Left Arm Around

Nathan Lyon takes 6/65 as Australia complete an emphatic 172-run triumph over New Zealand in the first Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

This was Lyon’s 5th Test ‘10fer’ after finishing with match figures of 10/108.

It was also the first time a spinner has taken a 10-wicket haul in New Zealand since Muthiah Muralidaran achieved the feat in December 2006.

New Zealand began the day 111-3 and with some room for optimism, but Lyon soon ripped the heart out of the Black Caps’ line-up.

First dismissing Ravindra when a lazy cut shot nestled into the hands of Cameron Green, he then removed Blundell for 0 and pinned first innings hero Phillips LBW for 1 when a ball skidded on from around the wicket.

Scott Kuggeleijn walked to the middle with a licence to play his shots, hitting 26, though Green managed to get one to sharply rise off a length and hit the glove- Alex Carey taking a simple catch.

It was then only a matter of time for the tourists to complete victory.

Josh Hazlewood removed Matt Henry and the final wicket of Mitchell (38) to finish with 2/20, while Lyon dismissed Southee to complete his ‘10fer’ after he holed out to Starc at long-on.

It was a painful defeat no less, but it shows just how crucial that tenth-wicket partnership of 116 between Green and Hazlewood was in the first innings.

The two sides meet again for the second and final test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 7.