Spinner Nathan Lyon showcased a masterful display of bowling prowess, claiming six wickets for 65 runs as Australia triumphed over New Zealand in the first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve.
His stellar performance inspired Australia's emphatic victory by 172 runs, propelling them to a 1-0 lead in the series.
New Zealand's pursuit of a challenging target of 369 runs was thwarted by Lyon's exceptional bowling skills. He dismantled the opposition, dismissing key batsmen Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, and Glenn Phillips early on the fourth day, paving the way for Australia's success. Lyon's feat marked his remarkable 24th Test five-wicket haul, solidifying his reputation as a premier spin bowler on the international stage.
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The match witnessed a historic moment as Lyon became the first spinner since Daniel Vettori and Muttiah Muralitharan to claim 10 or more wickets in a Test match in New Zealand. Additionally, Lyon and Glenn Phillips' performance marked the first instance of two spin bowlers securing a five-wicket haul in a Test match in New Zealand since Vettori and Muralitharan's achievement in Wellington.
Furthermore, Lyon's achievement extends beyond borders, as he joins the elite company alongside Muralitharan by securing a five-wicket haul in Test cricket across nine host countries. This remarkable feat underscores Lyon's versatility and dominance as one of the world's premier spin bowlers.
Lyon's five-for record compared to Warne, Muralitharan and Kumble
| Name | Best Figures | No. of 5-fors (Overseas) | No. of 5-fors (Home) | Countries |
| Nathan Lyon | 8/50 (India) | 15 | 9 | 9 (India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia) |
| Shane Warne | 8/71 (England) | 20 | 15 | 8 (India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia) |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 9/51 (South Africa) | 22 | 45 | 9 (India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe) |
| R Ashwin | 7/59 (Australia) | 8 | 27 | 4 (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, West Indies, India) |
| Harbhajan Singh | 8/84 (Australia) | 7 | 18 | 6 (India, West Indies, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa) |
| Anil Kumble | 10/74 (Pakistan) | 10 | 25 | 6 (India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Australia, Pakistan) |