AUS vs NZ Day-Night Test Report: Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon Star as Australia Thrash New Zealand by 296 runs to Take 1-0 Lead

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc picked up a nine-wicket match haul as Australia recorded one of their biggest wins over New Zealand on day of the first Test at Perth Stadium on Sunday. Starc’s sensational spell of fast bowling we well supported by veteran legspinner Nathan Lyon, who snared four-for in the second innings as Australia thumped New Zealand by 296 runs in the Day-Night Test.

Setting a mammoth target of 468 runs before the Kiwis, the hosts rode Starc (4/45), Nathan Lyon (4/63) and Pat Cummins’ (2/31) superb bowling effort to skittle out their opponents at just 171 runs as the contest ended within four days of play.

Chasing the huge target, the visitors never looked in control and were jolted at regular intervals as the Kiwi batters failed to develop any big partnership and succumbed before the Aussie bowling attack.

Wicketkeeper BJ Watling was the top-scorer for the visitors with his 40 run contribution while Colin de Grandhomme chipped in with 33 runs when all other Kiwi batsmen failed to show some fight. The duo were involved in a brief 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket but after Grandhomme’s departure, the Kiwi lower order fell like a pack of cards.

Australia win!

The hosts take a one-nil lead in the Trans-Tasman Series after a comprehensive 296-run win. #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/1sCkDeYD2G

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2019

Earlier, opting to bat first, Marnus Labuschagne’s 143 followed by Travis Head’s 56 guided Australia to a healthy 416 in the first innings before they bundled out New Zealand for 166 runs, taking a 250-run lead.

Starc was also the wrecker-in-chief for the hosts in the first essay as he had scalped five wickets for 52 runs.

Later, the Aussies declared their innings at 217/9 as Tim Southee starred for the Kiwis with figures of 5/69 while Joe Burns (53) and Labuschagne (50) slammed half-centuries for the hosts to set a challenging 468-run target before their opponents based on their first-innings lead.

Both the teams will now meet in the second Test of the rubber, starting December 26 in Melbourne.

Brief scores: Australia 416 and 217/9(d) beat New Zealand 166 and 171-all out (BJ Watling 40, Colin de Grandhomme 33; Mitchell Starc 4/45) by 296 runs.