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‘Some Frustration In There…’ - Nathan Lyon After Australian Collapse To Phillips In Wellington

Glenn Phillips induced Australia's second innings collapse on Day 3 (x.com)Glenn Phillips induced Australia's second innings collapse on Day 3 (x.com)

Legendary Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon top-scored for his side in their second innings on Day 3 of their series-opening first Test match against New Zealand. The 36-year-old had made his way to the crease at the brink of stumps on Day 2 as a ‘night watchman’.

Resuming his innings the following morning, Lyon listed 41 runs from just 46 balls before his dismissal triggered a late Australian collapse at the hands of part-time New Zealand spinner Glenn Phillips.

Nathan Lyon speaks on Australia’s Day 3 collapse

Australia secured a 204-run first innings lead at Wellington at the halfway stage of the game. However, their second innings batting ambitions were hampered by New Zealand spinner Glenn Phillips, who collected his career-best Test figures of 5-45.

After Nathan Lyon made his way back to the sheds with a 46-ball 41 to his name at 53-3, Phillips tore through Australia’s middle-order by snapping Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, and Cameron Green in his five-wicket burst from 16 overs.

Lyon’s mere 41 turned out to be the top Australian score as they were enveloped for just 164 in their second innings on Day 3. Speaking on the late Australian batting collapse to Phillips, the senior cricketer said:

“Bowlers are actually there to bowl good balls. And it's not always the batters' fault getting out and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No doubt there will be some frustration in there.”

Australia’s 164-run effort set New Zealand a target of 369 to secure the first Test of the series. The ‘Black Caps’ reached 111-3 by stumps on Day 3 with unbeaten half-centurion Rachin Ravindra still batting at the crease.

Lyon, who claimed two of the three fallen New Zealand wickets late in the day, expressed profound hopes over his teammates for keeping the hosts down in their run-chase. He added:

“If we do our job and put pressure on the guys for long periods of time, I'm confident that the bowlers in that change room will create more than seven chances.”

Earlier in the match, Nathan Lyon took four wickets in the first New Zealand innings on Day 2. His figures of 4-43 helped him scale past legendary West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh to become Test cricket’s seventh highest wicket-taker.