During the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington, Australian spin veteran Nathan Lyon achieved a distinctive batting feat by accruing the most Test runs without reaching a half-century. Lyon, acting as a nightwatchman on day two after Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissals, scored 41 runs off 46 balls, hitting six fours at a brisk strike rate of over 89. With this innings, Lyon’s Test career spanning 128 matches and 162 innings now comprises 1,501 runs at an average of 12.72, with his highest score being 47.
In the match, Australia set a challenging target of 369 runs for New Zealand. However, during their second innings, Australia could only manage to score 164 runs before being dismissed, with Lyon surprisingly emerging as the top-scorer with 41 runs. Other notable contributions came from Cameron Green (34), Travis Head (29), and Usman Khawaja (28).
The way he hit them this morning, it can only be a matter of time before Nathan Lyon is off this list #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/4ovCbcHYE6
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 1, 2024
Glenn Phillips excelled with the ball for New Zealand, taking 5 wickets for 45 runs, while Matt Henry and Tim Southee also contributed with 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
Earlier, Australia had taken a 204-run lead in the first innings, restricting New Zealand to 179 runs. Despite a shaky start at 29/5, a resilient effort from the middle and lower order, particularly Phillips, Matt Henry, and Tom Blundell, helped New Zealand put up a fight.
Lyon was the standout bowler for Australia, claiming 4 wickets for 43 runs, while Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc also chipped in with wickets.
Australia, batting first after New Zealand won the toss, initially struggled at 211/7. However, a remarkable innings from all-rounder Cameron Green, who scored an unbeaten 174 runs, along with a crucial 116-run partnership for the tenth wicket with Josh Hazlewood, propelled Australia to a total of 383 runs.
Henry was the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand, claiming a five-wicket haul, with support from William O’Rourke and Scott Kuggeleijn, who took two wickets each.
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