WELLINGTON, March 2, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand lost the wicket of Tom

Latham early in their daunting pursuit of 369 to beat Australia in the first
Test in Wellington on Saturday.

Glenn Phillips took five wickets as Australia were bundled out for 164 in
their second innings but New Zealand were 15-1 at tea on day three, leaving
the tourists in a strong position.

Latham was dismissed for eight, caught behind off the second ball bowled by
off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who shapes as a key figure on a spin-friendly wicket
after taking four wickets in the first innings.

Earlier, Australia lost their last six wickets in the space of 13 overs after
lunch on a Basin Reserve pitch taking considerable turn and offering
inconsistent bounce to the seam bowlers.

Part-time off-spinner Phillips capitalised, tearing through the middle order
to claim career-best figures of 5-45.

Phillips, who didn't bowl in the first innings, became just the second New
Zealand spinner to take a five-for at the Basin Reserve in 34 years.

It should have been six but Australian captain Pat Cummins was dropped twice
in the outfield off Phillips' bowling late in the innings.

New Zealand made two breakthroughs in the first session, removing
nightwatchman Lyon for Australia's top score of 41 and opener Usman Khawaja
for 28.

An aggressive Lyon struck six fours, including three in succession off New
Zealand captain Tim Southee, before being caught an over later by a leaping
Will Young at mid-wicket off Matt Henry's bowling.

Khawaja was more circumspect but lost composure when he advanced down the
pitch to Phillips and was stumped.

First-innings centurion Cameron Green scored 34 and Travis Head 29 but the
end of their 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket sparked a collapse.

Head miscued Phillips to be caught at long-on, before the spinner removed
Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey to close catchers.

Green, who scored a career-high unbeaten 174 in the first innings, was also
caught in close before Henry picked up the last two wickets to finish with 3-
36.

New Zealand's Will O'Rourke left the field after pulling up with a tight
hamstring in his eighth over, putting the seamer in doubt for the second and
final Test in Christchurch.