New Zealand's chances of completing its first series win over Australia in 30 years took a retrograde step on the opening day of the first test.
A sub-standard batting display, dropped catches and a dubious no-ball call from umpire Richard Illingworth means that to stay in the game it will require its third rearguard second innings in as many seasons at the venue.
The Black Caps were sent in and dismissed for 183 in 48 overs by tea. The Australian bowling, particularly from Josh Hazlewood, was clinical, but the home side looked to be nursing a hangover from its triumphant Chappell-Hadlee one-day international series. ‘‘Caught'' appeared 10 times in the scorebook, including four pouches for wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Australia slumped to five for two in response, courtesy of Tim Southee. Hopes of retribution were ignited for local fans until they were snuffed by a 126-run third-wicket stand between Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith.
Both offered chances that were not taken. Smith edged to second slip Mark Craig off Doug Bracewell on 18 and then Khawaja misjudged the angle on 34 as he danced down to nick a Craig off-spinner, but so did wicketkeeper BJ Watling.
‘‘I probably owe the boys 50 runs,'' Craig said. ‘‘And that catch could have gone to BJ on another day, but that's the rub of the green.''
Craig eventually removed Smith caught and bowled for 71; Khawaja remained not out 57.
Adam Voges was unbeaten on seven after getting bowled by a Bracewell ‘‘no-ball'' in the last over. The delivery appeared legitimate.
‘‘Once the arm is thrown out, there's not much you can do about it. Obviously, we're disappointed,'' Craig said.
‘‘We were just hoping it didn't come up on the big screen too quickly,'' Hazlewood quipped in relation to Mitchell Marsh's catch off his boot toe in the final one-dayer.
The Black Caps can take solace that they have been inserted in the previous two tests in Wellington and were dismissed for 221 (against Sri Lanka) and 192 (against India). They responded with declarations of 524 for five and 680 for eight to win and draw those respective matches.
However, a loss in Wellington would leave only the chance of levelling the series in the second test in Christchurch.
A thatch of grass was left on the pitch by first-time test groundsman Hagen Faith to assist with seam movement. That compounded the New Zealand batsmen's difficulty in deciding when to leave outside off stump against some sublime bowling.
The home side struggled to muster momentum after going to lunch at 84 for five.
Hazlewood's opening eight overs from the RA Vance End returned three for 25; he finished with four for 42 from 14 overs. Peter Siddle backed him with figures of 12-5-37-3. Nathan Lyon's three for 32 helped mop the tail.
The tepid individual highlights for the New Zealanders included Mark Craig's 41 not out, Corey Anderson's 38 off 87 balls, and No11 Trent Boult's three sixes in his 24.
Craig and Boult flayed 46 runs for the 10th wicket, the highest stand of the innings. Boult was eventually caught at long-on by Khawaja as he tangoed with the boundary rope.
Anderson took 17 balls to get off the mark but tests tend to favour tortoises more than hares. He eked out a mini survival plan.
In the 12th over, New Zealand's collapse reached its nadir as it flailed at 51 for five. It had lost four wickets in 29 balls.
When captain Brendon McCullum went for a seven-ball duck, the only sound clearly heard was the hum of traffic circling the perimeter roundabout. The standing ovation which brought him to the crease, in his world-record 100th consecutive test from debut, was replaced by eerie silence. - The New Zealand Herald
