<p>On the first day of the first Test in Wellington, Australia reached 279-9 at stumps thanks to a brilliant innings by Cameron Green, which was just his second Test century.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-461308″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-first-test-between-new-zealand-and-australia-cameron-green-century-leads-australia.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com first test between new zealand and australia cameron green century leads australia” width=”998″ height=”665″ title=”First Test between New Zealand and Australia: Cameron Green Century leads Australia to 279/9 at Stumps 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-first-test-between-new-zealand-and-australia-cameron-green-century-leads-australia.jpg 510w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-first-test-between-new-zealand-and-australia-cameron-green-century-leads-australia-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px” /></p>
<p>After being sent into bat at the Basin Reserve, the visitors were teetering on 89-4 until Green dug in for a rescue effort with Mitchell Marsh (40).</p>
<p>With Josh Hazlewood still without a run, the 24-year-old finished the first day on 103 after reaching three digits with his 16th four in the last over.</p>
<p>“It feels great, especially considering where we were as a team,” Green said.</p>
<p>“That was a rather difficult wicket to be in there. I’m pleased I was the one who had to step up and take the lead. It was enjoyable to persevere and, ideally, post a somewhat competitive total.</p>
<p>Green, batting at number four, rallied to finish 4-43 on a green pitch after New Zealand seamer Matt Henry claimed the crucial wickets of Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Marsh.</p>
<p>Before lunch, Henry bowled Khawaja for 33, removed Smith for 31, and then got Marsh and Nathan Lyon for five.</p>
<p>After rejoining the team, Scott Kuggeleijn claimed two wickets as well, dismissing Alex Carey for ten and the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne for one.</p>
<p>Rising sensation Will O’Rourke of the Black Caps, who claimed nine wickets in his debut earlier this month, grabbed two more from Travis Head (1) and Mitchell Starc (9).</p>
<p>Green predicted that on Friday, the Australian fast bowlers will have several of options at the wicket.</p>
<p>He said, “I think they are just on top, but it’s pretty close.” “We have to bowl well tomorrow because they have a good batting lineup.”</p>
<p>Marsh and Green provided the opposition with a partnership of 67 runs off 77 balls.</p>
<p>However, Marsh fell to Henry after being taken off guard by Tom Blundell, and Carey then weakly slapped a Kuggeleijn delivery to Kane Williamson, who was hiding.</p>
<p>As stumps drew near, New Zealand launched an assault on Australia’s rear, dismissing Lyon, Pat Cummins, and Starc in the span of 57 runs.</p>
<p>Tim Southee and the fast bowlers from New Zealand were thwarted by Smith and Khawaja after they won the toss, as they piled on 61 runs until Henry made the breakthrough.</p>
<p><strong>diving capture</strong></p>
<p>After David Warner retired, Smith was elevated to open for the second consecutive Test match and went on to crush four boundaries in 71 deliveries.</p>
<p>After Henry got him to play back, Blundell made a diving grab in front of first slip with a delivery that nipped and removed the edge.</p>
<p>Following a defensive hit, Labuschagne left the field, giving Daryl Mitchell a thick outside edge at the slip off Kuggeleijn. Khawaja and Head came in rapid succession.</p>
<p>Before Head attempted to tackle O’Rourke, but failed, Henry’s inswinger knocked off Khawaja’s stump and the ball was clipped to Blundell.</p>
<p>Henry struck again just after tea, with Australia’s Twenty20 captain trying a pull shot that ended up in Blundell’s palms, after Marsh had hit six fours and a six.</p>
<p>O’Rourke had Starc caught at second slip before Carey left for 10 to leaving Australia on 176-6.</p>
<p>Spinner Rachin Ravindra trapped Cummins leg before wicket, and Henry took his fourth when Lyon was caught behind as well.</p>
<p>After sweeping South Africa 2-0 this month, New Zealand entered the two-match series searching for their first Test win against Australia since 2011.</p>
