AUS beat NZ by 296 runs | Australia vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Test Match

That is it from the first Test then! Many expected Australia to win but sadly, there was barely any fight from the Kiwis. Probably the toss loaded things too heavily in the hosts' favour. Now, back to red-ball cricket. And the second game will be played on a memorable occasion. The Boxing Day. Join us on Thursday, 26th December, 2019 at 11 am local (0000 GMT) from the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is the same day when England kick off their much-awaited tour of South Africa. A big day awaits. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

MITCHELL STARC HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. On being asked about the toughness regarding the heat and a bowler down, Starc says that it was very tough but praises all his mates, including Marnus Labuschagne, especially his bowling. On his refound form, Mitchell says that he has made some technical changes and with Andre Adams in the bowling setup, it has helped him immensely. Is looking forward to the break and playing some golf before the second Test.

Victorious Australian skipper, Tim Paine, is very happy to take a 1-0 lead. Believes that the first innings batting set the game up. Adds that bowling last is always in your favour. Praises the bowling attack for taking 20 wickets in 105 overs. Credits Lyon and Starc for being outstanding and also has a word of praise for Marnus Labuschagne.

New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, manages to put on a smile. Admits that the heat was challenging and so was the opposition. Praises them for batting superbly in the heat and admires the smartness in bowling under the lights in the first innings. Agrees that the first innings with the bat cost his side the game as it was very difficult to bounce back after that. Wants his unit to take some time off and regroup for the second Test. Admits that the pitch was a lot different from the one at home but also says that international cricket is all about adjustment.

Nice to see this. Kane Williamson and David Warner are having a chat. They play for the same team in the Indian T20 League, Hyderabad. Both are smiling, clearly appreciating each other's efforts. Now, Starc joins them. Really good camaraderie. Now, the presentation comes up...

Nathan Lyon has a chat with Kate Loughnan. The offie praises the team for the commendable performance and is proud of the big boys for stepping up and beating the number 2 Test team in the world. On being asked about the magnitude of the win, Lyon says that Australia have been very consistent and he is not too surprised. Feels lucky to have dismissed Kane Williamson and cheekily says that he had no idea that he was on a hat-trick in the second innings. On Starc's 9-fer, 'Gary' calls him very special working his back side off consistently.

It was not as if New Zealand did not have anything in this game. Southee and Wagner got 4 each in the first innings while they combined to take 8 again in the second, as Southee got a 5-fer. With the bat, Ross Taylor's 80 gave them some respectability in the first innings while Watling and de Grandhomme's efforts in the second dig ensured that there was some fight shown. But clearly, they required more. Kane Williamson not performing in both innings hurt them.

For a change, Steven Smith did not do much. Neither did David Warner. But an upcoming youngster in Marnus Labuschagne stepped up. He got his third successive ton and almost got the record of becoming the first Aussie and just the third overall to score a hat-trick of 150s in Tests. His century ensured that New Zealand were on the back foot as Australia got to 416. Then, as one expected, Starc was menacing with the ball under lights and his 5-fer just pushed the Kiwis to the hilt. Once the 250-run lead was taken, there was no doubt who was going to win the game.

Was the game won even before it started? You never know. Trent Boult was ruled out and that gave immense strength and advantage to Australia. Boult with the pink ball might have done what Starc did and the game might have been in the balance. To add to that, Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of bowling on Day 2 and that hurt them very, very badly.

Right. Another win for Australia in a Day/Night Test. A complete drubbing of New Zealand. Half the battle was won at the toss and once they got past 400 in the first innings, it was always going to be an uphill task for the Kiwis to stay with them in the game.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Starc does not get a 10-fer. We do not have a Day 5. Lyon finishes things off. Full and outside off, Southee comes forward to defend but the ball spins in slightly, takes the outside edge and goes straight to first slip. An easy chance for Steven Smith this time and he makes no mistake. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 296 RUNS!

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Around off, pushed down the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Full and outside off, pushed down the ground towards the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. Length delivery on off, Southee plays it towards covers for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Lockie Ferguson. Length delivery on off, Ferguson plays it towards point for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Lockie Ferguson. On a good length on off, Ferguson defends it off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. Full delivery on middle, Southee flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. FOUR LEG BYES! Short delivery on leg, Southee looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The fielder tries to stop it but it goes through him for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. Bowls it down the leg side, Southee looks to go after it but misses it.

Pat Cummins to Lockie Ferguson. Short of a length delivery outside off, Ferguson looks to pull but misses it.

Pat Cummins to Lockie Ferguson. On a good length on middle, Ferguson blocks it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Lockie Ferguson. Bowls a bouncer again, Ferguson does well to duck under it.

Pat Cummins to Lockie Ferguson. Short delivery on off, Ferguson looks to defend but gets it off the gloves. It goes towards the slip region.