New Zealand's Brent Arnel celebrates his first test wicket,
Australia's Phil Hughes for 20, on the first day of the
first test at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. Credit:NZPA /
Ross Setford
Brent Arnel struck in his first over of test cricket but
Australia still made a rapid start to the first test after
opting to bat first against New Zealand in
Wellington today.
Arnel, 31, removed recalled opener Phil Hughes for 20 with
his fifth delivery as the tourists reached 49 for one after
the first hour of play at a sun-drenched Basin Reserve.
Captain Ricky Ponting, who won his sixth consecutive toss of
the tour, was unbeaten on 17 with opener Simon Katich on
seven.
New Zealand handed tall Northern Districts paceman Arnel a
debut at the expense of spinner Jeetan Patel and he made an
immediate impact at first change.
Hughes, who raced to 20 off 24 balls with four boundaries,
cut loosely and edged a simple catch to Ross Taylor at first
slip.
Arnel gave Ponting some anxious moments, including an lbw
shout when he offered no shot on 13.
Chris Martin got some useful outswing to the left-handers but
went wicketless in a six-over opening spell for 16 runs,
while Tim Southee was spelled after going for 10 off two
overs.
Key Australian allrounder Shane Watson was a late scratching
due to a hip/gluteal injury, apparently inflicted by New
Zealand paceman Shane Bond during the fourth Chappell-Hadlee
Trophy one-dayer.
He was replaced bu Hughes, while Queensland paceman Ryan
Harris was passed fit for a test debut after being in doubt
with a side strain.
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