PERTH: Australia registered an emphatic victory of 296 runs against New Zealand as Mitchel Starc supported by Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins decimated the Kiwi batting line in first Test at Perth.
Australia had set a mammoth target of 468 for New Zealand to win after declaring their second innings at 207/9 on the fourth day. Labuschagne and Burns each scored fifties with Starc chipping in his 23 before declaring the innings.
Visitors were never really comfortable in the chase with opener Jeet Raval being caught off in the gully on Starc’s ball at only one score. Skipper Williamson could only make 14 before being dismissed by Lyons on his first ball of the innings.
Ross Taylor, the last best hope for the Kiwis failed to make his mark and was caught behind wickets on 22 by Paine on Starc’s ball in 23th over. Visitors were bowled out for just 171 with 5 wickets falling for just 17 runs.
This has been one of the largest margins of victory by Australia against New Zealand. It’s biggest winning margins was 297 runs achieved in Auckland in 1974. Mitchell Starc was awarded Player of the Match for his fantastic spells of 5/52 in first innings and 4/45 in second innings. Marnus Labuschagne was the Top Scorer with 143 in first innings and 50 in second.
Australia now leads the three-match test series by 1-0. Second test is scheduled from Dec 26-31 in Melbourne.
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