball he didn’t need to play in the second dig. The jury is still out on the opening experiment. But he took a stunning one-hander on day three to remove Will Young and move ahead of Mark Waugh on the list of most Test catches for Australia.

Steve Smith saw off the new ball but didn’t cash in. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

USMAN KHAWAJA – 6

33 and 28

Batted for more than three hours in the first innings and then another couple in the second dig so is doing his primary job in protecting those below him. But the veteran isn’t going on with it, out eight times between 28 and 47 in his last 17 Test innings.

MARNUS LABUSCHANGE – 3

1 and 2

His 14-month Test batting slump continued with scores of one and two, nicking off again in the first innings before being strangled down leg in the second. Wasn’t a total write-off though given he pulled off the direct hit to run out Kane Williamson.

CAMERON GREEN -10

174* and 34,

Coming of age match from the all-rounder, who was a class above with an unbeaten 174 and handy second innings runs as well. Showed his ability to move up and down the gears as needed and silenced the critics. Picked up a late wicket with bounce too.

Cameron Green changed the course of the Test. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

TRAVIS HEAD – 4

1 and 29

The World Cup final hero’s form is sneakily becoming a bit of an issue for Australia. Edged Will O’Rourke for one before holing out to Glenn Phillips for 29 on day three. The South Australian is averaging 23 since the start of the home Test summer. Did at least make an impact with the ball.

MITCHELL MARSH – 5

40 and 0

Counterattacked nicely on day one to wrest back some momentum for Australia before falling first ball as Phillips ran amok on Saturday. Bagged a lucky wicket down the leg side.

Mitchell Marsh slowed New Zealand’s momentum in the first innings with a quickfire 40. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

ALEX CAREY – 2.5

10 and 3

Two very soft dismissals for 10 and three respectively put the wicketkeeper’s batting in the spotlight again. His work behind the stumps has been faultless but it’s not enough.

MITCHELL STARC – 5

1-34 and 0-29

Only one wicket for the match but set the tone by removing NZ opener Tom Latham cheaply. Provided useful lower-order support for Cameron Green after tea on day one.

PAT CUMMINS – 5

1-33 and 0-40

The captain’s biggest impact was in the field where he used his bowlers judiciously, getting Lyon and Head into the attack early on day three and setting the trap for Williamson. Bowled solidly enough without looking his most venomous. Chipped in with the bat late on day one.

Nathan Lyon took 10 wickets and enjoyed himself with the bat. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

NATHAN LYON – 10

4-43 and 6-65

Another magnificent game from the GOAT, who twice ran through the Black Caps by extracting bounce and turn from an unusually dry Wellington deck. His 41 in the second innings was a nice bonus.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD – 9.5

2-55 and 2-20

It was another strong performance with the ball from the ever-reliable quick but bizarrely his most telling contribution came with the bat when he accompanied Cameron Green for more than two hours in a record-breaking 10th wicket stand on day two.

Originally published as Australia player ratings: Cameron Green’s coming of age covers Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head’s lean run