DAY FOUR
Result: Australia win by an innings and 52 runs.
Relive the match as it unfolded
Henry Nicholls fought hard, becoming the first BLACKCAPS number four to score a half century on debut. Photosport
The hosts were dismissed for 327 halfway through the second session of day four, 52 runs short of forcing the visitors to bat again.
Australian number five Adam Voges was named man of the match for his 239 run knock in the first innings.
The BLACKCAPS must quickly refocus as they head for Christchurch and a chance to square the series starting at Hagley Oval, which is sold out on Saturday.
Day four got off to a bad start for the hosts as Corey Anderson was trapped LBW by Mitch Marsh for a duck.
BJ Watling joined Nicholls who pushed past his fifty and in the process claimed the new highest score by a New Zealander on debut batting at number four.
Watling added 10 before Nathon Lyon got one to spin back sharply and take the inside edge onto his stumps.
Nicholls would be the next to go, bowled for 59 by Jackson Bird as the old ball continued to reverse.
First innings top run scorer Mark Craig combined with Doug Bracewell to make it to lunch at 241/7.
Bracewell was trapped LBW for 14 after the break which brought Tim Southee to the wicket and he was in the mood to entertain.
The New Zealand number nine bludgeoned five fours and three sixes on his way to 48 off just 23 balls before he holed out to Lyon in the deep.
Trent Boult continued to push his case as the best number 11 in world cricket by striking a six and a four before being the last man dismissed for 12.
Mark Craig again showed his talent with the bat finishing unbeaten on 33 to take his match aggregate to 74 runs without being dismissed.
DAY THREE
BLACKCAPS 183 (Mark Craig 41*, Josh Hazlewood 4-42) and 178-4 (Tom Latham 63, Henry Nicholls 31*)
Australia 562 (Adam Voges 239, Usman Khawaja 140)
It will take a special effort from the BLACKCAPS to avoid defeat in the opening ANZ Test at the Basin Reserve, after Australia tightened the screws on day three.
Skipper Brendon McCullum was dismissed lbw for 10 in the final over of the day, with the BLACKCAPS going to stumps 178-4 and trailing by 201 runs.
Earlier, a double-century from Adam Voges (239) had propelled Australia to a first innings total of 562 and lead of 379 runs.
The BLACKCAPS have kicked their way out of submission at the Basin before however and will need to do so once again to save the Test.
Martin Guptill (46) and Tom Latham (63) made a solid start to the enormous task in front of them, putting on 81 for the opening wicket.
Despite the dire position, Guptill showed positive intent throughout his knock, playing the ball on its merit and some delightful strokes. A misjudged advance down the wicket to Nathan Lyon would bring about his downfall unfortunately, miscuing one to Mitchell Marsh who took a sharp catch.
A superb piece of bowling from Josh Hazlewood hurt the BLACKCAPS further, with Kane Williamson (22) feathering one through to the keeper.
Henry Nicholls (31*) joined Latham and at 150-2 and around 10 overs remaining, the Canterbury duo were set on seeing out the remainder of the day’s play.
Unfortunately it wouldn’t be the case, with Lyon once again drawing a false shot, Latham the victim on this occasion.
Nicholls, on debut, navigated his way to through stumps in impressive fashion, but the blow of losing McCullum late was a tough one for the BLACKCAPS to take.
It leaves the home side in need of huge partnership – there’s still fight left in them yet.
DAY TWO
BLACKCAPS 183 (Mark Craig 41*, Josh Hazlewood 4-42)
Australia 463-6 (Adam Voges 176*, Usman Khawaja 140)
Big hundreds to Usman Khawaja (140) and Adam Voges (176*) ensured the BLACKCAPS remain under the pump after two days of the opening ANZ Test at the Basin Reserve.
Adam Voges. Photosport
Two wickets in three balls after lunch from Trent Boult provided the only glimmer of hope on a tough day in the dirt as Australia amassed 316 further runs for the loss of just three wickets.
Resuming at 147 for three, Khawaja and Voges quickly passed the host's 183 run first innings score and set about building a lead as they added 93 runs without loss in the first session.
Khawaja was all class as he raised his century and then his 150, while Voges scraped his way to a fourth consecutive Test hundred, much to the disdain of the local crowd who couldn’t help but remember his incorrect no-ball let off late on Friday.
Usman Khawaja
The pair’s 168 runs stand would be brought to an end by Trent Boult who trapped Khawaja lbw for a fine 140.
Boult wrapped Mitch Marsh on the pads first ball and then had him brilliant caught and bowled the next to spark the large local crowd into life.
At 299/5 the hosts had a slight sniff but continued to toil without luck as Voges passed 150.
Peter Nevill was caught behind for 32, but Peter Siddle (29*) entered and batted it out until stumps with Voges, to ensure Australia remained in total control heading into day three.
Voges, who now has a current Test average of over 100, and Siddle will resume the visitors innings on 463/6 with a lead of 280.
DAY ONE
BLACKCAPS 183 (Mark Craig 41*, Josh Hazlewood 4-42)
Australia 147-3 (Steve Smith 71, Tim Southee 2-22)
A disappointing display with the bat and luckless session with the ball has left the BLACKCAPS on the back foot at the conclusion of a sold out day one of the first ANZ Test against Australia.
A green Basin Reserve pitch and some tidy Australian bowling reduced them to 5 for 51, before Corey Anderson (38) and Mark Craig (41*) led a slight rearguard action after lunch to take the hosts through to a first-innings total of 183.
The BLACKCAPS struck two early blows early in Australia's response, but Steve Smith (71) and Usman Khawaja (57*) steadied the ship as the visitors reached stumps at 147/3, although not without late drama.
A no ball in the final over against Doug Bracewell cost him the wicket of Adam Voges, however replays showed the ball should have stood, much to the horror of the capacity crowd.
There was no such angst at the start of the day as fans flocked through the gates to get a good seat and soak up the sights and sounds of Brendon McCullum’s historic 100th Test.
There were muffled moans from the bank as the visitors won the toss and predictably bowled on what looked a spicy pitch.
Those concerns about batting first proved well founded as the ball seamed and swung early.
Latham (5) was caught behind on review off Hazlewood and Guptill was his next victim, caught in the gully for a promising 18.
Debutant Henry Nicholls was plunged straight into the furnace as he and Kane Williamson tried to rebuild, and he got off the mark first ball to alleviate some nerves.
Williamson (16) produced some trademark drives before he went for one to many off Peter Siddle and was brilliant caught behind by Peter Nevill.
Brendon McCullum's daughter Maya McCullum accompanied him at the coin toss in his 100th Test. Photosport
A standing ovation greeted captain McCullum as he walked out onto the Basin, but the ground was soon hushed as he became Hazlewood’s third victim for a duck.
Nicholls was the next to depart, caught behind off Siddle for eight as the hosts lurched to 5 for 51.
BJ Watling (17) and Corey Anderson battled their way to lunch, but soon after the break their 37 runs stand was broken as Watling nicked off to Hazlewood.
Doug Bracewell came and went and Anderson was joined by Mark Craig with the pair playing positively to breathe some life into the innings.
They added 40 for the eighth wicket before Anderson was caught at mid-off trying to hit Lyon over the top.
Southee register the second duck of the innings, before Trent Boult thrilled the crowd by belting three sixes off Lyon to nudge the score up to 183.
Early wickets will be the order of the day for the BLACKCAPS with Australia resuming at 147/3 - just 36 runs in arrears.
