Day one star Josh Hazlewood says Australia have their noses in entrance of the second Test and can push for a lead over 100 runs on day two.
Hazlewood was at his finest at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday with a sensational 5-31 off 13.2 overs, together with the scalps of high Kiwi bats Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell.
His effort helped the vacationers dismiss New Zealand for 162 simply earlier than tea, leaving sufficient time for Australia to succeed in 4-124 by stumps.
“We’re ahead,” Hazlewood mentioned.
“Would have liked to be two or three down end of today, but still with the amount of seam movement, if we can get a triple-figure lead I think that’d be unreal.
“If it flattens out, we’ll push and push for as many as we will get.
“But if the same movement continues, I think a 100 lead is a pretty good position.”
Australia will resume trailing by 38 runs, with Marnus Labuschagne (45) and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (one) persevering with on the crease.
Hazlewood mentioned there weren’t doubts within the Australian camp that Labuschagne would come good after six straight innings of 10 or much less.
“He’s always working super hard,” he mentioned.
“I don’t think anyone bats in the nets longer than him. Maybe Smithy, but they’re usually in there together … batting, and throw downs and facing bowlers.
“Talking batting, speaking cricket. They love that form of stuff.”
The Black Caps will need quick wickets on day two if they’re to avoid a fifth straight defeat of Australia’s tour, after three T20s and the first Test.
Central to that effort will be Matt Henry, who is their seres leader for runs – despite batting at nine – and wickets.
Henry (3-39) claimed Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Cam Green on Friday to be on track for his own five-wicket haul.
“Josh bowled exceptionally nicely. Watching him go about his work in the present day, it was a blueprint for a way we wished to ball on the market as nicely,” Henry mentioned.
“We’re simply going to proceed to go about our work.
“We managed to get four of them tonight. But it will be a big first hour tomorrow and that’s something we’re putting our focus towards.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
