Wellington: Part-time off-spinner Glenn Phillips took 5/45 as New Zealand bowled out Australia for 164 in their second innings on Saturday on the third day of the first Test.
Phillips’s maiden five-wicket haul comprised the wickets of Usman Khawaja (28), first-innings century-maker Cameron Green (34), Travis Head (29), Mitch Marsh for
a first-ball duck and Alex Carey (3).
Matt Henry took 3/36 as Australia were bowled in less than four hours.
Australia still increased their overall lead to 368 after leading by 204 on the first innings score. At stumps, New Zealand were 111/3 and still 257 runs behind.
Rachin Ravindra reached a half-century from 77 balls just before stumps and was 56 not out at the close of play and Daryl Mitchell was on 12.
Australia struck a major blow when they dismissed Kane Williamson for 9 in
the last session. Williamson fell to Nathan Lyon, the off-spinner who likely holds the key to the match.
After being run out for 0 in the first innings, Williamson was caught by Steve Smith at leg slip from a ball that bounced more than he expected. Smith caught Will Young (15), at first slip, off Head as New Zealand’s hopes of winning began to melt away.
Ravindra revived those hopes a little before stumps with his first half-century against Australia. The only previous time he passed 50 in his Test career, he made 240.
Rain is forecast for most of Sunday, the fourth day.
AP/PTI
