Australia are seven wickets away from defending the Trans-Tasman Trophy and winning the first Test against New Zealand, with Nathan Lyon at the center of their efforts.
Spinner Lyon hit a game-high 41 as the visitors fell to 164 in their second over; disappointing, but still enough to see the Black Caps win by an incredible 369.
In a tight chase, New Zealand reached 111-3 at stumps on day three, 258 runs short of their first home victory over their old rivals in 31 years.
Despite still having a tough task ahead, the New Zealanders had their best day yet in Saturday’s Basin Reserve Test.
The man behind their impressive bowling efforts is their best performer with the bat: Glenn Phillips.
Phillips (5-45) broke through Australia’s midfield with back-to-back goals past Travis Head (29) and Mitch Marsh (golden duck) to set up an unlikely hat-trick .
Alex Carey survived that delivery but Phillips soon claimed the keeper, adding him to Usman Khawaja (28) ) and Cam Green (34) are on the list of victims.
Not bad for a man who started his international career as a T20 wicketkeeper and skipper Tim Southee overlooked him at one point when Australia scored 383 in the first innings.
“Credit to Glenn, I thought he pitched really well,” Lyon said. “Sticking to his very simple game plan … he was awesome.”
Matt Henry added to his impressive figures of 5-70 in the first innings with figures of 3-36.
Australia’s second innings performance was weak, not even as good as Cam Green’s unbeaten 174 in the first innings.
Only Lyon was able to establish himself, with a batting average of 12 despite failing to fulfill his professional ambitions.
The 36-year-old hit six boundaries in his innings of 162 to record his second-highest score, but it was not the Test half-century he had longed for.
“This is the second time in my career that I’ve had the highest score, and hopefully it’s the last time,” Lyon said.
If New Zealand could hold on to its catch, it would be a better day.
The Blackcaps were hit hard by a poor defense, with Scott Cugline, Souci and Henry Nichols all missing out on two regular-season opportunities.
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As New Zealand sprinted towards the crease before tea, captain Pat Cummins immediately brought Lyon into the attack – and for good reason.
Lyon (2-27) were chased down when Tom Latham chipped in with just the second ball and followed up with Kane Williamson’s prize wicket shortly after the break Door.
A well-placed pitch led to Williamson’s demise, with the former captain deftly sweeping Lyon’s ball down the leg side and straight to Steve Smith for an unorthodox leg-slip for nine.
Smith completed his second catch shortly after, a slow-responsive one-handed strike that rescued Will Young from Head’s spin.
New Zealand were in strong form from then on, with Rachin Ravindra (56) and Daryl Mitchell (11) adding a much-needed half-century to the stand. Keep the Kiwi dream alive on day four.
Whether Will O’Rourke – their fastest pace bowler with 0-11, including four maidens – can bat remains to be seen as the 22-year-old Hobbled off the court in the eighth round with a hamstring strain.
New Zealand’s success will break several records.
Chasing 369 runs would be the most successful fourth innings chase in New Zealand’s 94-run Test history, and the most successful fourth innings chase of nearly 100 runs in the Basin Reserve.
It would also end the Black Caps’ 31-year run without a home win over Australia and give them hope of regaining the Trans-Tasman Cup in the same time frame.
