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Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test: Labuschagne keeps Aussies with nose in front of NZ

The doggedness of Marnus Labuschagne ensured Australia kept its nose in front of New Zealand despite another underwhelming performance from the top order. Relive the Day 1 action inside.

Ben Horne, Daniel Cherny and Shannon Gill
11 min read
4:42PMMarch 08, 2024.
Updated 5:51PMMarch 08, 2024
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Australia's Josh Hazlewood led the pace battery. Picture: AFP
Australia's Josh Hazlewood led the pace battery. Picture: AFP

The doggedness of Marnus Labuschagne ensured Australia kept its nose in front of New Zealand despite another underwhelming performance from the tourists’ top order.

The brilliance of Josh Hazlewood (5-31) helped steamroll the Black Caps for 162 after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl, but Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green and Travis Head all fell in the final session to leave the Aussies 4-124 at stumps on day one of a Test that looks destined for a quick finish.

Labuschagne defied difficult batting conditions at Hagley Oval to pass 10 in Test cricket for the first time since the opening week of January, surviving to be unbeaten on 45 at the close of play. Nightwatcher Nathan Lyon is one not out, providing him with the chance to frustrate the Black Caps as he did on day three of the first Test.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne kept the tourists on top - just - after another underwhelming top order performance. Picture: AFP
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne kept the tourists on top - just - after another underwhelming top order performance. Picture: AFP

Smith’s middling start to life as a Test opener continued after being trapped by debutant quick Ben Sears for 11, falling on the wrong side of an umpire’s call decision from Nitin Menon after choosing not to play a ball that nipped back that Menon deemed to be brushing off stump.

Khawaja once more batted time only to be bowled off his pads for 16 by Matt Henry, who got through Green’s gate to remove the all-rounder for 25 before Head bottom-edged an attempted pull to give Henry his third scalp for a quickfire 21.

It meant that for the umpteenth time since the start of the home summer, Australia’s middle and lower order will need to help dig the side out of a tricky spot.

Despite the challenges of a seaming wicket, Labuschagne worked nicely into his innings and looked largely in control.

Hazlewood said it was clear Labuschagne had been putting in the hours to turn around his form.

Josh Hazlewood was chief destroyer as the Aussie quicks rolled through New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images
Josh Hazlewood was chief destroyer as the Aussie quicks rolled through New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s always working super hard,” Hazlewood said.

“I don’t think anyone bats in the nets longer than him maybe Smithy, but they’re usually in there together doing their thing. So a lot of the stuff we don’t even really see.

“(When it’s) optional training we’re resting up, getting ready for the game and they’re still in the nets batting and throwdowns and facing bowlers and whatever it is, talking batting, talking cricket, so they love that sort of stuff.

“Yeah, he’s worked as hard as ever.”

The paceman suggested that a lead of 100 would leave Australia well-placed on a pitch that had quickened up after the first drinks break.

Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood, have the tourists in front in New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images
Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood, have the tourists in front in New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

“I think we’re we’re ahead,” Hazlewood said.

:Would’ve liked to be two or three down at the end of today, but with the amount of seam movement, if we can get a triple-figure lead I think that’d be unreal.

“If it continues to play like this - if it flattens out I think we obviously we’lll push and push for as many as we can get but if the seam movement continues I think 100 lead’s a pretty good position.

“I thought the first hour the wicket was quite slow and not much bounce but then I think once the sun sort of baked it for that first hour it quickened up a bit and that’s probably when we saw a few nicks I guess.

“There was that little bit of nip there all day, a little bit of swing so there’s plenty there for the quicks for sure.

“Fourteen wickets in a day, so it’s obviously doing enough.

“I always thought it would come to life. I think it probably gets flatter as the game goes on here.”

Relive the action from day one here.

4:33pm (Stumps) Aussies in box seat but batting woes continue

There was good news and bad news for Australia as stumps were drawn on day one in Christchurch.

The good news: Marnus Labuschagne may have found his mojo again, guiding Australia to within 38 runs of New Zealand’s miserable day one total of 162. His 45 not out started scratchily but got progressively more impressive as wickets fell around him.

The bad news: Just as Daniel Cherny identified last week, Australia’s bowlers are covering all sorts of cracks in their batting. Today Josh Hazlewood’s brilliance wrecked the Kiwis and it will likely mean Australia won’t pay the price for another underwhelming performance from the bats; none of Smith, Khawaja, Green or Head topping 25.

Join us tomorrow for the Day 2 Live blog.

Australia's paceman Josh Hazlewood was the chief destroyer with five wickets. Picture: AFP
Australia's paceman Josh Hazlewood was the chief destroyer with five wickets. Picture: AFP

4:18pm Head fireworks fizzle as Kiwis hang in

It was the full Travis Head experience.

Almost chop-on and plays and misses mixed with imperious pulls and slashing drives, before a under edged pull from a ball that was nowhere near short enough brought his downfall.

It’s paradox of Travis Head, his the 21 runs for 19 balls threatened to take the game away there and then. Yet instead the Kiwis are now racing to stumps with renewed vigour. Matt Henry has three wickets and stocks that continue to rise through this series.

The Head counter attack has been fruitful for Australia over the past two years, however with Mitch Marsh batting at six there is worry that too much counter attacking can leave the middle order vulnerable.

Nathan Lyon has come to the wicket as a nightwatchman.

3:48pm Henry strikes again as Kiwis hit back

A blogger’s curse?

Just when Cam Green looked supreme, Matt Henry has come roaring back after drinks with an scything over to bring New Zealand back into the test. Henry’s extra pace turned the calm Green into a bundle of nerves, continually walking at the pacemen and getting beaten.

Henry then provided the exclamation point, blasting through Green’s defences with a peach that has stopped dead a partnership that was threatening to take the game away.

The out of form Travis Head is now in for a searching last hour examination with Australia 3-86.

3:36pm Calm Green steadies Australia

Cam Green may have come of age last test with his match-turning century, but are we now seeing him graduate to the middle order linch pin that Australian number four bats traditionally play?

Teetering at 2-32, Green has brought calm to the Australian innings and even settled the recently muddled Marnus Labuschagne. Rock solid defence and some authoritative on-drives have put a stamp on the innings thus far.

Australia has progressed to 2-81 at the final drinks break of day one.

2:42pm Khawaja loses leg stump as Aussies go two down

A torrid over from Matt Henry to Usman Khawaja has ended with the Aussie opener’s leg stump castled on the stroke of drinks in the final session.

A thin outside edge (expertly picked up by umpire Marais Erasmus in his final test) saved Khawaja from a huge lbw shout balls before, but the shuffling Khawaja couldn’t cover the pace of Henry later in the over. The Henry delivery clipped Khawaja’s pads before taking leg stump.

Openers Khawaja and Steve Smith both back in the pavilion with just 32 on the board.

The Kiwi bowlers are running in with spirit in the final sessions after their batting teammates’ pitiful performance earlier in the day.

Over to you Marnus …

Matt Henry celebrates the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Picture: Getty Images
Matt Henry celebrates the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Picture: Getty Images

2:29pm Smith brain fade gifts Blackcaps first wicket

A Steve Smith brain fade has gifted New Zealand its first wicket.

Smith did not play a shot at Kiwi debutant Ben Sears’ third ball, the ball thudding into Smith’s pads with umpire Nitin Menon answering in the affirmative for New Zealand.

A Smith review found the ball to be kissing the off stump and Smith was on his way for 11.

Smith has averaged 32.4 with the bat since taking David Warner’s opening spot, but has only passed 31 once in seven innings.

With no tests until next summer against India a large question mark hangs over the opening position for Australian selectors.

1:43pm Hazlewood’s fifth wrap us New Zealand innings

Everything is running Josh Hazlewood’s way on day one in Christchurch.

A supposed play and miss from Matt Henry provoked nothing more than anguished look from Hazlewood and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, yet Cameron Green’s insistence that he heard an edge resulted in a review and the end of the New Zealand innings.

Hazlewood finished with 5-31 from 13.2 overs, his 12th five wicket haul in test cricket.

Having fallen to a paltry 8-114, Kiwi captain Tim Southee and Henry swung and sliced for an entertaining 55-run stand but it was not enough to resurrect another sickly batting display.

All out for 162 and at Tea on the first day they are staring down the barrel of another swift loss.

Mitchell Starc chipped in with 3-59 in support of Hazlewood.

12:50pm Green gets in on action as Kiwis collapse

Cameron Green has got in on the rout in Christchurch, but Mitchell Starc has narrowly missed out on a hat-trick.

The Black Caps are in major trouble at 8-114 after being sent in by Australian captain Pat Cummins – a genius move.

Starc had a shot at a hat-trick bowling to Matt Henry and although he jammed up the tailender, couldn’t quite get through his defences.

Cameron Green had Tom Blundell out as the eighth victim.

12:39 Starc on hat-trick as New Zealand wilt in Christchurch

Mitchell Starc is on a hat-trick in Christchurch after removing Glenn Phillips and Scott Kuggeleijn in successive balls.

New Zealand are now 7-107.

All seven wickets have fallen for just 60 runs.

12:11pm Williamson becomes Hazlewood’s fourth victim

Kane Williamson’s less than flattering record against Australia has continued as he became Josh Hazlewood’s fourth victim in Christchurch.

New Zealand has now lost 5-23 after dominating the first 90 minutes of day one.

Hazlewood has four of those five wickets and has simply dismantled the New Zealand top order.

The rout completely justifies Pat Cummins’ decision to send New Zealand in and bowl first in the second and final trans-Tasman Test.

It was a disappointing way for Williamson to depart in his 100th Test for New Zealand.

A great player for the Black Caps, his one soft spot has been against Australia, and he has now been out cheaply in both Tests.

12:05pm Hazlewood’s brilliant morning rolls on

Josh Hazlewood has done it again.

The big Aussie quick gets the edge from Daryl Mitchell and New Zealand is teetering at 4-79.

The Kiwis have lost 3-18 after getting to 1-61 and are in real trouble on the opening day at Hagley Oval.

11:09 Hazlewood takes back-to-back wickets as Australia get on top

Josh Hazlewood has ensured Australia go to lunch on top in the second Test at Christchurch after nicking off danger man Rachin Ravindra in the last over before the break.

New Zealand had dominated the first hour and a half of proceedings, but slumped to lose three quick wickets to be 3-71 at lunch on day one.

Australia’s run all started thanks to an unbelievable catch from Mitchell Marsh at third slip off Mitchell Starc to dismiss opener Will Young.

Then Hazlewood chimed in to dismiss Tom Latham (38) and Ravindra in a brilliant sequence of fast bowling, justifying Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first in the Test.

10:42am Hazlewood dismisses key man Tom Latham as Australia finally gets on top

Just as commentators had been talking up the discipline and technique of Kiwi opening batsman Tom Latham, Josh Hazlewood took his outside edge to put Australia on top in the Christchurch Test.

Latham looked extremely organised through the first session, but 17 minutes before lunch, was out nicking for 38 off 69 balls.

New Zealand are 2-61 and Australia will finally feel in charge of proceedings, but after winning the toss and sending the kiwis in, the visitors have really had to work for it.

Hazlewood’s wicket quickly followed the initial breakthrough of Mitchell Starc, who had Will Young caught thanks to a scintillating catch from Mitchell Marsh at third slip.

The match is now on the line for New Zealand. Their two gun batsmen Kane Williamson – playing his 100th Test – and youngster Rachin Ravindra are both at the crease. This is the key partnership.

10:30AM Cummins desperately hunts for first wicket as Kiwis build solid base

Australian captain Pat Cummins was forced to get desperate in his hunt for a first kiwi wicket in the Christchurch Test after winning the toss and sending New Zealand in.

Never before at Hagley Oval has a spinner been introduced to the attack as soon as Cummins’ decision to turn to Lyon in just the 12th over of day one of the second Test.

Hagley has always been a pace bowler’s pitch, and in its 12-match history, quicks have taken 349 wickets at an average of 29.

Spinners in that same time frame, have taken just 34 wickets at an average of 53.

Despite that damning record, Cummins opted to turn to Lyon early as he searched for an early breakthrough.

By the 17th over, Cummins had used five bowlers, with Mitchell Marsh also called into the attack.

New Zealand were comfortable at 0-47, when finally the breakthrough came.

Mitchell Starc managed to get a leading edge from opener Will Young and it was taken superbly by Marsh at third slip.

Fox Cricket commentator Brendon Julian described it as one of the better slip catches you will see given Marsh was obstructed by the batsman trying to hit through the leg side.

Marsh saw it late, but dived instinctively to his left and caught it low to the ground in between the space between he and second slip Steve Smith.

It was a huge breakthrough for Australia given Young had already been put down by short leg Travis Head off the bowling of Pat Cummins.

That was a tough chance, but Head didn’t react as quickly as he would have liked.

When you send opposition teams in Test matches there’s always pressure to take wickets, and Australia were starting to get desperate.

9:33PM Cummins’ pace down to start Test

The Australians have got off to a slowish start in the second Test in Christchurch, with New Zealand’s opening batsmen gaining confidence early.

Cummins won the toss and sent New Zealand in on a greenish wicket, but the Aussies are taking a few overs to build into their work.

The skipper’s bowling speeds were around the mid 130s to start the day with New Zealand 0-21 after the first 8 overs.

Local commentators are tipping some assistance for bowlers but also for the Hagley Oval pitch to be on the slowish side.

There will be no panic from the Australians, with scoring rates still moderate at 2.43 an over.

9:00 Aussies win the toss

Pat Cummins has called correctly and sent New Zealand in as Australia attempts to sweep the two test series against Kiwis in Christchurch.

Cummins leads ‘one final effort’ as Australia eyes Kiwi sweep

That’s before even noting the seven-week campaign to win the World Cup last year, myriad other white-ball series, or the Indian Premier League involvement of Cameron Green.

Finally the end is nigh, with the Aussies not due to play another Test after this date with New Zealand until the home summer when they square up with India.

In between times, the Aussies have a Twenty20 World Cup in June, a handful of bilateral white-ball series – some of which are in doubt – while many are due to play in some or all of the IPL, county cricket, The Hundred and the US-based Major League Cricket.

Pat Cummins is confident his Australian side has enough in the tank to secure a 2-0 series win against New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images
Pat Cummins is confident his Australian side has enough in the tank to secure a 2-0 series win against New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

Still, this clash at Hagley Oval marks a full stop of sorts.

“We know this is the one last big push for a while, and that’s been a lot of the focus in the last week or so,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said.

“It’s getting that balance right between ‘we’ll stretch ourselves as far as we can this time’ with a few guys resting this week around training, making sure they’re right, while other guys are piling on the training.

“So it’s all geared towards this being the last big week for a while.”

More Coverage

The change that could save under-fire Labuschagne’s Test future
Robert Craddock
In-fighting ruins NZ’s twin 100th Test celebration
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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-new-zealand-2nd-test-live-scores-and-the-latest-updates/news-story/f7afe1ffda6ba39884b82b36e403249b