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A decade of pink ball revolution: Throwback to first-ever Day-Night Test match

Shreyasi

First Day-Night Test match in 2015 at Adelaide Oval [Source: X/@Kiwiscricketfan]First Day-Night Test match in 2015 at Adelaide Oval [Source: X/@Kiwiscricketfan]

Ten years ago, on this day, Australia won the first-ever Day-Night Test match, maintaining their tradition of achieving remarkable feats in cricket. After winning the first-ever Test match, first-ever One Day International, first-ever Day-Night ODI, and first-ever T20 International, securing another historic victory once again solidified their position as pioneers in the game of cricket.

More than 120,000 fans attended the historic Test match, played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval over three days, making it a memorable encounter.

The pink ball struggle for NZ batters; Australia saved by Nevil, the keeper

Tom Latham [Source: X/@Kiwiscricketfan]Tom Latham [Source: X/@Kiwiscricketfan]

Brendon McCullum won the toss and opted to bat first for New Zealand. Martin Guptill faced the inaugural delivery from Mitchell Starc in Day-Night Test cricket, registering the first run. However, he was also the first one to be dismissed by Josh Hazlewood.

Tom Latham and Kane Williamson added 52 runs together, which was the only fifty-plus stand of the innings. The continuous movement of the pink ball made batting difficult, and wickets fell at regular intervals. 

New Zealand managed a total of 202 runs from 65.2 overs, thanks to Tom Latham’s fifty, along with contributions from Mitchell Santner (31) and BJ Watling (29). Starc and Hazlewood picked up three wickets apiece.

Australia batted for 72.1 overs and posted 224 runs, securing a 22-run lead before being bowled out. At one point, Australia were 116/8, with only a significant contribution from captain Steve Smith (53). 

Peter Nevill, the wicketkeeper, rose to the occasion to play a crucial innings of 66 runs. Nathan Lyon (34) at number ten and the injured Mitchell Starc (24*) at number eleven contributed to save Australia from a massacre. Doug Bracewell was the best New Zealand bowler with 3-18.

The dramatic chase

Josh Hazlewood, the Player of the Match [Source: X/@ICC]Josh Hazlewood, the Player of the Match [Source: X/@ICC]

The second innings from New Zealand mirrored their first. Eight batters reached double figures, but none could score more than Mitchell Santner’s 45. New Zealand posted 208 runs, with Josh Hazlewood claiming 6-70.

The chase became thrilling, adding more drama to the occasion. Australia had to chase down 187 runs, and David Warner started aggressively. Australia’s chase began after tea on Day 3. They raced to fifty within the first 11 overs.

But Warner (35) and Smith (14) were dismissed in consecutive overs by Doug Bracewell and Trent Boult, and the visitors seemed to be in a better condition. Fortunately, for Australia, Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh steadied the innings to take them to 113/3 at the Dinner break, with only 74 more runs required to win.

Marsh brothers followed by injured Starc bring historic win for Australia

Boult dismissed Voges for 28 immediately after the break. Shaun Marsh, along with his brother Mitchell Marsh, added 46 runs, narrowing the gap to just 26 runs. Santner dismissed Mitchell Marsh (28) and soon Boult dismissed Shaun Marsh (49), the highest scorer for Australia in the innings. 

With just 2 runs required to win the historic match, Boult dismissed Peter Nevil, and the injured Starc walked in. He understood the assignment, defended the final ball of the penultimate over, and remained unbeaten on 0.

Peter Siddle (9*) finished the match, and Australia won the first Day-Night Test match by 3 wickets. Hazlewood became the Player of the Match for his incredible spells.