Australia defeat New Zealand by 172 runs in first test

Spinner Nathan Lyon took six for 65 as Australia dismissed New Zealand for 196 before lunch on the fourth day of the first test at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Sunday, winning by 172 runs and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

New Zealand began the day on 111-3, chasing a daunting 369-run victory target, but Lyon returned Rachin Ravindra for 59 and dismissed Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips inside the first hour to claim his 24th test five-wicket haul.

Daryl Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn put up some resistance for the seventh wicket, but all-rounder Cameron Green, whose 174 not out with the bat in the first innings contributed to Australia's victory, dismissed the latter for 26.

Mitchell batted on to score 38 runs despite being hit on the helmet by a Green delivery, but he ran out of partners as the New Zealand tail collapsed in the face of Australia's attack.

The defeat leaves New Zealand with only one win in 24 tests against their neighbours this century, with the second and final match of the series beginning on Friday in Christchurch.

SportsLigue