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The battle between Nathan Lyon and Ross Taylor in Perth made for intriguing viewing, and round two awaits them in the Boxing Day Test.
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon says he "loved" his head-to-head battle with star New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, and the duo are ready for round two in the Boxing Day Test.
Taylor was NZ's best batsman in his team's 296-run loss in the day-night Test in Perth, posting scores of 80 and 22.
The 35-year-old made a point to go after Lyon in the first innings in an attempt to smack the spinner out of the attack.
It was a battle Lyon embraced - and eventually won.
Lyon wore down Taylor before inviting an edge just before a drinks break on day three, with Steve Smith gobbling up the catch at first slip.
"Obviously Ross has been a world class player for a long period of time now," Lyon said.
"He wanted to take me on to probably limit how many balls he had to defend off me with the variable bounce and the amount of bounce I was able to get out there.
"It was a great battle. I love being able to have those little battles when one of the best batters in the world wants to take you down and hit you out of the attack.
"It can be challenging but I've always loved challenges, and I'm never going to shy away from one, so it's pretty special."
Lyon was criticised earlier in his career for not being able to bowl Australia to victory in fourth innings.
That criticism has long been banished given Lyon's heroics in recent years.
The 32-year-old was at it again on Sunday, snaring 4-63 to help skittle NZ for 171 in their second innings.
Lyon snared the key scalps of Tom Latham and Kane Williamson among his haul.
It followed on from his second-innings haul of 5-69 in the second Test against Pakistan in Adelaide.
The MCG has been a batsman's paradise in recent years, but it remains to be seen what sort of pitch awaits NZ and Australia for the Boxing Day Test.
If another flat wicket is produced, Lyon says he'll embrace the extra workload.
"I'm just lucky I'm part of the best bowling squad in the world. It's pretty special," Lyon said.
