Ravindra, Phillips shine but Australia ahead in Wellington Test vs New Zealand
New Zealand need to make history if they are to beat Australia in the opening Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
The Black Caps need to record their highest successful run-chase in the purest format to take a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series.
Only 2 times have the Kiwis chased down a target of over 300 to win a Test, one of which came against Pakistan back in 1994 in Christchurch. However, against Australia, the Kiwis are not quite out of the game. Chasing a mammoth target of 369, the Kiwis went into Stumps on Day 3 with their score at 113 for 3.
Needing 258 more runs to win, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell have a huge task ahead of them. The duo put on an unbeaten partnership of 52 runs after the hosts were reduced to 59 for 3. Ravindra bagged a duck in the 1st innings, but he made amends to stay not out on 56 in the 2nd.
Mitchell, on the other hand, was circumspect and did not go for extravagant shots. Nathan Lyon put New Zealand under pressure with the crucial scalps of Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. Thereafter, Travis accounted for the wickets of Will Young.
But the partnership between Mitchell and Ravindra gave a breather to the home team. Given the depth of the Black Caps’ batting, one cannot rule them out by any means.
Glenn Phillips makes hay
After conceding a lead of 204 runs in their first innings, the Kiwis found themselves in all sorts of trouble. But then, Glenn Phillips came to the party and made sure that his team stayed in the hunt.
Phillips became the first New Zealand spinner since Jeetan Patel in 2008 to pick up a Test 5-wicket haul at home. Also racking up his maiden first-class fifer, Phillips finished with impressive figures of 16-4-45-5.
On the back of his spell, the hosts bowled Australia out for 164 in 51.1 overs. Interestingly, it was Lyon who top-scored for Australia in the 2nd innings. Lyon made a brisk 46 off 41 balls with 6 fours.
Matt Henry picked up 3 wickets while Tim Southee accounted for 2 scalps.