New Zealand dismissed for 202 in first day night Test

With a dozen wickets tumbling, the pink ball swinging seriously under lights and Australia’s leading paceman limping off injured, the opening day of the first day-night cricket test was as extraordinary as organizers could have hoped.

Mitchell Starc has suffered a stress fracture and will not be able to bowl in the remainder of the ongoing third Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide.

Latham raised his half century with a cut boundary against Lyon in the over before lunch, reaching his 50 from 92 balls.

Fellow opener Burns was bowled after getting an inside edge on a Bracewell delivery, but captain Steve Smith (24 not out) and Adam Voges (9 not out) ensured Australia were just two down at stumps and trail by 148.

Starc, who has delayed surgery on bone spurs in his right ankle to avoid a long layoff during the Australian summer, is at risk of missing the upcoming three-test series against the West Indies.

Starc returned with 3 for 24 before leaving the field with an ankle injury and heading to a hospital for scans, leaving Australia team masseur Grant Baldwin to fill in as a substitute fielder. The pink balls have been specifically designed for the day-night matches; After 138 years, for the first time, the five-day game will be played under lights.

McCullum showed no interest in a patient captain’s knock and was caught behind for four slashing wildly at Starc.

Lyon added to New Zealand’s pain by bowling spinner Mark Craig for 11, with a ball that turned sharply.

Smith, coach Darren Lehmann, David Warner – who was first to Hughes when he was felled – and others stood near the fence and watched a tribute which featured photos of Hughes as a boy and video highlights of his career as an Australian player.

But while it has been too early to make judgements over whether pink balls in Test cricket are, indeed, the future, the popularity of day-night action seemed to be as strong as ever. Total: (for 2 wickets in 22 overs) 54.

New Zealand, unbeaten in their past seven Test series since 2013, will have to win the historic Test to draw the series after Australia won the Brisbane opener by 208 runs and last week’s second Test in Perth finished in a high-scoring draw. Obviously a few wickets tumbled, and the game’s definitely progressed.

The third match of the Test series (Trans-Tasman trophy) between Australia and New Zealand will see this inaugural experimental day-night Test.