Live Cricket Score: New Zealand vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 4: Australia thrash New Zealand by 172 runs

Right then, Australia have drawn the first blood to take an unassailable lead in the two Test-match series. With this convincing win, the Aussies have successfully retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy and will eye a clean sweep now. On the other hand, New Zealand had their fair share of moments in the game, and there were plenty of positives to take forward as they look to end the series on level terms. The battle between these two Trans-Tasman rivals resumes with the second Test on Friday, 8th of March at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The first ball will be bowled at 3.30 am IST (10 pm GMT, the previous day) but as always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Cameron Green is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar 174-run knock in the first inning, which bailed Australia out of trouble and, in the end, proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Time for the presentation ceremony....

Earlier in the game, after being inserted into bat under overcast conditions, Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja provided stability early on, but Australia faced setbacks, losing Smith before Lunch. After a slow start, New Zealand's bowlers improved their discipline, claiming three wickets in the second session. Mitchell Marsh joined Cameron Green to regain momentum, but their partnership was short-lived. Green, with support from the tail, reached his century in the final over of the day, ensuring Australia ended on a high note despite losing wickets towards the end.

New Zealand endured a frustrating start to Day 2, as their hopes of limiting Australia's total were dashed by Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood's resilient batting. Green got to 150, and thanks to a record 116-run last wicket stand, Australia posted 383 on the board. With the bat, the hosts struggled to forge impactful partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite a counter-attack from Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell after Tea, Nathan Lyon's breakthroughs helped Australia secure a substantial first-inning lead of 204 runs. Southee's late contributions offered some consolation for New Zealand, but they ended the day facing an uphill battle.

Australia began the third day positively, with Nathan Lyon capitalising on his luck from the previous day before Travis Head and Cameron Green consolidated the innings. The second session of the 'Moving Day' witnessed a stunning turnaround as Glenn Phillips led a spirited bowling performance, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul. Australia went down in a hurry, losing their last six wickets for just 37 runs to be bowled out for 164. In their pursuit of 369 runs for victory, New Zealand faced early setbacks but found stability through Will Young and Rachin Ravindra's partnership. Despite Daryl Mitchell's tentative start, Ravindra's solid fifty ensured New Zealand ended the day, needing 258 more runs with two days left in the game.

Starting the day needing 258 more runs for the win, New Zealand needed to see off the first hour without losing any wickets. It was a steady start to the morning session, as Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra applied themselves well. However, just as both batters looked to be settling in, Rachin perished. Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips could not replicate their heroics from the first inning, and it all fell apart for the Kiwis in real quick time. Scott Kuggeleijn and Matt Henry did not shy away from a fight, but they could not hang around for long. Amidst all this, Daryl Mitchell was left searching for partners, and by then, it was more about survival than anything else. Tim Southee tried to take Lyon on but could not succeed, leaving Mitchell to shield William O'Rourke for as long as he could. Mitchell was left with no other option but to wield his willow and he was the last to get out, resulting in New Zealand being bowled out in just over a session's play.

As far as Australia are concerned, they relied heavily on their ace off-spinner Nathan Lyon in their hunt for the remaining seven wickets. Having struggled a bit in the morning to hit his stride, it all fell into place for Lyon as soon as he swapped ends. Having enjoyed the most success from that end, Lyon went bang, bang, in a single over before going on to make Glenn Phillips his fifth victim. It did not take long for Cameron Green and Josh Hazelwood to get involved with the ball and got Australia closer to the win. Lyon then went on to nip Tim Southee in the bud before Hazlewood completed the formalities. Nathan Lyon took 6 wickets in the second inning to finish with 10 wickets in the game, the 5th instance of him taking 10 wickets or more in a Test and the best figures by a spinner at the Cello Basin Reserve. Josh Hazlewood accounted for a couple of wickets, while Travis Head and Cameron Green took one wicket each.

AUSTRALIA GO 1-0 UP IN THE SERIES! A dominant performance with the ball on the fourth morning sees them win the first Test by 172 runs. Nathan Lyon was the highlight for them with the 24th five-wicket haul of his Test career, while the rest of the bowling unit played their part too. As for New Zealand, it has been a meek collapse for them, losing their last 7 wickets for 70 runs. It all went downhill for the hosts with the departure of Rachin Ravindra, and the relentless Aussie bowling attack proved to be just too good for them.

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That's it, Australia win by 172 runs and get an unassailable lead in the series going 1-0 ahead. Hazlewood bangs it just short of a length over off, at 135.9 kph, Daryl Mitchell goes for the big pull but is a bit too late on it. The ball comes off the upper half of the bat and loops straight up towards Josh Hazlewood who in his follow-through gets ahead and takes the easiest of catches to wrap things up. 

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, Drops the length and hits the deck hard over off, Daryl Mitchell nails the pull straight to the fielder at deep square leg. 

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, on off, Daryl Mitchell punches it to deep point.

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, That's almost a run but not a run! Bowls it on a length around off, Daryl Mitchell tucks it in front of deep backward point and both batters set off for the run. They cross each other midway and then decide to withdraw the run as they scamper back.  

Nathan Lyon to William O'Rourke, Goes fuller and into middle and off, William O'Rourke blocks it nicely to the on side. 

Nathan Lyon to William O'Rourke, With the field all in, Lyon tosses it up on middle and off, William O'Rourke blocks it well to short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, A tad shorter on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell rocks back and tucks it to deep square leg for a single. 

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, On a fuller length and around middle, Daryl Mitchell tucks it to backward short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, Shorter and wider on off, Daryl Mitchell gets closer and clips it to short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, Goes fuller just outside off, Daryl Mitchell reverse sweeps it to short third man but doesn't take the run. 

Josh Hazlewood to William O'Rourke, Bowls it on a fuller length outside off, William O'Rourke leaves it alone. 

Josh Hazlewood to William O'Rourke, Bangs it short over off, William O'Rourke half ducks at it and leaves it alone. 

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, Takes the single now. On a back of a length over off, Daryl Mitchell punches it to sweeper cover and gets to the other side.

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, Doesn't take the run! Hazlewood bangs it short over middle, Daryl Mitchell rolls his wrists and pulls it nicely to deep backward square leg. 

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, On a length over off, Daryl Mitchell taps it to mid on. 

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, Lands it on a length over off, Daryl Mitchell offers a solid front foot defence. 

Nathan Lyon to William O'Rourke, Fuller on off, William O'Rourke prods ahead and blocks it to the off side.

William O'Rourke is the last batter in for New Zealand.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee, OUT! CAUGHT! Australia just one wicket away now as Nathan Lyon gets his sixth. Bowls it fuller and gives the ball air over middle and off, Tim Southee makes a bit of room and slogs it high in the air to long on. His bottom hand comes off the bat as the ball connects and only manages to get the elevation and not the distance. Mitchell Starc stays deep near the fence and takes a very simple catch at long on. 

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee, Fuller and turning back in from middle, Tim Southee blocks it off the back foot. 

A halt in play as the ball got lost just over the sight screen. The ground staff have managed to find it and we are all good to go now.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee, SIX! That's tonked over the fence. Tossed up on off, Tim Southee frees his arms and whacks it down town over long off for half a dozen. 

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee, How did that miss the stumps? Bowls it nice and full on off and gets the ball to turn back in sharply and it sneaks past the the inside edge and goes over the stumps.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee, Drops the length a bit around middle and leg, Tim Southee rides back and tucks it to the on side. 

Josh Hazlewood to Tim Southee, Gets off the mark with a quick single. On a length around off, Tim Southee just taps it to left of cover and steals a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Tim Southee, Goes fuller on off, Tim Southee drives it straight to mid off.

The skipper of New Zealand, Tim Southee walks out now.

Josh Hazlewood to Matt Henry, OUT! CAUGHT! Josh Hazlewood adds one against his name and a brief cameo from Matt Henry comes to an end. Bowls this one on a good length outside off, Matt Henry goes for the push through covers with hard hands and ends up getting a thick outside edge to Steven Smith at second slip who takes a good catch around his face. 

Josh Hazlewood to Matt Henry, Hurls it in on a good length over middle and leg, Matt Henry pushes it to mid on. 

Josh Hazlewood to Matt Henry, On a good length, on off, Matt Henry punches it straight to cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Daryl Mitchell, Bangs it on a length over off, Daryl Mitchell punches it past cover for a single.

Josh Hazlewood (7-2-17-0) returns to the attack.

Nathan Lyon to Matt Henry, SIX! Oh, hello! Where has that come from? Matt Henry continues his fine touch from the first innings. Lyon gets this nice and full around off, Matt Henry shimmies down the track and whacks it straight over the bowler's head for a biggie. 

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, Fuller on off, Daryl Mitchell reaches it and sweeps it square of the wicket on leg for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Takes him on this time and gets a nice boundary. Lyon bowls it from over the wicket and pitches it fuller around off, Daryl Mitchell gets down the track and smokes it straight over mid on for a boundary. 

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, Turns it in from leg, Daryl Mitchell leaves it alone for the keeper to collect it.

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, Floats it up on off, Daryl Mitchell prods ahead and blocks it well.

Nathan Lyon to Daryl Mitchell, Goes fuller on off, Daryl Mitchell gets across a bit and tucks it to the on side.

Cameron Green to Matt Henry, Angles it in on a good length around middle and leg, Matt Henry gets cramped for room as the ball pings him high on the abdomen. 

Cameron Green to Matt Henry, Hurls it on a shorter length around off, Matt Henry blocks it to point. 

Cameron Green to Matt Henry, Bowls it fuller down leg, Matt Henry leaves it alone.