Nathan Lyon yesterday took his first five-wicket haul at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as Australia bowled out New Zealand for 251 before extending their lead to 243 runs on day 3 of the third Test.
At stumps, Australia were 40 without loss after dismissing New Zealand in the final hour of the day.
David Warner (23 not out) and Joe Burns (16 not out) comfortably played out the remaining 16 overs, leaving Australia well-placed to push for a 3-0 series sweep.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Lyon was the standout bowler, making the most of the slow and variable bounce to claim 5-68, his best figures in nine Tests at his home ground.
“I don’t mind if it’s slow if there is something else,” Lyon said. “There’s a bit of bounce, obviously spin as well, and there’s starting to be some variable bounce.”
“It’s quite special to go up on the honors board and take five wickets at your home, in front of your family and friends,” he said.
Glenn Phillips made a skillful, but at times fortunate, 52 on debut to lead New Zealand’s innings. Tom Latham made 49 as several of the New Zealand batsmen made starts and then found ways to get out and stall any momentum.
After New Zealand’s openers navigated a full session without losing a wicket on the evening of day 2, their position in the match deteriorated quickly yesterday as wickets fell regularly.
Tom Blundell failed to add to his overnight 34 before getting himself in a tangle from a Lyon delivery that went through his legs, hit his pad and bounced onto the stumps.
Jeet Raval, in the team for the ill Kane Williamson, and Latham combined for a 49-run partnership and looked comfortable against Australia’s attack until Lyon was brought back to bowl. The off-spinner removed Raval LBW for 31.
Two deliveries later, Latham’s solid innings ended in a soft fashion when the stand-in skipper chipped straight to Mitchell Starc at mid-on off Pat Cummins to reduce the tourists to 117-3.
After lunch, New Zealand needed to build a big partnership to cut inroads into Australia’s lead, but had the worst possible start when Cummins’ had Ross Taylor (22) out LBW with his first ball.
B.J. Watling never found any rhythm on the slow, dry pitch before he dragged a wide Mitchell Starc delivery onto his stumps to be out for 9 and reduce the tourists to 163-5.
Phillips and Colin de Grandhomme (20) then set about building some momentum and added 32 together before De Grandhomme opted to take an ill-advised second run off Marnus Labuschagne’s first ball of the day and was caught short of his ground by Matthew Wade throwing from the deep. The television reply showed wicketkeeper Tim Paine received Wade’s throw and dislodge the bails with de Grandhomme fractionally short to reduce New Zealand to 195-6.
Phillips’ 113-ball innings included being twice dropped by Lyon and caught off a Pattinson no-ball, but his luck ran out two balls later when Cummins (3-44) bowled him between bat and pad.
Lyon then bowled Greg Somerville and Neil Wagner for ducks in the same over to reduce the visitors to 237-9.
Despite having a broken thumb sustained on the first morning, Matt Henry batted, but was soon Lyon’s fifth victim, stumped by Paine.
Lyon will also likely benefit during New Zealand’s second innings as the pitch further deteriorates.
“I don’t know if it’s going to spin, if it hits the rough, or go straight,” Lyon said. “So my job is to bowl consistent lines and length and make sure I’m challenging these guys’ defense.”
“If I don’t know [what will happen], I can guarantee the batters don’t,” he said.
S AFRICA-ENGLAND
AFP, CAPE TOWN
England took a 46-run first-innings lead when South Africa were bowled out for 223 on day 3 of the second Test at Newlands yesterday.
James Anderson completed the 28th five-wicket haul of his Test career by taking both South Africa’s remaining wickets. He finished with 5-40.
Ben Stokes took a record-equalling five catches in the filed.
In England’s second innings, they had made 109-2 at tea last night, a lead of 155.
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