Australian player Nathan Lyon enriches his cricket legacy on Day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand. Nathan Lyon showed off his bowling prowess during New Zealand’s first innings, surpassing legendary West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh’s record.
The team led by Pat Cummins showed dominance during the series opener at Basin Reserve in Wellington. The visitors defeated the Tim Southee-led team by just 179 runs in the first innings. They took a substantial lead of 204 runs after both teams’ first innings.
Nathan Lyon emerged as Australia’s leading wicket-taker, taking four wickets for 43 runs during his spell. Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets while Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh contributed one wicket each on the second day of the ongoing match.
Nathan Lyon surpasses Courtney Walsh’s record during the first test
On Friday 1 March, Nathan Lyon surpassed Courtney Walsh’s wicket tally to become the seventh highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket. The off-spinner achieved this important milestone after taking the wicket of New Zealand captain Tim Southee.
Lyon has taken 521 wickets in 128 Tests, at an average of 30.57, and his best bowling figures in an innings were 8/50. Walsh took 519 wickets in 132 Tests at an impressive average of 24.44. Notably, James Anderson (698) has more wickets than Lyon among active cricketers.
Lyon has achieved several milestones and set records in his Test career. He has demonstrated remarkable endurance and exceptional precision. He is still behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble, Stuart Broad and Glenn McGrath.
Australia takes huge first innings lead in ongoing first test match
Earlier, the visiting team resumed play on the second day at 277-9. They managed to score 383 runs in their first innings. Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood added an outstanding 116-run stand for the 10th wicket. Green scored an unbeaten 174 off 275 deliveries.
The visitors managed to eliminate New Zealand in one and a half sessions on the second day. New Zealand scored 179 runs in the first innings, conceding a significant lead of 204 runs. Glenn Phillips top scored with 71 runs off 70 deliveries, aided by 13 boundaries.
Australia resumed their batting innings and decided not to impose the follow-on. However, they faced early setbacks and lost wickets quickly, reaching 4-2 in the fifth over. Tim Southee picked up the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in the final session.
In a strategic move to avoid further losses, the Australian team sent Nathan Lyon as night watchman at number 4 for the rest of the day. However, Lyon survived on the last ball of the second day when Tim Southee caught the bowling of Matt Henry.
New Zealand vs Australia Playing XI:
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee(c), Scott Kuggeleijn, William Rourke
Australia: Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
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