Cricket world blown away by strange sight during Australia and New Zealand first Test

Cricket fans have been left praising the stadium officials at the Basin Reserve after spectators were allowed onto the ground at the lunch break in the first Test between New Zealand and Australia. Tim Southee sent Australia into bat on day one of the Test match after a green pitch offered promising signs for the New Zealand attack.

Steve Smith fell after a good start, but Australia were able to battle their way to 1-61 at lunch on the first day at the Basin. The sun came out halfway through the first session and a healthy crowd was on hand to watch some fascinating cricket.

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And fans around the world were left in awe as spectators were afforded the opportunity to make their way onto the field during the lunch break to enjoy a run around. The family-friendly move is a huge eye-opener for many cricket fans around the world, including Australia, where spectators are not allowed onto the surface at any stage.

While the pitch is cordoned off to avoid any deterioration from foot marks, fans are allowed to take in the scenes in Wellington from out in the middle. Fans were envious of the scenes in New Zealand with such a beautiful backdrop to the stadium.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne struggle

Australia endured a horror second session on the first day in New Zealand having lost Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Kahwaja and Travis Head to leave them reeling at 4-99. Smith would have been disappointed having looked so strong in New Zealand, before falling for 31.

His dismissal saw Labuschagne enter the crease under pressure having endured a lean run of form. He has only scored one century in his last 35 innings, which saw him hit triple-figures against England. And he didn't last long having struggled to score, before falling for just one off 27 balls.

Labuschagne's last five scores read: 1, 5, 3, 1 not out and 10. His inability to get into an innings has also prompted questions over his form having endured a really tough summer. The pitch was proving difficult after the sun came out at lunch with Khawaja cleaned bowled after a Matt Henry stunner that swung back to the left-hander.

Head then lasted only six balls before edging a Will O'Rourke delivery to send him back to the pavilion. Southee's decision to bowl first came under criticism after the first session, but it was justified following an onslaught after lunch.

Both teams expected there to be something in the pitch for the batter and bowlers, but the rye-grass pitch was very green to start the day. And Southee took the chance to bowl first against the Aussies. "We've played enough here to know it's a pretty good surface ... hopefully there's a little bit early on," Southee said.

Australian captain Pat Cummins had the same thinking as Southee and admitted if he won the toss, New Zealand would have been sent in to bat. "We were going to bowl but not too upset with that," he said. "Seems like there has been some first innings scores that have been big so that's the aim today ... excited to get out there with a bit of colour in it."

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