Australian nightwatcher Nathan Lyon has fallen agonisingly short of a maiden Test fifty in Wellington, dismissed by Black Caps seamer Matt Henry for 41.
The 36-year-old, who was dropped by rival captain Tim Southee on the final delivery of day two, came out swinging on Saturday morning, at one stage cracking three consecutive boundaries.
However, Henry broke through in the 16th over, with Lyon clipping towards Will Young at mid-wicket. Lyon’s highest Test score remains 47, achieved against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018.
Australia is 4-127 with Cameron Green (26*) Travis Head (29*) at the crease.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs Australia scorecard
Southee’s fielding nightmare continued after the lunch break on day three, missing a return chance while bowling to first-innings centurion Cameron Green, who at the time was unbeaten on 21.
Earlier in the morning session, Australian opener Usman Khawaja suffered a brain fade while face part-time spinner Glenn Phillips, recklessly charging down the pitch and stumped by New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for 28.
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Follow all the action on day three of the first Test below!