Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Saturday, 28 November 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
New Zealand’s paceman Tim Southee (R) bowls against Australia during the first day-night cricket Test match at the Adelaide Oval on November 27, 2015. AFP PHOTO
Australia’s David Warner fields the pink ball during the first day of the third cricket test match against New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval, in South Australia, November 27, 2015. REUTERS
In the spotlight: The first day of day-night Test cricket had over 47,000 fans in attendance, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, 1st day, Adelaide, November 27, 205 - Getty IMages
AFP: New Zealand were skittled for 202 but hit back with the key wicket of David Warner on an eventful opening day in the historic day-night Test in Adelaide on Friday.
In a ringing endorsement for the pink ball concept, 47,441 fans thronged into the Adelaide Oval for the first day-night Test in its 138-year history.
It was the biggest international crowd at the Adelaide Oval since England’s headline-grabbing 1932-33 Bodyline series in Australia.
Mitchell Starc, the new leader of Australia’s pace attack, and new ball partner Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets each before Starc was forced from the field with an ankle injury.
But the Kiwis fought back with two wickets, including the prolific-scoring Warner for just one, to have the home side battening down against the swinging pink ball under lights.
At the close, Australia were 54 for two with skipper Steve Smith not out 24 and Adam Voges on nine.
Starc put the skids under the Kiwis removing in-form Kane Williamson (22), skipper Brendon McCullum (4) and debutant Mitchell Santner (31) as the Black Caps succumbed in 65.2 overs.
But the left-arm speedster was forced from the field before the dinner break after limping on a troublesome right ankle and later went for scans.
The Kiwis never recovered from losing three wickets in 11 balls and were all out in the final night session with Hazlewood claimed two late wickets to finish with a three-wicket haul.
Tom Latham was out attempting to cut spinner Nathan Lyon and was caught behind by Peter Nevill for 50. Ross Taylor, who amassed the highest score of 290 by a touring batsman in Australia in last week’s drawn Perth Test, followed seven balls later.
Taylor edged recalled Peter Siddle to Nevill for 21 and skipper Brendon McCullum’s miserable scoring series continued when he was out to an injudicious slash outside off-stump.
The Black Caps, needing a win to draw the three-Test series after losing the Brisbane opener, opted to bat after winning the toss in the much-anticipated Test match featuring a pink ball for the first time.
New Zealand, unbeaten in their last seven Test series since 2013, will have to win the historic Test to draw the series after Australia won the Brisbane opener by 208 runs and last week’s second Test in Perth finished in a high-scoring draw.
