Twitter reactions: Josh Hazlewood dismantles New Zealand before Matt Henry’s late strikes blow away Australia’s top order

In a gripping display of pace bowling mastery, Josh Hazlewood picked a remarkable five-wicket haul to dismantle New Zealand ꦛfor 162 on the Day 1 of the second Test in Christchurch.

However, an inspired spell by Matt Henry late in the day injected some hope for the Black Caps, with Australia finishing at 124/4 at stumps, trailing by just 38 runs. Marnus Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 45, accompanied by night watchman Nathan Lyon on one.

New Zealand’s top-order collapse: Josh Hazlewood strikes early

Sent in to bat on a green wicket at Hagley Oval, New Zealand’s top order faced a stern test. While openers Tom Latham and Will Young initially survived the new ball, a collapse ensued on either side of lunch. Mitchell Starc accounted for the first wicket, inducing a leading edge from Young, caught by Mitchell Marsh at third slip for 14. Latham followed suit, feathering Hazlewood to keeper Alex Carey for 38, ending a promising innings.

Hazlewood’s double impact: Dismiss Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson

Hazlewood continued to torment the Kiwi batters, securing Rachin Ravindra‘s wicket with a well-disguised edge, comfortably caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip. Ravindra departed for just 4 on the brink of lunch. After the interval, Hazlewood added Daryl Mitchell and the crucial wicket of captain Kane Williamson to his tally, leaving New Ze🐷aland ree🌠ling at 107/5.

Mitchell Starc’s quick double: Glenn Phillips and Scott Kuggeleijn fall in succession

Starc chipped in with a quick double, dismissing Glenn Phillips and Scott Kuggeleijn in consecutive deliveries, further deepening New Zealand’s troubles. Cameron Green joined the wicket-taking spree, strangling Tom Blundell down the leg side to see the hosts slump to 107/8. Henry and Tim Southee provided a brief fireworks display, but Pat Cummins and Hazle🥂wood dismissed them, ending the Kiwi in✃nings at 162.

Australia’s response: Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja depart early

In reply, Australia faced some early setbacks, losing openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja with just 32 runs on the board. Smith fell victim to young seamer Ben Sears, who trapped him in front for 11. Khawaja’s misfortune led to his departure for 16, as a thigh pad deflection ricocheted into the leg stump off Henry’s delivery.

Also WATCH: S✱teve Smith’s brain fade moment 𝕴against New Zealand debutant Ben Sears

Matt Henry’s late magic: Remove Cameron Green and Travis Head

Henry’s magical over troubled Green, eventually castling him and then removed Travis Head for 21, inducing a bottom edge that carried to Blundell. Despite these late breakthrough𝄹s, Australia finished the day at 124/4, firmly holding the advantage but wary of the late sparks displayed by Henry. The stage is set for an intriguing second day in Christchurch.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Josh Hazlewood in BEAST mode today. Top class bowౠling, joy to watch.

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog)

They’re muttering under their breath, and aღt a fair distance from Sir Richard Hadlee, in the member’s area at Hagley about if Josh Hazlewood is the modern-day Ric⛦hard Hadlee. They might have a point too

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)

//twitter.com/diminutiveroꦕwdy/status/1765974186223075564

Hazlewood's spell so far is 6-3-7-4 and it has been every bit as good as those figures suggest

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig)

A𝔍ustralia bowl out New Ze🗹aland for 162 in the first innings:

— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)

Hazlewood is like the smiling assassin with the ball. Gets the results nearly all the time too.🤡 What looked good for NZ prior to wickets falling (0/47 and 1/61) has quickly turned to aဣ bit of a nightmare at 5/93

𓂃— Davis &qu﷽ot;LIONS" Harrigan (Digi) 🦁 (@DeadlineDavis)

Not a fan of the word 'underrated'. But I think Matt Henry definitely falls into that category

— Stefan (@StefHa_11)

Travel plans got nixed. Had to head home. Finally get to watch some cricket and witness one of the best overs of pace bowling I've ever seen from a New Zealander.
Take a bow, Matt Henry.

— @mജahiasian.bsky.social (BlackcapGunnerMagpie) (@1stchoicetaken)

Josh Hazlewood's record since the start of Australia's Test summer: 34 wickets at 13.7.

— Andrew Wu (@wutube)

There's no stopping Josh Hazlewood! Could put it on a dime!!!

— Lachlan Mosley (@BlackBookRacing)

Thank goodness for Matt Henry. T🅷op wicket taker ⛦and top runscorer for NZ in this series.

— Jason Pine (@pineynz)

Matt Henry curren♔tly specialising in six ball short stories with dark endings. The fast bowling equivalent of ‘For sale: baby shoes, never worn.’

— Dan Liebke (@danliebke)

Matt Henry is turning it 🧸up at at the H꧒agley oval,superb spell this 🥵🔥

— Aditya (@Aditya82313733)

If Matt Henry will keep averaging more than Sir Richard Hadlee with the bat, we'll have to start talking about him as an all-rounder.

— VJM Publishing (@VJMPub)

Stumps on Day 1 at Hagley Oval𒊎 🏏 Matt Henry (3-39) leads with the ball in the third session. Head to or the NZC App for the full scorecard 📲

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)

STUMPS: What a day!

14 wickets fall on the opening day in Christchurch – whew!

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)

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