The first Test between Australia and New Zealand was being played at the Optus Perth Stadium in Perth. This is a day-night Test match being played with the pink ball and looked to be an exciting one, given that the home side had beaten Pakistan 2-0, while the visitors had defeated England 1-0 at home.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first and went in unchanged for the match. New Zealand, on the other hand, brought in Lockie Ferguson for Trent Boult in this match for his Test debut. Colin de Grandhomme got rid of Joe Burns for 9, while Warner, who was looking very good, was caught and bowled by Neil Wagner spectacularly for 43 runs.  

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith tried to steady the ship a bit, but Wagner took the wicket of Smith for 43 runs and Wade was bowled by Southee for 10. Labuschagne kept going at one end and ended up 110* in 202 balls with 14 fours and 1 six at the end of day’s play with Travis Head for the company at 20*. For New Zealand, Wagner picked 2/52, while De Grandhomme and Southee picked a wicket each.

Australia ended on 248/4 at the end of the day’s play.  

BRIEF SCORES:
AUS 248/4 (M LABUSCHAGNE 110*; D WARNER 43; N WAGNER 2/52)