Labuschagne out for 90 but Australia leads New Zealand by 59 runs in 2nd cricket test

Labuschagne out for 90 but Australia leads New Zealand by 59 runs in 2nd cricket test

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Matt Henry completed his second five-wicket haul of the series as New Zealand tried hard to mount a comeback Saturday on the second day of the second cricket test against Australia.

HT Image

But the Black Caps were held at bay by Marnus Labuschagne who emerged from a brief form slump to reach 90 before falling just before lunch.

At the break Australia was 221-8 and led New Zealand by 59 runs on the first innings. Mitchell Starc was 17 not out. New Zealand took 4-97 in the morning session.

Australia started the second day with the upper hand, having reached 124-4 by stumps on day one after bowling out New Zealand for 162, a deficit of only 38. Josh Hazlewood took 5-31 in the New Zealand first innings.

Labuschagne resumed at 45 with the nightwatchman Nathan Lyon 1 not out. Lyon was a thorn in New Zealand’s side in the first test, scoring 40 as nightwatchman in the first innings.

Once again he made a valuable contribution for Australia, making 20 in a 51-run partnership with Labuschagne. When he was out, Australia was only four runs short of New Zealand’s total.

Lyon had a life when he was dropped by Daryl Mitchell at first slip from Tim Southee’s bowling in the second over of the day. He played back and the ball went quickly to Mitchell who got both hands to it above his head but couldn’t hold on.

There was a moment of contention when the umpires appeared to speak to Labuschagne about his affect on the pitch. Labuschagne took guard at times more than a foot outside his crease and advanced as the bowler prepared to deliver. That took Labuschagne into an area around the 3-meter zone where batters are not supposed to tread.

Labuschagne shook off the incident to reach his half century from 90 balls. It was his first 50 in seven innings and he has gone 15 innings since his last century. But he looked back to his best form on Saturday, scoring freely through the leg side.

Mitchell made up for his early lapse when he caught Lyon off Henry’s bowling just before Australia achieved its first innings lead.

Henry then dismissed Mitch Marsh for a four-ball duck. Marsh was hit low on the front pad and New Zealand’s appeal was rejected but that decision was overturned on review.

Glenn Phillips dismissed Alex Carey (14) in his first over, the first over of spin in the New Zealand innings.

Then Phillips pulled off a startling catch to remove Labuschagne in the last over before lunch. Labuschagne tried to steer a delivery from Southee backward of point and Phillips took the catch at gully, diving full length and clutching the ball in one hand.

Australia won the first tes t of the two-test series in Wellington.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket