Sears’ third ball in Test cricket hit gold when Smith’s attempt to shoulder arms backfired: the ball angled in off length and had him in a tangle. He was hit on the pads, and the hosts went to in appeal right away. Nitin Menon didn’t take too long to judge him out.

Steve Smith, though, wasn’t really convinced: he instantly reviewed it, but replays only confirmed his misjudgement. With Smith having shouldered arms, the impact didn’t matter, and the ball did enough to cut in and clipped the stumps.

Smith departed for 11 off 24, and was followed back soon by opening partner Usman Khawaja, as Australia slipped to 32-2 in response to New Zealand’s 162 all out. Earlier, only Tom Latham could get past 30 as Josh Hazlewood rocked their top order with a five-wicket haul, including the scalp of Kane Williamson, playing his 100th Test alongside Tim Southee.

In seven innings as opener so far, Smith averages 32.40, with one fifty – a fine 91* against West Indies. However, he’s only crossed 30 once in the other six.

Watch: Debutant Ben Sears snares Steve Smith

The BLACKCAPS have the wicket of Steve Smith and Ben Sears has his maiden test wicket! 🔥 @BLACKCAPS v Australia: 2nd Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/B8BSveZvRF

— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) March 8, 2024