Wellington: Australia took control of the opening Test on Friday after a miserable day for New Zealand that left the hosts 217 runs in Wellington scrambling to stay in the match.
The visitors were 13-2 in their second innings with nightwatchman Nathan Lyon not out on six and opener Usman Khawaja on five after Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne departed cheaply.
Tim Southee bowled Smith his third ball and then had the out-of-shape Labuschagne caught behind by Tom Blundell.
However, Southee dropped Lyon in the slips late on off Matt Henry to cap a frustrating day for New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.
Cameron Green earlier smashed an unbeaten 174 to claim only his second Test century, backing up the 114 he scored in India a year ago as Australia raced to an impressive first innings total of 383 before bowling out New Zealand for 179.
Green, 24, lit up the morning session in a brilliant 116-run partnership for the last wicket with the gutsy Josh Hazlewood, who survived 62 balls for his 22 overs.
“It was good to be at the other end and watch innings like that,” Hazlewood said of Green’s performance. “It could be huge for his career. To get a second hundred for Australia was outstanding.”
Australia’s bowlers struck early, dismissing Tom Latham (5) before Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra fell for ducks in the space of five balls to reel in at 12-3.
Glenn Phillips put up the most resistance before being dismissed for 71, caught by Hazlewood’s Mitchell Starc. Australia then quickly took down New Zealand’s tail. Phillips’ sixth-wicket partnership of 84 with Tom Blundell (33) was a meager highlight.
“The pitch was moving a little bit and they were hitting in really good areas, so it was up to us to put the pressure back on them,” Phillips said.
“Obviously the way Green played with Hazlewood, they did really well and formed a massive partnership. It’s not ideal for us, but that’s Test cricket. The Black Caps never recovered from their top-order after a horror start.
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Latham bowled in the fourth over, unable to deal with Starc’s pace. It got worse when Williamson and Ravindra were out early.
Williamson was out after a comical collision with opener Will Young at mid-wicket, with Labuschagne’s pitch – perfect. More New Zealand misery followed three balls later when Ravindra was caught by Lyon at point.
Daryl Mitchell managed 11 before being outclassed by Cummins keeper Alex Carey.
Young followed next ball when he hit Mitchell Marsh, with Carey again collecting to leave New Zealand struggling at 29-5 before Blundell and Phillips steadied the ship briefly.
Phillips was eventually removed when he pulled a Hazlewood bouncer to Starc at deep backward field. Spin king Lyon finished with 4-43.
Green began the morning by picking up where he left off, adding to his overnight haul of 103 by hitting a six to push the visitors past 300 after returning to 279-2.
The 24-year-old piled on the misery for the Black Caps bowlers with another six to reach 150. His innings included 23 fours and five sixes to rescue the Australians after their top-order batsmen struggled in the first innings on Thursday.
