Second Test, MCG, day one
First innings: Australia 1-6
Warner 2, Labuschagne 4
New Zealand has sensationally broken through early after sending Australia into bat first in the on the controversial MCG deck.
After winning the toss on day one of the second Test, the Black Caps had the best start imaginable when Joe Burns was clean bowled middle stump on his first ball from returning paceman Trent Boult.
Tweet from @7Cricket
Australia made only one change to its team, bringing paceman James Pattinson in for the injured Josh Hazlewood, with batsman Travis Head keeping his spot after earlier being expected to miss out in favour of another bowler.
Australia skipper Tim Paine had inspected the pitch on Thursday morning and a green tinge suggested a more traditional batting line-up was in order.
Boult was back from injury for New Zealand and Tom Blundell is also a new selection to open the batting.
Before the match Pattinson told Channel Seven that he was thrilled to return to the Australian team for the MCG Test.
“[It’s] pretty special,” he said. “Ecstatic, it is going to be a massive crowd. I was pumped get out there … I was working towards getting back to Test cricket and planning Boxing Day.
“Hopefully I can do Australia proud … It’s a special time of year and nothing better than the Boxing day Test.”
The tourists are keen to level the series after being thrashed in Perth when Australia set a huge first innings total.
It is the Black Caps’ first Test at the MCG for 32 years – the last Boxing Day Test between the nations in 1987 resulted in a draw.
“There’s a sense of romance about being involved in the Boxing Day Test,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said on Wednesday.
“I know we always play cricket on Boxing Day, but I think there’s only one Boxing Day Test and it’s the one over here.
“At the same time, it’s sort of removing a little bit of that (hype) and bringing the focus back to the cricket.
“Perth was tough and Australia were very good and tactically sound. It’s important we learn from some bits of Perth.”
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