Cricket: Pattinson Gives Australia Upper Hand on Day 1 Against New Zealand

A five-wicket bag from new boy James Pattinson has given Australia the upper hand on Day 1 of the second Test between Australia and New Zealand in Hobart today. 

The sides were met with a very green wicket when they arrived at the Bellerive Oval this morning, and when Michael Clarke won the toss, he had no hesitation in sending the New Zealanders into bat.

The move turned out to be a good one, as the Australian seamers got the best out of a wicket that was always going to be difficult to bat on. Pattinson and Peter Siddle wreaked havoc through the New Zealand top order, proving to be very hard to play and taking three and two wickets respectively.

Mitchell Starc added the scalp of Kane Williamson to these five, leaving New Zealand with a very sorry-looking scorecard, finding themselves 60/6 at lunch.

The second session saw New Zealand begin to fight back, with Dean Brownlie and Doug Bracewell providing the best resistance of the innings. But it didn't last, as Siddle claimed his third wicket, dismissing Doug Bracewell for 12, although the pair had put on 45 for New Zealand's best partnership.

Brownlie would go on to reach his second 50 of the series, but was dismissed soon after and with him went New Zealand's hopes of a fight back were dashed.

They were left with a total of 150 in which to defend, but a session in which to try to get some of the movement out of the pitch that the Australian bowlers found.

Sure enough, Chris Martin and debutant Trent Boult had the Australian openers struggling, and it took just three overs for Martin to find the edge he was seeking, sending Phil Hughes on his way for four.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja survived the next two overs before rain stopped play, robbing the New Zealand bowlers of the chance to seek any more from the wicket on Day 1.

Australia resume tomorrow at 12/1, with Warner on seven and Khawaja on one.