12 Feb 2016

Aussies 147/3 in reply to NZ's 183

7:13 pm on 12 February 2016

The Australian cricketers are in control of the first Test against New Zealand after the opening day in Wellington.

Australia ended the day on 147 for three in reply to the Black Caps' 183 all out, in just 48 overs.

See how day one of the match unfolded here

Kane Williamson leaves the field dejected after being dismissed in Wellington

Kane Williamson leaves the field dejected after being dismissed in Wellington Photo: Photosport

The hosts struggled badly with the bat after losing the toss and being sent in to bat on a bowler's green top wicket at the Basin Reserve.

Australia's opener Josh Hazlewood did the most damage with four wickets for 42 runs, including both New Zealand openers Martin Guptill (18) and Tom Latham (6) as well as Brendon McCullum for a duck in his 100th consecutive Test match.

Peter Siddle snared three for 37, including the valuable wicket of Kane Williamson for 16 runs and Henry Nicholls for just eight.

Australian bowler Peter Siddle celebrates the dismissal of Kane Williamson

Australian bowler Peter Siddle celebrates the dismissal of Kane Williamson Photo: Photosport

The hosts' top order fell for only 51 runs and they finished the morning session at 84 for five.

Black Caps bowler Mark Craig top-scored for the hosts with 41 not out, and put on two crucial partnerships of 40 with Corey Anderson for the eighth wicket, and 46 for the 10th wicket with Trent Boult, who was the last to go for 24.

Corey Anderson and BJ Watling haemorrhaged New Zealand's bleeding somewhat, with both making it into double figures in a 37-run partnership before wicketkeeper Watling went for a very patient 17 off 51 balls, and Anderson for 38 off 87.

Doug Bracewell was out for five and Tim Southee a duck.

Australians in control

The Australians lost both openers Joe Burns and David Warner cheaply off Tim Southee, with Burns out caught behind for a duck on review, and Warner also gloved by wicketkeeper BJ Watling for just five.

But the tourists resumed control with the captain Steve Smith (who was dropped on 22) and in-form batsman Usman Khawaja both making half centuries in a century partnership.

Tim Southee appeals successfully for the wicket of Joe Burns on day one of the first Test at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, Friday 12 February 2016. Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Tim Southee appeals successfully for the wicket of Joe Burns Photo: Photosport

Spin bowler Mark Craig broke up that partnership after 126 runs by snaring Smith caught and bowled for 71.

Bracewell should have had the wicket of Adam Voges after clean bowling the batsman, only for the umpires to wrongly declare it a no ball for over-stepping.

Khawaja will resume on 57 and Voges on seven.