Dominant Bowling Display of Hazlewood and Starc Demolishes New Zealand for 162
In a sensational display of skilful bowling, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc left New Zealand reeling at 162 runs in the second Test at Hagley Oval.
After a bright start from the host team’s openers, things rapidly unraveled.
Tea: Australia vs New Zealand 162 (Latham 38, Hazlewood 5-31, Starc 3-59)
On the first day of the second Test at Hagley Oval, Mitchell Starc passed the illustrious milestone set by Dennis Lillee with his 356th Test wicket. He then teamed up with Josh Hazlewood to terrorize a helpless New Zealand.
Everything has gone according to plan so far in Australia‘s attempt to win the series 2-0 following a significant victory in Wellington. For their third consecutive innings under 200 runs, New Zealand gave up after a dismal first ninety minutes, with Tom Latham and Will Young combining for 47 runs before Starc and Hazlewood took control.
Tim Southee, playing in his 100th Test match, and Matt Henry shared a 55-run ninth-wicket partnership that momentarily stopped Australia before tea bowled New Zealand out for 162. Starc finished with 3 for 59, while Hazlewood was excellent with 5 for 31.
Young was dismissed by Starc, tying Lillee and climbing into a joint fourth place on Australia’s all-time list. Hazlewood, however, stole the show with his flawless line and length bowling, taking four wickets before lunch, including the wicket of Kane Williamson, who was bowled out for just 17 in his 100th Test match.
Compared to Hazlewood, Starc was inconsistent and costly until he dismissed Glenn Phillips by catching him behind the leg-side, which allowed him to pass Lillee. After hitting Scott Kuggeleijn in the foot with a typical yorker that was piercing, Starc was on a roll and had him leg before wicket with the first ball.
Bowling first had paid off for Pat Cummins, who had chosen a green-tinged surface that was predicted to level out. Although there was some movement, the conditions have not been as difficult as they were in Wellington, even with New Zealand’s meek total.
Six bowlers were deployed; in the second session, all-rounder Cameron Green was brought into the attack and removed Tom Blundell, who had appeared unfazed by the situation unlike most of his teammates.
At one point, New Zealand lost 8 for 60 in a terrible start to a historic match surrounded by milestones for Southee and Williamson. It was an abject display.
With just two Test match victories over Australia since 1993, New Zealand stuck to a seam-heavy assault, starting Ben Sears in place of injured quick Will O’Rourke. Mitchell Santner, a left-arm spinner, was again passed over.
Latham appeared confident right away and played with ease through the off side despite having only scored 202 runs at a 16.83 average in his previous 12 Test innings. Latham got off to a good start with two assured boundaries in the opening over, despite having battled against Starc over the years, including hacking against his stumps in the first innings in Wellington.
However, Young had a rough time against Cummins and Hazlewood, who attempted to manipulate him by tilting the ball toward the right-handed hitter. Travis Head attempted a difficult one-handed catch diving to his left, but Young was able to inside-edge to short leg and was given a life on 8.
After taking ten wickets on the Basin Reserve surface, which is conducive to spin, Cummins switched to Nathan Lyon in the twelfth over. However, at Hagley Oval, spin has never been advantageous; Lyon’s onslaught was the first time a spinner had ever entered the ground early.
With just two overs bowled, Lyon had little opportunity to produce spin, and Latham made an immediate impression by swiping the opening ball to the boundary.
Before Starc reappeared, Australia had to endure a wicket-less first session. In the 19th over, Mitchell Marsh completed a difficult low catch at third slip, which brought about the collapse of New Zealand and ended Young’s tumultuous innings.
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Australia had elected to bowl first in Test matches for the 29th time since 1998, but they had only taken longer to get a wicket twice.
By lunchtime, Australia had taken command when Hazlewood dismissed Latham and Rachin Ravindra, who had attempted a reckless drive and edged to slip. After the interval, New Zealand took a deeper tumble, and Ravindra threw back his head and trudged off in disgust.
When Daryl Mitchell arrived to bat in the opening Test in Wellington, the situation facing New Zealand prevented him from playing with much aggression. Once more, he arrived with his team in danger and got off to a cautious start, only to be caught behind another brilliant delivery from Hazlewood.
After receiving a standing ovation upon his arrival, Williamson was resolved to atone for his horrifying first Test match failure, which was a rare double-failure. He took advantage of some rare loose deliveries from Cummins, and as Williamson looked on miserably, he was trapped on the crease by a ball that angled back from Hazlewood.
For the fourth consecutive Test match, Australia will select an unchanged team, and for the seventh straight game, they will use the same quartet of bowlers.
Before the game, the players presented a guard of honor to retiring umpire Marais Erasmus.
