Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test analysis: Australia clinging to past glories with New Zealand on top heading into day four
Australia’s bid to extend their 31-year stranglehold over New Zealand is off to a horror start, with Australia on track to finish another series on the losing end of the equation, writes DANIEL CHERNY.
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The Australian Test side is hanging onto past glories, and the proof is real enough that Pat Cummins can hold it.
Even without pulling a rabbit from their hat at Hagley Oval on Monday, the Aussies will receive the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
A drawn series is enough for Australia to retain the silverware, just as was the case with the Ashes at The Oval last July and the Frank Worrell Trophy at the Gabba in January.
But whereas the World Test Championship and World Cup wins last year yielded images of fireworks, streamers, and arms aloft, a 1-1 result would mean only more polite smiles in Christchurch on Monday, resembling those from the presentation ceremonies of retentions past.
Australia is on track to end three Test series out of four by collecting the prize despite losing the final rubber and being unable to win the series outright.
Yet more than showcasing the quirky nature of cricket’s tiebreaker customs, these trophy presentation images also shine a light on an ageing and almost inarguably declining team.
It is one thing to be loyal to the men who delivered retention rights in the first place, but by the time Australia is next due to play a Test come November, every member bar Cameron Green of this current XI will be in his 30s, as are backup quicks Michael Neser and Scott Boland.
Age is not wearying the bowlers, but having to keep papering over the cracks in the batting will.
Sunday looked like one bridge too many for the Australian attack, who bowled solidly enough as a collective but were confronted by a flattened pitch, sunny skies, and not aided by the drop of Scott Kuggeleijn on two by Marnus Labuschagne at third slip off Green.
The Black Caps’ No. 8 belted his way to 44 to provide late nuisance value after Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra had all posted half-centuries, the type of group batting effort that has become a distant memory for the Aussies.
Mitchell Starc was wayward at times but it would be unfair to sheet home too much responsibility to the bowlers.
Instead the question needs to be asked: where to now for Steve Smith, trapped on nine by the outstanding Matt Henry to a ball that seamed back to be hitting the top of middle stump. Smith batted well on the opening morning of this series but leaves these shores with 51 runs at 12.75 while failing to mount a compelling case for a spot in Australia’s Twenty20 side.
His unbeaten 91 in the Gabba chase is the outlier in what is an increasing sample size to suggest that rising 35, his gradual decline at No. 4 had been more to do with dimming reflexes than the staleness he hoped would be rectified by a move to the top.
Usman Khawaja isn’t going particularly well either, with just one half-century in his last six Tests and without a ton since the Edgbaston Test last June.
Caught in the cordon on 11 by Tim Southee to provide Henry with his 11th scalp for the match, Khawaja was only six weeks ago crowned as ICC Test player of the year, but will also be 38 in December.
When Labuschagne and Green fell to debutant Ben Sears, Australia had slumped to 4-34. Yet even if Travis Head, Mitch Marsh or Alex Carey lead the rescue act on Monday, difficult discussions are coming about the batting lineup.
On several fronts, credits are running out. As Smith has learned in T20, reputation only gets you so many chances, and if he doesn’t turn the corner at the top of the order, it’s hard to envisage a return to No. 4.
Likewise a draw won’t be enough next summer against an Indian outfit that has won the past four Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
And the goal of back-to-back WTC crowns will slip away unless Australia can find a way to get better rather than just hang onto what it has.
“We’re on a path and on a journey (to) a dream to become one of Australia’s great, great cricket teams,” said Nathan Lyon after play.
At the moment it looks like treacherous terrain.
That's a ripper from Southee ðŸ‘
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 10, 2024
Australia are three down as Khawaja departs! #NZvAUSpic.twitter.com/iP56iyXZyI
4.30PM: STUMPS: AUSSIES IN STRIFE AFTER WILD FINAL SESSION
What a final session that was for New Zealand.
They ripped through Australia’s top order, taking 4-19 in a chaotic hour that seemed destined to destroy their 31-year record having never lost a Test on New Zealand soil.
And, to be fair, that record is still very much on the ropes. At stumps, Australia are 4-77, chasing 279 for victory.
What presented as a difficult chase at first quickly rose to be something of a Mt Everest-sized one when Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green all fell cheaply.
But Australia will be encouraged by the final 40 minutes, where Mitchell Marsh (27 off 27) and Travis Head (17 off 39) managed to get through to stumps unscathed.
They will hold the key for Australia tomorrow, with 202 more runs still required.
4.10PM: MARSH, HEAD GO ON THE ATTACK
There’s 20 minutes left on day three, and still plenty of time for drama and carnage.
That could mean more wickets, but it could also be a decent chunk of runs because Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head are scoring freely.
It’s the way they play, and neither is intimidated by the imposing total set by New Zealand – nor the suffocating spells of fast bowling from Ben Sears and Matt Henry.
The Black Caps are absolutely on fire, in just five overs Marsh and Head have added 34 runs at more than seven runs an over.
It’s aggressive. It’s a bit mad. But it’s the only way the know how to do things.
3.50PM: WICKET! SEARS IS ON FIRE
Wow, wow, wow. New Zealand are absolutely surging in this final session.
That is a thunderbolt from Ben Sears and Australia’s first-Test centurion – Cameron Green – is gone for just 5.
His stumps have been scattered, and he throws his head back in disgust.
Australia’s top order is in tatters and their hopes of rescuing this Test sit on the shoulders of enigmatic duo Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head.
They’re 4-34 and New Zealand have their tails up. This is a special spell of fast bowling from Ben Sears.
3.45PM: AUSSIES ON THE ROPES LATE ON DAY THREE
At drinks in the final session on Sunday, Australia are confronting the very real prospect of losing their first Test on New Zealand soil in 31 years.
There’s a long way to go, of course. Two more days to play. Seven wickets to fall.
But it’s been a horror start, with their three most senior batsmen, and the three you’d expect to build a chase around – Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja – all falling cheaply inside the first 15 overs.
At drinks, Australia are 3-34, and still 245 runs away from victory. That feels a long way off right now, however. Because all Cameron Green and Travis Head will be worried about is trying to get back to the dressing room tonight without any further damage.
That won’t be easy, with Matt Henry and Ben Sears bowling serious heat.
3.30PM: WICKET! AUSSIES IN CRISIS AS KHAWAJA FALLS
It’s all happening at Hagley Oval! Usman Khawaja is the next to succumb to the Kiwi pace barrage.
But this one is more about Tim Southee’s exceptional catch.
Khawaja slashes a chance towards gully off Matt Henry – who now has nine wickets for the match – where Southee takes a spectacular diving effort.
That’s an absolute cracker of a catch, and Khawaja is gone for 11. Australia in a world of hurt at 3-30, chasing 279 for victory.
Travis Head joins the party. He only knows how to attack – but hasn’t been scoring a great deal of runs recently.
3.15PM: WICKET! MARNUS GIVEN A LIFE, THEN OUT
Oh my!
Ben Sears is bowling with fire right now and he’s essentially removed Marnus Labuschagne twice in three balls.
The first, a thick edge, is spilled by Daryl Mitchell at first slip, with the ball bobbling in and then out of his hands.
But it doesn’t end up hurting New Zealand at all, as Sears brings another chance – and completes it himself, taking a return catch off a leading edge to dismiss Labuschagne for just 6.
Australia in a spot of bother now, at 2-22, with Khawaja and Green now at the crease.
3.10PM: WICKET! SMITH FALLS CHEAPLY AGAIN
That’s the one New Zealand wanted! Brilliant bowling from the first-innings destroyer Matt Henry, who traps Steve Smith in front.
Smith is crabbing across his crease, but Henry beats the bat and it thuds into Smith just on the knee-roll and right in front of off-stump.
He reluctantly opts for a review after a brief consultation with Khawaja – but it’s a fruitless review, as this is hitting the top of middle stump.
Smith is on his way for 9, and Australia are down to 2 reviews for the remainder of this innings.
Australia, 1-15, needing a further 264 for victory.
3.05PM: AUSSIES OFF TO A METHODICAL START
Are you new to following Australia? Or watching Usman Khawaja?
If so, this might be a surprise to you. But it’s a slow and steady start to the chase from two of Australia’s most methodical batsmen who, after seven overs, are 0-15.
There’s a long way to go in this Test – with two full days to play after this session – and even today, there’s a lot of overs to be bowled.
The session, as has been the case the past two days, will be extended through until 4.30pm AEDT to get the maximum number of overs in.
So the priority of Khawaja and Smith is simply to get past the new ball, and try to survive until stumps.
The new ball has provided the most destruction at Hagley Oval this weekend. If Australia can escape without too much carnage, they’ll know the chase is off to a good start – regardless of how many runs are on the scoreboard.
2.40PM: AUSSIES BEGIN MIGHTY CHASE
The chase is on. Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja have walked out to face a fired-up New Zealand attack, with a target of 279 in front of them.
They know what is required. And how tough it will be.
Only once has there been a higher fourth innings score at Hagley Oval than the 279 Australia needs to chase down.
It happened last year, when New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets, finishing with 8/285 on a dramatic final day.
The start will be crucial. The new ball has done the damage throughout this Test, so the first 10-15 overs could be fruitful for the New Zealand quicks.
2.20PM: ALL OUT! LYON CLEANS UP THE TAIL
Scott Kuggeleijn had a maiden Test 50 in his sights – but it’s been ripped from his grasp by Nathan Lyon.
On 44, he spots a chance to clear the fence and bring up the milestone off Lyon, but like Matt Henry before him he doesn’t get the distance and instead finds the safe hands of Cameron Green on the boundary rope.
Lyon cleans up the tail and finishes with three wickets.
Nonetheless, that’s a terrific knock that has helped boost New Zealand’s total to 372 – and given them something to defend.
Attention turns to Australia, now, with the hosts needed 279 to win this match and complete a 2-0 series sweep.
2.25PM: WICKET! CAREY JAGS 10TH CATCH
A quick innings for Tim Southee, and an Australian record 10th catch for Alex Carey.
He safely pouches a chance which floats to him off the glove of Southee, who was try to protect himself from a Pat Cummins bouncer.
Southee departs for a duck, and there’s just one to go to close this innings.
Carey’s 10th catch in this Test brings him alongside Adam Gilchrist - who did in in 2000, also against New Zealand - as the only Australians to achieve the feat.
2.20PM: WICKET! LYON BAGS ANOTHER TO END BRIGHT CAMEO
Very valuable runs for New Zealand coming from the bat of Matt Henry – he charged to 16 off 10 in quick time.
But he tries to bite off more than he can chew, taking Nathan Lyon deep over mid-on in search of another boundary.
Alas, he can only hit it as far as Josh Hazlewood on the long-on boundary.
Henry was tempted into the shot by a little more loft from Lyon, and couldn’t resist.
New Zealand’s lead is 277, with two wickets – and the dangerous Kuggeleijn still at the crease - remaining.
2.10PM: WICKET! LYON STRIKES WITH A BEAUTY
Nathan Lyon has been used sparingly today – and has bowled just 14 overs so far this innings.
But he’s been brought back to attack the tail, and Pat Cummins’ Midas touch has worked again as Lyon strikes with his first ball. That’s the third time today that an Australian has struck with the first ball of their spell, following Cummins’ himself and Cameron Green’s wickets.
The veteran spinner rips one back off a length and it splits the defences of Glenn Phillips, crashing into the off-stump.
That’s a peach of a delivery and turned a mile. Something for Phillips to consider, given he’ll likely be bowling plenty of off-spin himself when the Australian chase begins.
Phillips goes for 16, and New Zealand’s lead is 255.
1.45PM: TEA! KIWIS END SESSION ON HIGH AFTER LATE BLITZ
They lost 3-18, but New Zealand have again hit back hard to finish the second session on a high.
102 runs were scored in that session, mostly after the mini New Zealand collapse, but a late 49-run partnership from Scott Kuggeleijn and Glenn Phillips – mostly coming from the bat of a free-hitting Kuggeleijn – has steered New Zealand’s lead to 251.
The lead is ballooning, and New Zealand will feel they may already have a defendable total. But there’s certainly more to come.
At the start of the day Mitchell Marsh said he was hopeful Australia weren’t going to be chasing 300 or more, but that seems likely at this point.
Can they chase a target in that region? They’ll have the time. But runs haven’t been coming with any great consistency for Australia’s batsmen.
1.30PM: KUGGELEIJN TEES OFF, GETS DRS REPRIEVE
Some drama at Hagley Oval! Scott Kuggeleijn has taken the long handle to the Aussie quicks, thumping two sixes in a dangerous cameo knock.
It looked to have come to an end when he was given out caught behind off a Mitchell Starc bouncer – but he immediately reviewed.
And for good reason. He’s not hit it. There’s no spike on DRS and the tailender is given a reprieve, before immediately clubbing back-to-back boundaries from the next two balls.
Starc is fuming, the Kiwis are up and about, and Kuggeleijn has notched his highest Test score – he’s 29 not out and going at better than a run a ball.
1PM: DROPPED! MARNUS GRASSES A TOUGH CHANCE
From the high of taking an absolute beauty, Marnus Labuschange drops a much easier offering – again off Green.
Which is by no means to say this was a sitter.
Scott Kuggeleijn flashes a sharp one to Labuschagne, stationed at gully. Labuschagne moved well and got both hands to the ball, but it bounced off the balls of his hand and fell to safety.
On balance, I think Green will feel ok about that. But it’s a let off for Kuggeleijn and New Zealand.
12.50PM: WICKET! MARNUS SCREAMER CONTINUES KIWI COLLAPSE
Oh boy. That’s an absolute screamer from Marnus Labuschagne to bring an end to Tom Blundell’s short stay at the crease.
A wide long-hop from Cameron Green is spanked towards the cover boundary by Blundell, but for an acrobatic leap and catch by Labuschagne at extra cover.
He leaps high and to his left, taking a beaut of a catch as the ball seemed to be past his left shoulder.
It was Green’s first ball of a new spell, and he looks a bit sheepish at having taken a wicket with a genuine loosener.
Blundell goes for just 9, and suddenly New Zealand are in a spot of bother, with a lead of 202.
They’ve lost 3-18, and the match has been turned on its head.
What a catch from Marnus!! Aussies right back in this now. Cracking match this. Terrible shot, though, it must be said #NZvAUS
— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) March 10, 2024
12.35PM: WICKET! CUMMINS TURNS TABLES WITH HUGE SCALP
Pat Cummins has the magic touch.
The skipper brings himself back into the attack, and delivers the monster scalp of Rachin Ravindra for 82 with his first ball.
It’s better than a gentle loosener, but just angles across the young left-hander who wafts at it and gifts a chance to Alex Carey. Once again, no mistake there.
That’s a fine knock and put New Zealand in a great position – but after two wickest in quick time, momentum is with Australia.
New Zealand are five wickets down, and have a lead that is right on the cusp of 200. But they’ll need Tom Blundell to work with the tail and add another 100 to start feeling comfortable again.
12.25PM: WICKET! HAZLEWOOD LANDS KILLER BLOW
Just as New Zealand were starting to run away from Australia, with the new ball delivering a flurry of runs, Josh Hazlewood landed a massive blow for the tourists.
Daryl Mitchell slammed back-to-back boundaries off Hazlewood, but the towering quick held his nerve and hit the scrambled seam on a perfect line to catch the edge with the following delivery.
Mitchell feathered a chance to Alex Carey, who did the rest.
A crucial wicket for Australia, and Mitchell departs for 58 with New Zealand’s lead up to 184.
Tom Blundell is the new man in. He’s been a dangerous proposition for lower-order scoring this series, and this partnership becomes a huge one for both sides.
12.10PM: STARC, HAZLEWOOD ENTRUSTED WITH NEW BALL
It’s Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood who have been entrusted with the second new ball, and it’s definitely changed the mood of play.
Both Ravindra and Mitchell have had thick edges fall just short of the slips and gully, as Australia ramps up the pressure.
The new ball has done the damage in all three innings so far this Test. If this pair can see off the first 10 overs of the new rock, there will be runs to be had on a sunny afternoon in Christchurch.
11.45AM: AUSSIES TAKE NEW BALL AFTER MARNUS MADNESS
We’re back after the lunch break – and a surprise over of Marnus Labuschagne bowling some filthy medium pacers – and now the new ball has arrived.
I suspect Marnus won’t be kept on to bowl with the new ball, judging by his over just now.
He has 13 Test wickets, though wrist-spin has been his weapon of choice rather than the medium pacers he launched at Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra.
He started with some short stuff – his first sailed high enough to be called a wide – and, somehow, almost had Ravindra caught at fine leg from a top-edged short ball.
But the eventful over ended with nine runs from it, then a new ball, and probably no more Labuschange overs in the bowling column to follow.
11.30AM: WHERE DO THE BIG FOUR RANK?
Ever wondered who is the best batsman of this generation?
The great Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock certainly has. And so he’s done something about it, digging deep into the stats to separate the best from the rest and rank Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Joe Root and Kane Williamson.
By most metrics they are clear as the four batsmen considered in their own stratosphere from the past decade or so.
But who comes out on top?
Read Crash’s brilliant analysis here.
11AM: LUNCH! NEW ZEALAND BUILD DANGEROUS TOTAL
Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell have survived until lunch – and ensure that is New Zealand’s session.
And not just that, it could be their Test. This partnership has quickly thrown the pressure right back onto Australia after the early dismissal of Tom Latham for 73.
That had the potential to rattle the Kiwis, but they’ve fought back beautifully with an 88-run partnership – with Ravindra passing 50, and Mitchell not far behind him.
They’ve built the lead to 149, having added 109 at almost four runs an over this morning.
Australia have tried everything – well, at the very least they’ve used seven different bowlers – but only Pat Cummins was able to get a breakthrough on Sunday, courtesy of a smart review of a not-out caught-behind call.
The new ball will be available shortly after lunch, and Australia will be keen for it to provide a momentum change because otherwise this partnership has the potential to take the Test away from Australia, who won’t be keen on a chase of 300 plus.
10.45AM: BLACK CAPS LEAD GROWS AS LUNCH LOOMS
With just 15 minutes to go until the lunch break, New Zealand have regrouped beautifully to re-take command on this pivotal day three.
Rachin Ravindra has posted a classy half-century, as the hosts’ lead grew to 131. He and Daryl Mitchell, 37, have put the fight back to Australia and its paying off.
The life is out of the wicket a touch and there’s almost a feeling of inevitability about how this session is playing out.
Are Australia just waiting for the new ball? It’s due in 5 overs. But it can’t be the be-all-and-end-all.
They need Nathan Lyon to find something from this pitch. It’s New Zealand’s session unless Australia can fashion a blow in the last few overs before the main break.
10.30AM: THE LYON-TAMERS
Nathan Lyon was Australia’s chief destroyer to finish off the first Test, taking six second-innings wickets in Wellington as New Zealand fell to pieces.
He will, again, be front and centre of their plans today. But so far, through 11 overs, New Zealand have quietly tamed the frontline spinner.
Lyon is 0-35 from his 11 overs so far, and is bowling in a tight corridor without success so far.
Ravindra and Mitchell continue to score freely, their partnership having passed 50 now - and Ravindra has notched a half-century of his own, as Australia cycle through pace-bowling partners to accompany Lyon.
Mitchell Marsh has been thrown the ball. Can he buy a wicket? The second new ball is still 11 overs away.
10.05AM: AUSTRALIA OWN THE MORNING WITH EARLY BLOW
It’s drinks in the first session, and I’d say Australia will be the happier side out of the two based on the first hour of play.
The wicket of Tom Latham was a big one, and puts a lot of pressure on the current partnership of Ravindra and Mitchell.
One more wicket, and the back-end of the middle order is exposed – with a long tail to boot.
But the runs have also flowed this morning, and it looks like this has turned into a nice batting deck.
Ravindra has helped push the hosts lead almost to 100, and a big score here will start to plant seeds of doubt in the Australian minds.
9.50AM: KIWIS REFOCUS, RAVINDRA STARTS TO ATTACK
There’s no signs of a Kiwi collapse, unlike in their previous three innings of this series.
After the early blow of losing the well-set Tom Latham, the Black Caps have refocused and are making the most of a good batting wicket.
Rachin Ravindra looks the danger man for Australia to battle, and he’s started to up the runrate in recent overs – with attack the best form of defence, it seems.
Sitting back on your haunches against this Australian attack is simply waiting for the bullet with your name on it. So Ravindra is taking the aggressive approach. And it’s working.
He’s up to 35, and has added 19 runs in quick time with the new man in Daryl Mitchell.
9.25AM: WICKET! CUMMINS THE DRS KING
Oh boy that is a huge moment in this day’s play. Tom Latham is out – after a brilliant review from Pat Cummins and Alex Carey.
Latham feathered a chance to Carey off Cummins, but it also hit the back pad and that caused the confusion.
Carey is insistent that there were two noises and that’s enough encouragement for Cummins to chance a review.
It’s a genius play.
Because there’s a tiny inside edge, and a spike on UltraEdge, which sends Latham packing for 73. New Zealand are 3-155 with a lead of 61.
“That has just opened the door this morning for the Aussies to maybe walk through,” says Brendan Julian in commentary.
9.15AM: HOW COSTLY WILL CAREY DROP BE?
The biggest talking point at the end of day two was the sloppy miss by the normally sure-handed Alex Carey.
Carey spilled a chance going to his left, in front of first slip, off the bat of Tom Latham – then on 59.
Josh Hazlewood managed to get the ball to sing late in the day, and caught the edge of Latham, but Carey grassed the relatively straightforward chance.
Latham has moved into the 70s this morning, as New Zealand’s lead extended past 50.
If turns this into a big century, and New Zealand builds an imposing fourth-innings target, that error is sure to weigh heavily on Carey’s mind.
9AM: WHAT IS A CHASEABLE TARGET?
We have a fascinating day of Test cricket ahead of us – with everyone in agreement that this match is very evenly poised.
After their gallant fightback yesterday, New Zealand are 2-135 and in a good position. But even so, their lead is just 40.
But what is a dangerous target on this pitch? Australia’s batting has proven fragile throughout the summer, and anything more than 250 could be tricky. Although the pitch looks as though it may have flattened out.
Mitchell Marsh had a figure in mind, however.
“I hope we’re not chasing 300 – but I’ll back us in to chase anything,” he told Fox Cricket before play.
7AM: MARNUS’ PENALTY THREAT IN KEY KNOCK
– DANIEL CHERNY
Marnus Labuschagne has revealed umpire Marais Erasmus threatened the prospect of penalty runs for straying too far from his crease while the Australian No. 3 batted on Saturday.
Labuschagne’s droughtbreaking 90 against New Zealand was marked by repeat ventures down the wicket.
However, the Queenslander had to temper his method after Erasmus warned him that he was tracking towards the restricted “danger zone”.
“So there’s a few different conversations,” Labuschagne said.
“One I was marking my guard too close to the danger zone.
“So then my first step was inside the danger zone. Which I don’t think is allowed.
“There’s still a little bit conjecture, need a bit of clarity but and then when I was walking out of my crease it’s a little bit like charging you know, if I’m doing it every ball you know, they can deem that that is damaging the pitch and I can get docked penalty runs.
“So when I was walking it was just a matter of making sure that I started far enough back so that I was just inside the danger zone and then moving into it or if I wanted to walk more consistently then probably have to do what Greeny (Cameron Green) did last week and this week where you’re almost charging the batter like if it was a spinner, they can’t have too much fault with that.
“But the chat out there wasn’t as clear as that.
“I think it was more umpire’s discretion if they think it’s affecting the wicket.”
Erasmus is standing in his final Test match after announcing his retirement last month.
Join us for all of the action from day 3 of the Second Test in Christchurch on Sunday.
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