New Zealand coach Gary Stead admits the side ‘got it wrong’ after the 172-run loss. Australia are 1-0 up in the NZ vs AUS Test series after winning at Wellington. Stead confesses that this wasn’t the same Basin Reserve they had seen over the years.
NZ vs AUS: Kiwi coach on 172-run drubbing
“We got that wrong, put our hand up around that as well. It’s not what we expected, not what we’ve seen from the Basin Reserve in the past either.
“I think it’s maybe a little bit the dryness of our summer has made things a little bit different to what we normally see here.
“We put our hands up as well and say there’s a couple of times we haven’t got it right, but we’ll say try and again balance out over five days, not just over one or two days.”
Nathan Lyon wrecks New Zealand hopes
Chasing a target of 369, New Zealand started day four with cautious optimism. However, their hopes were dashed early on Day 4. Nathan Lyon ran through the batting order, claiming three quick wickets in two overs. This included the crucial dismissals of Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, and Glenn Phillips, effectively ending New Zealand’s resistance.
Lyon’s Match-Winning Performance:
Lyon, who also emerged as the top scorer in Australia’s second innings with 41 runs, proved to be the hero of the match. He finished with a stellar 10-wicket haul (6 for 65 and 4 for 43), the first 10-wicket haul by a spinner in New Zealand since 2006.
Editors pick
