Australia Nudge Ahead After 14-Wickets Fall: Day 1, Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test

The weight of expectation was on the visitors to repeat their emphatic first test win, as round two, featuring the 100th tests for New Zealand’s Captain Tim Southee and runmaker Kane Williamson, got underway at Christchurch’s Hagley Park. After being crushed resoundingly in Wellington, the Black Caps hoped for better after being inserted into bat by Australian Captain Pat Cummins. Clear skies, a moderate zephyr, and a greenish-looking pitch met openers Will Young and Tom Latham, who showed early resistance against the new ball in helpful conditions for the quicks. Aside from the usual “oohs” and “ahhs” from the slip cordon, the Kiwis looked relatively untroubled, blunting the new ball and reaching 57 before Young’s lack of returns at the top level continued when he failed to whip away a legside ball from Mitchell Starc, instead squaring up and scratching a delivery to Mitchell Marsh at first slip....