Australia are on the cusp of returning to the top of world cricket after Nathan Lyon's four-wicket haul fast-tracked a crushing innings victory over New Zealand in the first Test. 
Needing six wickets to claim a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, Australia finished off the Black Caps about an hour after lunch on the fourth day, giving their bowlers a well earned day off.
The innings and 52-run annihilation was Australia's third biggest Test win on New Zealand soil. It would have been their heaviest in New Zealand if not for some wild late hitting by Tim Southee, who smashed 48 off 23 balls.
This was a terrible result for the home side in captain Brendon McCullum's 100th Test. They pride themselves on being difficult to beat but never at any stage on the fourth day did they look like they could make Australia bat again.
Lyon claimed four wickets, extracting decent turn on the fourth day, while Mitchell Marsh again underlined his value with the ball with three. Peter Siddle returned to the field after suffering back spasms late on Sunday but was not required to bowl.
The Australians need only a draw in the second Test in Christchurch, starting Saturday, to reclaim the No. 1 Test ranking from India.
It was a high-class performance by Steve Smith's side, who made all the running from the moment the captain called correctly at the toss on Friday morning. The Australians had arguably the better of conditions to bat and were handed a huge slice of luck by the reprieve of Adam Voges but there can be no doubt they were clearly the better side in Wellington.
They displayed better technique and skill and showed good temperament with the bat when the going was tough on the first day then cashed in with big scores once the pitch flattened. While Voges and Khawaja made huge centuries, Martin Guptill and Tom Latham both gave away their wickets when big scores were at their mercy.
New Zealand's middle and lower order were no match for a pitch that offered more turn on Monday, nor were they able to effectively combat the reverse swing generated by Marsh, who was again impressive with the ball.
The all-rounder still needs to prove himself with the bat at Test level but his seam bowling is proving an invaluable asset. It is not a stretch to say that Marsh has become Smith's most dependable quick after pace spearhead Hazlewood. Unlike Siddle and James Pattinson, he is fit and match-hardened. Smith turned to Marsh and Hazlewood at the start of the day, bowling full lines to maximise the reverse swing on offer. Marsh was rewarded with the wicket of Corey Anderson, who had defended stoutly for half an hour, albeit for no score, before missing an in-swinger and being trapped in front. Any hope of a miracle evaporated when B.J. Watling and Henry Nicholls were dismissed in the hour before lunch.