The timing of the innings change worked out perfectly for Australia as they had the chance to bowl in the twilight session
Andrew McGlashan in Perth13-Dec-2019First over: Starc too quick for LathamTom Latham has been one of the in-form openers in the world over the last two years but his first innings of this series lasted two balls. Mitchell Starc sent down a short-of-a-length delivery which Latham was barely able to react to, lobbing a leading edge to the off side which Starc snaffled in his follow through. New Zealand 1 for 1.Second over: Hazlewood bursts through RavalJeet Raval, in contrast to Latham, has found things tougher. His average hovers around the low 30s and he had three low scores in the series against England to leave him low on confidence heading into one of the toughest arenas. Josh Hazlewood sent down a beautiful delivery which shaped into the left-hander and Raval aimed to work it through the leg side, but was beaten by pace and movement as his stumps were shattered. New Zealand 2 for 1.Third over: Taylor survives run-out scareHow New Zealand needed their best two batsmen to come together. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have a history of mix-ups. They nearly added another as New Zealand tried to steady themselves from the early shots. Taylor worked a delivery towards mid-on where Cummins made a superb diving save. Taylor was already setting off for the run, was about halfway down, had to quickly abort. Cummins’ throw missed the stumps but was gathered by David Warner who flicked it back into the stumps with Taylor having just managed to get back.Josh Hazlewood is distraught after having to limp off the field•Getty ImagesFourth over: Hazlewood limps offAttempting to bowl the third delivery of his second over, Hazlewood pulled up in his run-up. He didn’t even try to bowl the ball again, walked slowly to the umpire to take his cap and made his way forlornly off the field. It was confirmed as a left hamstring injury and he was sent to hospital for scans with it looking like his Test (and maybe series) was over. Pat Cummins completed the over and almost claimed a wicket first ball when an inside edge from Williamson flew past the stumps.Sixth over: Cummins threatensCummins produced a brilliant over that had Williamson and Taylor in trouble. Taylor edged through gully and then was hammered on the glove by a short delivery. Williamson then nearly deflected the final ball of the over into his stumps. New Zealand 2 for 12.Eighth over: The unlikely bowlerMatthew Wade, who had previously sent down two overs in Test cricket, was brought on for the eighth over of the innings as Tim Paine started to juggle his resources after the injury to Hazlewood. Like anyone who doesn’t bowl much (although, in fairness, Wade has done more in recent years since he largely gave up wicketkeeping) he loved every second of it. The first ball was a beauty that moved away from Taylor and beat the edge. He did it again with the first of his second over, but two was enough for Paine.Ninth over: Australia’s latest DRS mistakeCummins sent the last ball of his third over whizzing past the edge of Williamson’s bat. Steven Smith, at second slip, was convinced he had heard a noise but there was barely any interest elsewhere and Paine opted against the review. A few moments later the replays showed a small spike in Snicko which would probably have been enough for the decision to be overturned. Another one for Paine to rue. A life for Williamson on 13.Steven Smith is mobbed by his teammates after taking a stunning catch•Getty ImagesSixteenth over: Taylor attacks LyonNathan Lyon can expect even more work than normal after the loss of Hazlewood and settled into his first spell, but it was clear New Zealand knew how important it was not to let him settle to keep the pressure on Starc and Cummins. At the start of his third over he nearly induced a bat-pad catch to short leg off Taylor, who then decided to take on the offspinner. He twice danced down the pitch to take him over mid-off then glided him past slip. At the end of the over drinks were called. Everyone needed one.What happened next…Smith pulled off a stunning catch – to match the one he took off Chris Woakes in the final Ashes Test – to remove Williamson as Starc ran through New Zealand’s middle order in his second spell. He had Henry Nicholls caught down the leg side and cleaned up nighwatchman Neil Wagner first ball. Taylor, who struck 290 in Perth four years ago, made one of his best Test fifties and BJ Watling’s credentials need no introduction, but it was a long way back for New Zealand.
