Australia v New Zealand: Mitchell Starc-inspired hosts claim 296-run win in first Test
- Published
Australia's Mitchell Starc finished with match figures of 9-97 after following up his five-wicket haul in New Zealand's first innings with 4-45 in the second
First Test, Optus Stadium, Perth (day four of five): |
Australia 416 & 217-9 dec: Burns 53, Labuschagne 50; Southee 5-69 |
New Zealand 166 & 171: Watling 40; Starc 4-45, Lyon 4-63 |
Australia won by 296 runs |
Mitchell Starc helped Australia to a 296-run victory over New Zealand in Perth's first ever day-night Test, ending the match with nine wickets.
Starc, 29, who took five wickets in the first innings, followed up with 4-45 in the second as the visitors, set 468 to win, were bowled out for 171.
Spinner Nathan Lyon was also instrumental, taking the key wicket of captain Kane Williamson in his 4-63.
The second Test of the series starts in Melbourne at 23:30 GMT on 25 December.
Having trailed by 250 runs after the first innings, the Kiwis were set a mammoth 468 to win on a deteriorating pitch when Australia declared at 217-9 in their second innings.
New Zealand lost their first wicket with just six runs on the board and were unable to push the match into a fifth day after pace bowlers Starc and Pat Cummins (2-31) bowled aggressively under the lights.
The final five wickets fell for just 17 runs as Australia took control of the three-match series, carrying on the form that saw them claim back-to-back innings victories in their recent series win over Pakistan.
"We are getting there, but we can get better," said Australia captain Tim Paine, whose side are fifth in the international Test rankings, with New Zealand second.
"We are still improving, but certainly over the last 18 months there has been drastic improvement in this cricket team."
Marnus Labuschagne's impressive form with the bat has provided a catalyst.
While Starc took the plaudits with the ball, Labuschagne, 25, hit a third successive Test century in the hosts' first-innings total of 419, passing the 1,000-run mark for the year on his way to 143.
New Zealand replied with 166 all out and were left facing a record run chase to save the game after Australia's declaration in the second innings.
Marnus Labuschagne passed 1,000 runs for the year after hitting a third successive Test century in Australia's victory over New Zealand
Labuschagne's heroics with the bat have come at a time when Ashes hero Steve Smith has been struggling for form.
For the first time in his career, Smith has gone three Tests without a half-century, but Paine actually views that as a positive.
"We needed other guys to stand up and can't be reliant on Steve," he said.
"If we want to be one of the better teams in the world guys have got to stand up and we can't be reliant on too few."
New Zealand captain Williamson, meanwhile, has highlighted their comparative lack of preparation under the lights as a major factor in the heavy defeat - Australia had thrashed Pakistan with the pink ball in Adelaide earlier in December.
"There are some parts to the pink ball Test that are unique, especially the night-time part," said Williamson.
"Australia were outstanding throughout this game. Their pink ball tactics were right on point."