On this day in 2015: Australia wins the first day-night Test
Australia are the best side when it comes to the pink-ball Test match as they are yet to taste defeat under the lights. The Aussies have registered some memorable victories in this form of the game with their best performance being the Adelaide Test in December 2020 where they humiliated India by reducing them to 36/9.
While Australia holds a dominating 9-0 record in day-night Tests, it was on this very day in 2015 that they ended up winning the first-ever pink-ball Test match. Australia hosted Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the first-ever day-night Test match at the Adelaide Oval. The Aussies were crowned world champions earlier that year at home against the very same opposition and it was a perfect occasion to add yet another feather in their cap.
However, there was no edge-of-the-seat thriller or a nail-biting finish as this contest was wrapped up shortly after dinner on Day 3. New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum called it right at the toss and he elected to bat first. Even though the coin did land in the favour of the visitors, the batters could not do any justice as they were bowled out for only 202 runs on the board with opener Tom Latham (50) being the only half-centurion as Australian frontline pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets each.
The hosts in their first innings could not do any better as they were all out for only 224 runs. Peter Nevill (66) and captain Steve Smith (53) were the top performers for the Aussies. Doug Bracewell (3/18) was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers.
It was a very good chance for New Zealand to score some quick runs and post a mammoth target for the Aussies in the fourth innings. Nonetheless, that was not to be as they yet again suffered a e batting failure to be skittled out for a paltry 208 in their second innings, thereby posting a target of 187 runs for the opposition. Hazlewood was the star of the Australian bowlers with outstanding figures of 6/70.
The target looked easy, but the Kiwis were not ready to give up without a fight and their bowlers succeeding in accounting for the Australian top and middle-order at regular intervals. However, eventually, Australia got over the line by three wickets and more than two days to spare. Hazlewood was adjudged the Player of the Match for taking nine wickets in the contest.
