TeaNew Zealand 162 (Latham 38, Hazlewood 5-31, Starc 3-59) vs Australia

In comparison to Hazlewood, Starc struggled with his consistency and proved expensive until he had Glenn Phillips caught behind down the leg-side in a dismissal that moved him past Lillee. Starc was on a roll when he had Scott Kuggeleijn lbw first ball after delivering a piercing trademark yorker that struck him on the foot.

Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first had been rewarded on a green-tinged surface that was expected to flatten out. There was some movement, but – despite New Zealand’s tame total – conditions have not been as challenging as experienced in Wellington.

Six bowlers were used, with allrounder Cameron Green called into the attack in the second session and he claimed the wicket of Tom Blundell, who unlike most of his team-mates had looked untroubled.

It was a disastrous performance from New Zealand, who at one point lost 8 for 60 in a horrid start to a momentous match amid the milestones of Williamson and Southee.

New Zealand, having only beaten Australia twice from 36 Test matches since 1993, stuck with a seam-heavy attack with debutant Ben Sears replacing injured quick Will O’Rourke, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was overlooked again.

Latham had scored only 202 runs at 16.83 in his last 12 Test innings, but he looked assured from the get go and played fluently through the off side.

Having struggled against Starc over the years, including chopping onto his stumps in the first innings in Wellington, Latham started well with two confident boundaries in the opening over.

But Young endured a torrid time against Hazlewood and Cummins, who tried to work him over by angling the ball into the right-handed batter. Young received a life on 8 when he inside-edged to short leg, but Travis Head was unable to complete a tough one-handed catch diving to his left.

Cummins – in the 12th over – reverted to Nathan Lyon, fresh off his 10-wicket haul on the spin-friendly Basin Reserve surface. But spin has traditionally not been conducive at Hagley Oval with Lyon’s entry into the attack being the earliest by a spinner ever at the ground.

Latham made a statement by sweeping the first ball to the boundary and there was little spin on offer for Lyon, who bowled only two overs.

Australia faced a wicketless first session until Starc returned and in the 19th over ended Young’s scratchy innings after Mitchell Marsh completed a tough low catch at third slip to trigger New Zealand’s collapse.

It was the 29th time Australia had chosen to bowl first in Tests since 1998, but only twice had they taken longer to take a wicket.

Australia quickly gained the upper hand by lunch when Hazlewood dismissed Latham and Rachin Ravindra who edged to slip after attempting a rash drive. Ravindra threw his head back and trudged off in despair as New Zealand nosedived further after the interval.

Daryl Mitchell was unable to play aggressively in Wellington given New Zealand’s predicaments when he entered the crease in the first Test. Once again, he arrived with his team in trouble and started cautiously before being undone by another gem of a delivery from Hazlewood to be caught behind.

Having entered to a standing ovation, Williamson had been determined to make amends for a horror first Test, where he had a rare double-failure. He pounced on rare loose deliveries from Cummins before being trapped on the crease by a Hazlewood ball that angled back as Williamson forlornly reviewed.

Australia are fielding an unchanged side for the fourth Test in a row and the same bowling quartet for the seventh consecutive match.

Retiring umpire Marais Erasmus received a guard of honour from the players before play.