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Williamson run-out highlights NZ’s woes as Aussies close on top

The calamitous slapstick run out of Kane Williamson was emblematic of New Zealand’s woes as Australia closed in on retaining the Trans-Tasman Trophy at Basin Reserve.

Daniel ChernyDaniel ChernyIn Wellington
@danielcherny
14 min read
March 1, 2024 - 3:42PM
Australia's Cameron Green celebrates 100 runs during day one of the 1st International cricket Test match between New Zealand and Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)
Australia's Cameron Green celebrates 100 runs during day one of the 1st International cricket Test match between New Zealand and Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)

The calamitous slapstick run out of Kane Williamson was emblematic of New Zealand’s woes as Australia closed in on retaining the Trans-Tasman Trophy at Basin Reserve.

But the Aussies left the door ever so slightly ajar as Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith fell cheaply to continue their side’s top order troubles late on day two of the first Test.

Opting not to enforce the follow-on, Australia was 2-13 in its second innings at stumps, leading by 217.

A match that had been evenly poised on Thursday evening swung dramatically in the direction of the tourists on Friday as the Black Caps collapsed following Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood’s record-breaking 10th wicket partnership for the Aussies.

From 9-279 at the start of play, Green (174 not out) and Hazlewood (22) hauled the Aussies to 383, batting beyond the prescribed two hour first session.

With their spirit already hammered by the 116-run last stand, things went from bad to much, much worse for the Black Caps, who crumbled to 5-29 by the middle stages of the day.

While Australia bowled well on a pitch still offering assistance, it was a disastrous showing from New Zealand, typified by the second-ball run out of star batter Williamson.

The former captain set off for a dangerous single to mid-off after nudging a full delivery from Mitchell Starc, only to collide with non-striker Will Young around halfway down the pitch and be run out by Labuschagne.

A punchy 71 from Glenn Phillips and useful 42 down the order from Matt Henry - who had earlier finished with five wickets in Australia’s first innings - led New Zealand to 179.

However Smith chopped onto a length Tim Southee ball to depart for a duck before Labuschagne tickled one down the leg side to fall caught behind to the Black Caps captain for two.

Usman Khawaja and nightwatcher Nathan Lyon - who picked up 4-43 earlier in the day - survived until stumps, but only after Southee dropped Lyon at third slip off Henry’s bowling from the final ball of the day.

Relive the action from the second day below.

STUMPS: NZ STRIKES LATE BUT AUSSIES ON TOP

Australia has Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood and New Zealand’s wayward bowlers to thank for their dominant position after two days of the first Test.

Green and Hazlewood combined for a massive 116-run last-wicket stand to lift Australia from 9-279 to 383, as NZ added 41 runs to that total through extras.

Green took on NZ’s bowlers in his unbeaten 174, smashing five sixes to go with his 23 boundaries in an epic knock which proved he can be Australia’s long-term answer at No.4.

NZ crumbled to 5-29 in reply, but a late fight led by Glenn Phillips (71) and helped by Matt Henry’s 34-ball 42 and Tom Blundell’s 33 lifted the home side to 179.

Tim Southee struck twice for valuable wickets at the end of play, dismissing both Steve Smith (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (2) as Australia reached 2-13 at stumps.

There could have been a third, but Southee dropped an easy chance to dismiss Nathan Lyon in the slips off the last ball of the day.

4.15PM: WICKET! SOUTHEE STRIKES, MARNUS GONE

Pressure has to be mounting on Marnus Labuschagne after yet another cheap dismissal.

Labuschagne had a tickle at one down the leg side and got it all wrong, edging to the Tom Blundell to hand Tim Southee his second wicket of the innings.

It’s been a rough old run for Labuschagne, who hasn’t passed 10 since three scores in the 60s against Pakistan.

For all the talk about Steve Smith’s move to opener and Green’s insertion to the No.4 slot, Labuschagne has escaped plenty of attention for his lean run in recent time.

Of the last 21 occasions Labuschagne has been dismissed in Test cricket, he has now fallen 15 times either caught behind or in the slips.

His dismissal brings Nathan Lyon to the middle, who will – hopefully – play out the rest of the day’s play with Usman Khawaja down the other end.

4PM: WICKET! SMITH GONE THIRD BALL

New Zealand took just three balls to strike fresh blood in Australia’s second innings, with Steve Smith playing on.

Smith got across to play a wider Southee delivery but found the inside edge, chopping the ball into middle stump and sending the bails flying.

It’s a dream start for NZ, who trail by 204, and they’ll be confident of jagging another early scalp as it brings Marnus Labuschagne to the crease.

Labuschagne has struggled in recent times, with just 20 runs from his last five knocks.

3.45PM: WICKET! HENRY GONE, GOAT’S AWESOME FOURSOME

Matt Henry’s entertaining knock has come to an end, and with it brings down the curtains on New Zealand’s first innings.

Henry came in at No.9 but played his innings like a short-form game, smacking four sixes and three boundaries in an exciting 34-ball 42.

He took one too many risks, going long off Nathan Lyon but founding Marnus Labuschagne in the deep instead of the rope.

It was Lyon’s fourth wicket, as the GOAT ended with 4-43 from 8.1 overs, and ends NZ’s first innings on 179 – five short of avoiding the follow-on.

Australia departed the field as a group and start their second innings momentarily.

3.40PM: WICKET! KIWIS FALL IN A BUNCH

There’s just one more wicket left to fall with New Zealand still 21 runs from avoiding the follow-on at Wellington.

Nathan Lyon grabbed his third when captain Tim Southee found Travis Head with a pretty meek shot off his pads.

While Southee was barely expected to put up a big score, it continued an alarming New Zealand trend of losing wickets in bunches.

The Kiwis have dropped in twos and threes throughout the first innings, and now it’s up to Matt Henry to boost the New Zealand’s total.

3.35PM: WICKET! PHILLIPS FALLS FOR TRAP

Glenn Phillips can hold his head up after almost single-handedly keeping New Zealand in the first Test.

Phillips hooked a well-direct bouncerl from Hazlewood, and it found Mitchell Starc waiting at fine leg with open arms.

It ended a superb innings, in which he hit 13 boundaries for his 71 runs (70 balls), and leaves NZ at 8-161 as Tim Southee comes to the crease.

They are still 21 runs short of avoiding the follow-on, but whether or not Australia enforces it as another thing altogether.

Australia hasn’t generally enforced the follow-on, but it could be a very handy lead should they wrap up the tail quickly.

3.30PM: HENRY’S SIX APPEAL AS KIWIS BATTLE ON

New Zealand are in attack mode as they chip away at Australia’s 200-plus run lead at Wellington.

Matt Henry, in particular, has gone after Nathan Lyon, with three big sixes in his 24-ball 27 so far.

Glenn Phillips has 13 boundaries in his 69 from 67 deliveries, as NZ reached 7-159 at the 40-over mark.

Lyon has 2-43 from his seven overs so far, at 6.14 runs per over, as NZ fight to stay in the first Test.

2.50PM: DOUBLE WICKET! PHILLIPS 50 BEFORE TWO FALL

Just as we try to write really nice things about NZ, bad things happen to NZ.

First up, Glenn Phillips, take a bow.

There’s a long way back for the men from the Land of the Long White Cloud, but Phillips has led the fightback to at least wrest control of the last session of a tough day for the home side.

Phillips has taken the fight to Australia, finding gaps in the field for 10 boundaries at a better than run-a-ball half-century.

He brought up his third Test 50 with a good shot off Nathan Lyon down the ground, an while they still trail by 270 runs, the scoreboard looks a lot more respectable.

Then, disaster.

The next ball, Blundell stepped down the crease but totally miscued his shot for an easy Travis Head catch at silly mid-on for 33 off 43 balls.

Lyon’s scalp meant all five Australian bowlers used so far have one wicket, plus a Marnus Labuschagne run-out of Kane Williamson.

Then, out came Scott Kuggeleijn and off went Scott Kuggeleijn, who went for a big shot but found Cameron Green on the rope for a second-ball duck.

Pressure back on.

Glenn Phillips hit 10 boundaries on his way to a fighting half-century. Picture: Getty Images
Glenn Phillips hit 10 boundaries on his way to a fighting half-century. Picture: Getty Images

2:35PM: 100 UP FOR NZ!

Clap, clap, for the Kiwis as they reach triple figures!

There were times this morning, when they were either 3-12 or 5-29 – take your pick – that it seemed they might struggle to reach the milestone.

But the Black Caps have shown plenty of fight, with Glenn Phillips within striking distance of a fighting half-century.

Tom Blundell has scored slightly slower than Phillips but has done a great job in helping New Zealand get back into the game.

2:15PM: BLACK CAPS ARE BUILDING

Look out – the fightback is on!

Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips have doubled New Zealand’s score as they show the most fight from the home side since they had Australia at 4-89 more than 24 hours ago.

Phillips has taken an approach similar to that of Mitch Marsh during the Australian first innings.

Marsh entered the game at 4-89 but attacked the bowlers, eventually hitting 40 runs from 39 balls and lifting the Aussies out of trouble and into the game.

Phillips has a fair way to go to fully replicate the Allan Border Medal winner but is on the right track.

He has hit five boundaries in his unbeaten 22 off 21 deliveries, while Blundell has one in his 14 runs (20 balls)

It’s a long, long way back for New Zealand, who trail Australia by 318 runs, but the fight has to start somewhere to give the Wellington fans something to cheer about.

1.40PM: AUSSIES ON TOP AT TEA TIME

New Zealand is already on the ropes as Australia takes a commanding 341-run lead into the tea break.

Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips are taking the closest we’ve seen to an attack to the Australian attack after a diabolical day for the home side.

Blundell (5) and Phillips (8) are fighting from well underneath, with New Zealand in dire straits at 5-42.

The Kiwis lost three wickets in five balls to go from 0-12 to 3-12, which included a painful mix-up which led to Kane Williamson’s dismissal, then lost two wickets in as many balls to slump to 5-29.

Australia’s four pace bowlers – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitch Marsh – all have one wicket each, with Marnus Labuschagne’s run out of Williamson the toughest to watch.

During the break, we look at how Cameron Green might have unlocked a major secret that could take his game to a higher level.

On Thursday night, Cameron Green conceded that he was “still trying to work out how the best to play with the tail”. But, less than 24 hours later, he’s shown he might have it figured out.

Click here for the full story.

1.20PM: FOUR! WICKET! WICKET! NZ IN ALL SORTS

New Zealand has been left reeling as two wickets in two balls left their first innings on life support.

The Wellington crowd came alive for the first boundary in more than 10 overs, then were silenced immediately as Daryl Mitchell fell to a good piece of Pat Cummins bowling.

Mitchell and Will Young ground out a 17-run partnership during their 69-ball stay at the crease, and when Mitchell hit a boundary - the first in almost 12 overs - the crowd burst into their biggest cheer in what felt like hours.

The very next ball, Cummins tempted Mitchell into one down the offside.

The Kiwi duly accepted, but edged straight to Alex Carey behind the stumps to send him on his way.

One ball later, Mitch Marsh had Young play at one down the leg side with the same result - caught Carey - and NZ is reeling at 5-29.

1.10PM: AUSSIES ON TOP AS NZ DIGS IN

We’re 15 overs in and, potentially, the biggest lull of this Test match so far.

NZ were left reeling at 3-12 after 5.3 overs, and a tick under 10 overs later and the score’s improved to 3-20.

Will Young (8 from 47) and Daryl Mitchell’s (5 from 29) partnership has crawled at a glacial pace to just eight runs off 57 balls.

It’s made the figures of Mitchell Starc (1-4 from 5 overs with four maidens) and Pat Cummins (0-2 from 3 overs) look fairly impressive, but not exactly a period of play for viewers who prefer the smash and bash of shorter formats.

12:30PM: ANOTHER WICKET! BANG, BANG, BANG

Another one bites the dust!

Nathan Lyon has proved GOATs can fly with a somewhat awkward take to end Rachin Ravindra’s stay after just three balls.

Josh Hazlewood tempted Ravindra into chasing a wide one and it went straight to Lyon, who somehow held on after he started a dive to his right.

The day surely can’t get any worse for New Zealand, who not only took their foot off the throat of Australia but have now lost three quick wickets for nothing and face a long climb back into this contest.

NZ’s Will Young is handed his bat by Mitchell Starc after the wicket of Kane Williamson. Picture: Getty Images
NZ’s Will Young is handed his bat by Mitchell Starc after the wicket of Kane Williamson. Picture: Getty Images

12:25PM: ANOTHER WICKET! MIX-UP ENDS WILLIAMSON

Oh my.

Kane Williamson’s stint at the crease is already over after an embarrassing mix-up and collision with Will Young.

Williamson played a short one back past Starc and set off, with Young watching the ball pass down the other end.

As Starc moved out of the way, Williamson went right and Young went left and collided – and Marnus Labuschagne made no mistake with a classy direct hit to send Williamson on his way.

A calamitous start for the Kiwis who are down two wickets after just five overs.

12:20PM: WICKET! STARC STRIKES FIRST BLOOD

A nice piece of bowling from Mitchell Starc has sent Tom Latham on the long walk back to the pavilion.

Starc asked plenty of questions with his first two overs but struck in his third with the pill.

Latham was caught in two minds by a beautiful pill from Starc, the Kiwi opener initially looking to leave before trying to get his bat down.

The ball nicked the inside edge and careened into the stumps to bring his 13-ball innings to an end for just five runs.

It left New Zealand at 1-12 after 4.4 overs, bringing one of the world’s best batsmen in Kane Williamson to the crease.

NOON: NEW ZEALAND FIGHTBACK BEGINS

The big fightback is under way at Wellington as New Zealand begin their first innings chasing 100 more runs than they might have hoped.

Australia went from 4-89, to 9-279 before Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood shared in a 116-run partnership for the last wicket to take Australia’s total to 383.

Will Young hit New Zealand’s first five runs, which included a boundary, as MItchell Starc and Hazlewood get their crack at a pitch offering plenty of movement.

10.20AM: WICKET! GREEN STRANDED AS LAST MAN FALLS

Cameron Green has been left stranded on 174 after Matt Henry sealed a five-wicket haul with the scalp of Josh Hazlewood.

The tailender stuck around for his longest stint in nine years as he made 22 from 62 balls, but was tempted into a shot back down the ground and sent it straight to Rachin Ravindra at mid-on.

The partnership, which ended at 116 off 188 balls, was Australia’s biggest tenth wicket stand in New Zealand.

It brings Australia’s innings to a close on 383, an enormous advantage given they were 4-89 at one stage.

Cameron Green celebrates 150 runs with Josh Hazlewood. Picture: AFP
Cameron Green celebrates 150 runs with Josh Hazlewood. Picture: AFP

Australia resumed at 9-279 on the back of Cameron Green’s heroic century, which was just the fourth time he’s come in at No.4, but partnered with Josh Hazlewood, it was expected that Australia would struggle to reach 300.

Someone forgot to tell these lads.

Josh Hazlewood hasn’t faced the first ball of the day in too many situations but he had to be on song from the start as Matt Henry fired in a Yorker with his first of the day.

He battled early, but grew in confidence as he stuck around for his longest stint in the middle in nine years.

Green went after them, slogging five sixes to put New Zealand on the back foot.

It was a massive statement by Green, who entered the Test under enormous pressure given his elevation to the crucial role, but he showed why he could be the long-term answer for Australia.

11AM: AUSSIES PLAY ON

The timing of lunch is at the discretion of the umpires, and with one wicket left, we’re playing on through so Australia will have another half an hour to turn the screws.

It’s been a brilliant morning for Australia, who resumed at 9-279 amid doubt they could reach 300.

Australia’s gone well beyond that, Cameron Green passed the 150-mark and he and Josh Hazlewood’s triple figures has eased past triple figures.

Green is playing a different way to what we saw yesterday, adding some big-hitting with five sixes already as he gets within touching distance of a double hundred.

Hazlewood, meanwhile, overcame a shaky start to look more than comfortable as he reached his own milestone - his longest stint in the middle in nine years.

10.40AM: 100 PARTNERSHIP! GREEN, HAZLEWOOD, PUNISH NZ

Cameron Green, stop it.

Three major milestones for the morning – Australia’s 300, Green 150 and now the 100-run partnership between Green and Josh Hazlewood – and all three brought up with a big six from Australia’s new No.4.

Green has hit the gas this morning, smashing five sixes on his way to 166, while Hazlewood has looked more and more comfortable the longer his 17-run innings has gone.

Can you believe it?

Just a few hours ago, there was plenty of doubt as to whether or not they could even reach 300.

Now, as unlikely as it sounds, 400 is nearing the horizon.

10.20AM: 150! GREEN GOES BIG

Cameron Green, take a bow.

The 24-year-old has wasted absolutely no time cashing in on his century, blasting four sixes on his way to his first Test 150.

He brought up the 150-run milestone the same way he took Australia to 300 – with a massive six which showed his power.

Cameron Green has hit four sixes this session, as he raced to his maiden 150. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Cameron Green has hit four sixes this session, as he raced to his maiden 150. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Green and Hazlewood started the day at 9-279 and have, so far, put on 78 runs for the last wicket, which could demoralise New Zealand.

Before play, Mitch Marsh, who made 40 in a 67-run partnership with Green, said the West Australian was unbelievable.

“It’s been well-documented that he’s a young kid learning his craft at the top level … but he’s one of the best in the world, and he’s going to continue to get better,” Marsh said.

“We saw that yesterday with the way he played, the way he moved the bowlers, his patience; he was really the anchor for us.”

9.45AM: 50 PARTNERSHIP AS GREEN SWINGS FOR THE FENCES

Is there anything more beautiful in world cricket than seeing the tall timbers use every bit of their long levers to dispatch a ball over the fence?

If Day 1 was all about Cameron Green’s patience and picking his moments, he’s dived into his kit bag to bring out some of the big-hitting skills at the start of Day 2.

The big fella’s hit three sixes this morning to fly to 129 not out, while Josh Hazlewood’s hit three – THREE – boundaries.

Green and Hazlewood sailed past 50 on the back of a four from the seamer, as this 11th-wicket partnership, the third-biggest of this Australian innings, frustrates the Kiwi attack.

Hazlewood also passed Glenn McGrath for the highest Test score by an Australian No.11 in New Zealand.

9.20AM: CLOSE, BUT AUSSIES ARE STILL ALIVE!

Josh Hazlewood has done well so far as New Zealand’s seamers find plenty of movement out of the cherry.

Hazlewood has navigated his way past 13 balls in the first few overs of the day but it hasn’t been an easy task – and we couldn’t say he exactly looked comfortable.

It came during an opening 20 minutes which also included a bizarre non-run, as Hazlewood and Green crossed but opted out of the run before the big seamer reached the crease to complete the run.

There was a minor stoppage as New Zealand questioned whether or not a run had been completed, which would determine if Green took strike in the next over, but it was declared a no-run.

“Let’s just pretend that never happened,” came the call.

Hazlewood would be licking his lips seeing how much that ball is moving, and with both he and Mitchell Starc lethal with a bit of swing, every extra run these boys put on this morning could be crucial.

Originally published as Williamson run-out highlights NZ’s woes as Aussies close on top

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