New Zealand's all-pace attack has claimed Australia's top order, giving the Black Caps a firm foothold in the first Test in Wellington.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Led by Matt Henry, New Zealand could boast early honours at tea on the opening day of their trans-Tasman contest, with Australia at 4-147.
Allrounders Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green were left with a salvage job at 4-89, tallying a quickfire half-century partnership to steady the ship.
Australia were sent in by Tim Southee after losing the toss, and soon found themselves on the back foot.
Steve Smith (31) fell to Henry just prior to lunch as Australia limped to 1-62 at the main break.
The Kiwi bowlers upped their attack after their feed, with Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn and Will O'Rourke all taking wickets in a damaging hour.
On Australia's first Test tour of New Zealand in eight years, the Black Caps revelled in conditions they know all too well - a fresh southerly breeze in the Kiwi capital, overcast conditions and a green-tinged pitch.
Henry (2-25 off 14 overs) was the chief tormentor, fizzing the ball at a good length and forcing Australia's batters to make tough decisions with every delivery.
Smith was his first victim, defending to a ball which moved off the pitch and edging to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, who moved well to his right to take the catch.
Marnus Labuschagne (one) followed shortly after the break having barely troubled the scorers, edging Kuggeleijn to first slip with another that deviated from the pitch.
It was Labuschagne's fifth failure in a row after four scores of 10 runs or fewer against West Indies.
After dogged resistance on a tough day, Usman Khawaja (33 off 118 deliveries) fell from a Henry change-up.
The 32-year-old ripped an inswinger that crashed through Khawaja's defence and bowled him.
When Travis Head (one) followed - caught behind off O'Rourke - the very next over, Australia were rocking at 4-89 with two new batters at the crease.
Marsh and Green put together's Australia's best partnership, upping the run rate as well courtesy of Marsh, who struck half-a-dozen boundaries and a six.
Australia must have known they would face a challenging day when Cummins lost the toss, allowing Black Caps skipper Southee to send them in.
"We've played enough here to know it's a pretty good surface ... hopefully there's a little bit early on," Southee said.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said he would have made the same call.
"We were going to bowl but not too upset with that," he said.
"Seems like there has been some first innings scores that have been big so that's the aim today."
On Australia's most-recent outing at the Basin, Adam Voges made 239 and Khawaja 140 as the Black Caps were routed by an innings and 52 runs in 2016.
A similar outcome this week would require some mighty partnerships as New Zealand chase their first home Test success over Australia in 31 years.
Australian Associated Press
