Starc removes Williamson, New Zealand reach 80-2

By Ian Ransom

ADELAIDE (Reuters) – Australia paceman Mitchell Starc captured the prized wicket of Kane Williamson late in the session as New Zealand reached 80-2 at the first interval on day one of the inaugural day-night test in Adelaide on Friday.

Starc unleashed a trademark searing yorker to trap the in-form batsman for 22 after he and opener Tom Latham had threatened to get on top of the Australian attack.

Josh Hazlewood was the first bowler to take a wicket in the historic match at Adelaide Oval after he trapped opener Martin Guptill lbw for one run in his second over.

Guptill’s opening partner Latham was a model of composure against the pink ball, reaching his half-century in the final over before the break, which was termed “tea” rather than “lunch” in keeping with the late scheduling of the match.

Latham was on 50, with Ross Taylor on seven.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and had little hesitation in choosing to bat first despite the pitch showing a green tinge.

Australia, who lead the series 1-0, have already retained the Trans-Tasman trophy following the draw in Perth, but New Zealand have a proud record to defend, having not been defeated in seven test series since 2013 under McCullum.

New Zealand picked a second spinner in uncapped 23-year-old all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who replaces seamer Matt Henry, while paceman Trent Boult has been selected after recovering from a back complaint.

Santner will bat sixth in the order.

Following the retirement of Mitchell Johnson after the Perth test, Peter Siddle joins Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s pace attack, with James Pattinson the 12th man.

Batsman Shaun Marsh came into the side in place of the injured Usman Khawaja, but will bat fifth in the order.

Hazlewood was the pick of Australia’s bowlers in the session but there were few genuine chances, with some movement off the pitch but negligible swing on a day of brilliant sunshine.

Spinner Nathan Lyon managed to deceive Williamson shortly after the drinks break with a delivery that dipped sharply, but the batsman’s miscued drive flew just out of reach of the diving bowler.

Starc, starting his second spell, rapped Williamson on the pads moments later, but the appeal for lbw was turned down and Smith declined to call for a review, though the ball-tracking technology showed the ball clipping a bail.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)