Australia target ‘superstar’ Ravindra in first NZ Test
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon described unbeaten New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra as a budding ‘superstar’ yesterday but says the tourists are still well placed to win the first Test in Wellington.
Ravindra struck an eyecatching 56 not out as the home side reached 111-3 at stumps on day three, having stumbled early in their pursuit of a lofty 369 to win the opening match of the two-Test series.
Daryl Mitchell was on 12, with the pair having put on 52 in 20.3 overs together to give New Zealand a glimmer of hope in difficult batting conditions.
Lyon took 2-27 – aided by some brilliant catching from Steve Smith – to give him six wickets for the match.
Lyon shapes as a key figure in preventing New Zealand from scoring the remaining 258 runs they need on a Basin Reserve pitch taking turn and bounce.
New Zealand part-time spinner Glenn Phillips earlier capitalised on the conditions, snaring careerbest figures of 5-45 as Australia were bundled out for 164 in their second innings.
Ravindra, who scored 240 in the first Test against South Africa last month, defied Australia late in the day with a series of aggressive strokes in his 94-ball knock.
Lyon said it will be crucial to quickly remove the 24-year-old, who scored three centuries at last year’s 50-over World Cup.
“Rachin seems like a really good player,” Lyon said.
“This is the first time I’ve bowled to him – I watched a lot of him during the World Cup and he’s going to be a superstar. Credit where it’s due, he’s played very well here.
“But I know if we can put pressure on them and challenge their defence for long periods of time, hopefully we can crack them.”
Mitchell was fortunate to survive an early stumping chance off Lyon, when the ball evaded the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey, with the charging batsman well out of his ground.
Lyon was introduced in the sixth over of New Zealand’s innings and quickly removed opener Tom Latham before claiming the key wicket of Kane Williamson, when Smith pouched a sharp catch at leg slip.
Smith’s second catch was even better, to remove Will Young for 15 off part-time spinner Travis Head, reacting quickly to a fine edge that went low and to his left.