NZ vs AUS 2024: Green, Hazlewood break McGrath-Gillespie's long-standing record in New Zealand

After a poor start with the bat, which saw Australia get reduced to 89/4, Cameron Green took control of the situation and scored an unbeaten 174 in the first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington. He took some time to settle down but after crossing his half-century, Green played an attacking brand of cricket despite the lack of support from other batters. Wickets fell one after the other, but Green continued to get going and eventually built a 116-run partnership with Josh Hazlewood.

By doing so, Green and Hazelwood now hold the record of the highest 10th-wicket partnership for Australia against the Kiwis in Test cricket. Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath previously owned the record with a 114-run partnership. Meanwhile, Green guided Hazlewood brilliantly as tried to keep the strike for the majority part of the time. He continued to play aggressively, which helped Australia post 383 runs on the board in the first innings.

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Nick Hockley, CEO of Australia Cricket was delighted with Green’s performance and lauded him for standing tall and batting with confidence. He added that the selectors proved to be right as they backed Green to bat at number four, with Steven Smith opening after David Warner’s retirement.

“I’m thrilled for Cam, I think it’s brilliant. I think it’s been in him. It’s just great to see him standing tall with that confidence. I think going back to that knock in the Shield, in pretty similar conditions, it just really vindicates the selectors’ decision to stick him in at no.4,” Hockley told SEN Test Cricket.

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Meanwhile, New Zealand struggled with the bat in the second innings. Spin wizard Nathan Lyon picked up four wickets, while Hazlewood picked up two and Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh picked up one each.

Glenn Phillips was the only batter who seemed to be in form, as the 27-year-old hit 71 runs off 70 deliveries. Tom Blundell and Matt Henry did their best but the hosts could only post 179 runs in the first innings, as Australia took a lead of 204 runs.