Tea New Zealand 179 & 15 for 1 (Younger 7*, Lyon 1-0) want 354 runs to beat Australia 383 & 164 (Lyon 41, Phillips 5-45, Henry 3-36)
After being disastrously run out for a duck within the first innings, Kane Williamson survived a caught behind attraction off Lyon on his first supply that Australia unsuccessfully reviewed.
Williamson nervously made it by way of, however Lyon’s menacing first over ought to make Australia more and more assured regardless of a horrendous collapse.
As they search a uncommon Check victory over Australia, New Zealand have seemingly been overawed at instances within the series-opener. However Phillips has been a standout after he top-scored for New Zealand with a defiant 71 off 70 of their disappointing first innings of 179.
Having had Usman Khawaja stumped within the first session, Phillips offered New Zealand with a a lot wanted spark shortly after the interval with the wickets of Travis Head and in-form Mitchell Marsh on consecutive deliveries.
Head, who had made only one run in his final three innings, raced to 29 off 36 balls in the kind of proactiveness that Australia aimed for in a bid to maneuver the sport ahead with showers forecast on day 5.
However he holed out to long-off earlier than Marsh was caught at brief leg as Phillips quickly was joined within the assault by the left-arm spin of Rachin Ravindra.
Phillips was on a roll as he had Alex Carey driving to Tim Southee at cowl for his fourth wicket. Cameron Inexperienced, backing up from his masterclass unbeaten 174 within the first innings, held agency with 34 from 80 balls as wickets tumbled round him earlier than poking Phillips to short-leg.
However New Zealand could rue the choice to miss frontline spinner Mitchell Santner. Regardless of Philips’ heroics, New Zealand might want to rewrite the report books if they’re to take the lead on this collection, with the very best ever run chase at Basin Reserve being 277 for 3 by Pakistan in 2003.
New Zealand’s comeback appeared unlikely when Lyon, the nightwatcher, dominated the primary half-hour of play to frustrate a New Zealand crew determined for early wickets. Having scored essentially the most runs in Check historical past with no half-century, with a highest rating of 47, Lyon fell brief after making a breezy 41 off 46 balls within the prime rating of the innings.
Lyon had survived a troublesome interval late on day two, the place he copped a blow to his physique and was dropped on the final ball of play by Southee within the slips. However he appeared extra comfy after Australia resumed at 13 for two. He dominated the strike and rode his luck to edge Southee by way of the slips within the first of three boundaries in a row.
Australia’s lead handed 250 and Lyon notched 1500 profession runs as he cashed in on wayward New Zealand bowling. Very like once they went by way of the motions towards Inexperienced and Josh Hazlewood, who mixed for a report 116-run final wicket partnership in Australia’s first innings, there was an absence of hostility from New Zealand’s quicks who principally resisted bowling brief.
However Lyon was unable to achieve his milestone after he whipped Henry to a leaping Will Younger at midwicket.
Will O’Rourke offered potent short-pitched bowling earlier than lunch, however he was compelled off the sector after failing to finish his first over of the second session as a result of a decent left hamstring.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based mostly in Perth
