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That is it from the first Test then! Many expected Australia to win but sadly, there was barely any fight from the Kiwis. Probably the toss loaded things too heavily in the hosts' favour. Now, back to red-ball cricket. And the second game will be played on a memorable occasion. The Boxing Day. Join us on Thursday, 26th December, 2019 at 11 am local (0000 GMT) from the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is the same day when England kick off their much-awaited tour of South Africa. A big day awaits. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

MITCHELL STARC HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. On being asked about the toughness regarding the heat and a bowler down, Starc says that it was very tough but praises all his mates, including Marnus Labuschagne, especially his bowling. On his refound form, Mitchell says that he has made some technical changes and with Andre Adams in the bowling setup, it has helped him immensely. Is looking forward to the break and playing some golf before the second Test.

Victorious Australian skipper, Tim Paine, is very happy to take a 1-0 lead. Believes that the first innings batting set the game up. Adds that bowling last is always in your favour. Praises the bowling attack for taking 20 wickets in 105 overs. Credits Lyon and Starc for being outstanding and also has a word of praise for Marnus Labuschagne.

New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, manages to put on a smile. Admits that the heat was challenging and so was the opposition. Praises them for batting superbly in the heat and admires the smartness in bowling under the lights in the first innings. Agrees that the first innings with the bat cost his side the game as it was very difficult to bounce back after that. Wants his unit to take some time off and regroup for the second Test. Admits that the pitch was a lot different from the one at home but also says that international cricket is all about adjustment.

Nice to see this. Kane Williamson and David Warner are having a chat. They play for the same team in the Indian T20 League, Hyderabad. Both are smiling, clearly appreciating each other's efforts. Now, Starc joins them. Really good camaraderie. Now, the presentation comes up...

Nathan Lyon has a chat with Kate Loughnan. The offie praises the team for the commendable performance and is proud of the big boys for stepping up and beating the number 2 Test team in the world. On being asked about the magnitude of the win, Lyon says that Australia have been very consistent and he is not too surprised. Feels lucky to have dismissed Kane Williamson and cheekily says that he had no idea that he was on a hat-trick in the second innings. On Starc's 9-fer, 'Gary' calls him very special working his back side off consistently.

It was not as if New Zealand did not have anything in this game. Southee and Wagner got 4 each in the first innings while they combined to take 8 again in the second, as Southee got a 5-fer. With the bat, Ross Taylor's 80 gave them some respectability in the first innings while Watling and de Grandhomme's efforts in the second dig ensured that there was some fight shown. But clearly, they required more. Kane Williamson not performing in both innings hurt them.

For a change, Steven Smith did not do much. Neither did David Warner. But an upcoming youngster in Marnus Labuschagne stepped up. He got his third successive ton and almost got the record of becoming the first Aussie and just the third overall to score a hat-trick of 150s in Tests. His century ensured that New Zealand were on the back foot as Australia got to 416. Then, as one expected, Starc was menacing with the ball under lights and his 5-fer just pushed the Kiwis to the hilt. Once the 250-run lead was taken, there was no doubt who was going to win the game.

Was the game won even before it started? You never know. Trent Boult was ruled out and that gave immense strength and advantage to Australia. Boult with the pink ball might have done what Starc did and the game might have been in the balance. To add to that, Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of bowling on Day 2 and that hurt them very, very badly.

Right. Another win for Australia in a Day/Night Test. A complete drubbing of New Zealand. Half the battle was won at the toss and once they got past 400 in the first innings, it was always going to be an uphill task for the Kiwis to stay with them in the game.

65.3

W

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Starc does not get a 10-fer. We do not have a Day 5. Lyon finishes things off. Full and outside off, Southee comes forward to defend but the ball spins in slightly, takes the outside edge and goes straight to first slip. An easy chance for Steven Smith this time and he makes no mistake. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 296 RUNS!

65.2

.

Around off, pushed down the ground.

65.1

.

Full and outside off, pushed down the ground towards the bowler.

Nathan Lyon comes back on. 22-3-63-3 so far.

64.6

1

Length delivery on off, Southee plays it towards covers for a single.

64.5

1

Length delivery on off, Ferguson plays it towards point for a single.

64.4

.

On a good length on off, Ferguson defends it off the back foot.

64.3

1

Full delivery on middle, Southee flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

64.2

4lb

FOUR LEG BYES! Short delivery on leg, Southee looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The fielder tries to stop it but it goes through him for a boundary.

64.1

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Southee looks to go after it but misses it.

63.6

.

Short of a length delivery outside off, Ferguson looks to pull but misses it.

63.5

.

On a good length on middle, Ferguson blocks it off the back foot.

63.4

.

Bowls a bouncer again, Ferguson does well to duck under it.

63.3

.

Short delivery on off, Ferguson looks to defend but gets it off the gloves. It goes towards the slip region.

63.2

.

Bowls a bouncer on leg, Ferguson ducks under it.

63.1

1

Short delivery on leg, Southee flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket. It lands safely in no man's land. The batsmen take a single.

Australia will have to wait for the victory celebration. Lockie Ferguson does come out to bat at number 11. Starc may not mind that. A second 5-fer in the game awaits...

62.6

W

OUT! Caught behind and Starc has 9 in the match! A length ball, around middle, Wagner looks to defend but the ball angles away, takes the outside edge and goes to Tim Paine. Starc starts to celebrate and is that the end of the game? Will Lockie Ferguson come out to bat?

62.5

6

SIX! Off the top edge! A short ball, outside leg, Wagner looks to tuck it to the leg side, with his eyes closed. The ball comes in at sheer pace and goes off the top edge, all the way over third man!

62.4

2

Short delivery on leg, Wagner flicks it over square leg. The batsmen get two runs.

62.3

.

BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery! On a good length and outside off, Wagner looks to defend but misses it.

62.2

1

Good length delivery on off, Southee plays it towards the off side and takes a quick run.

62.1

.

On a good length on middle, Southee nudges it towards short leg.

61.6

.

A short ball, as expected, down the leg side, Wagner tucks it fine and almost hits it straight to leg gully! Goes on the bounce.

The moment Matthew Wade has been waiting all day. Neil Wagner has come in to bat. After being hit by a few bouncers this afternoon, Wade will be looking to be right in Wagner's ears. But we are going to have a delay. The sky camera has got stuck, at around 12 feet over the pitch, right in the centre. There seems to be a power issue. Finally, it is sorted.

61.5

W

OUT! That is a stunning catch! The short stuff gets Santner. He was never looking comfortable and departs for a 8-ball duck. But what concentration from Travis Head! It is never easy to field for a fast bowler but Head did not move an inch. Normally, players take their eyes off and look for cover. But not Head. A short ball, right at the body from around the wicket, Mitchell cannot do much other than hop and tamely fend at it. The ball goes straight off the face of the bat, straight to silly point who just takes it calmly. Or makes it look pretty simple.

61.4

.

Good length delivery on off, Santner defends it out.

61.3

.

On a good length on middle, Santner blocks it off the back foot.

61.2

.

Short delivery again down the leg side, Santner does not bother to play at that.

61.1

.

Short of a length delivery down the leg side, Santner leaves it alone.

Tim Southee walks in at number 9, replacing Watling.

60.6

W

OUT! There is a faint mark on Hot Spot and Watling is caught down the leg side! A very bizarre moment for Australia. A short ball down the leg side, Watling got across and looked to fend but seemed to have missed. Now, there was a noise. Paine heard it. Or he looked to be the only one who heard it. He straightaway ran to the bowler in celebration and then started to appeal. But umpire Nigel Llong, seemingly looking frustrated at the continuous appeals from Australia all day, shook his head. For a change, Paine did not ask anyone. ANYONE. Smith at first slip did not move an inch while Starc was just looking to go back to his mark. Then suddenly, he sees his skipper go for the review and is clearly surprised, asking him whether he was sure! From the replays, to the naked eye, it looks the ball has hit the abdomen. But Hot Spot shows the tiniest of marks on the glove and then the abdomen! Nothing on the Snickometer but that does not matter. The decision is overturned and Watling has to depart. Well played, once again.

Massive shout for a catch down the leg side! Not out says, Nigel Llong. Paine takes the review. Starc himself is not sure and seems surprised that his skipper chose to review. A TINY MARK on the glove on Hot Spot. Nothing on Snicko. But the first evidence is enough. Miracle! Paine gets two reviews right!

60.5

.

Outside off, BJ does not bother to play at that.

60.4

.

On a good length on off, BJ blocks it off the back foot.

60.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Watling keeps it out.

60.2

.

On a good length on off, Watling blocks it off the back foot.

60.1

.

Length delivery on middle, Watling flicks it towards short leg.

59.6

.

OUCH! Did he pick that? Doesn't seem so. A short ball, around off, coming in with the angle, Santner stays back to fend at it but the ball hits his chest, then his neck and drops down.

59.5

.

A short ball, down the leg side, left alone. There is a leg gully in place.

59.4

.

A length ball, around off, defended solidly in front of short leg and silly point, right onto the middle of the pitch.

Mitchell Santner comes in at number 8, replacing de Grandhomme.

59.3

W

OUT! Edged and taken! Smith put one down earlier but he makes amends for that by taking a pretty decent catch. The batsman is different though. Colin de Grandhomme's wonderful fight ends. Much similar to the dismissal of Joe Burns on Saturday evening. Not exactly a brute but a toughie nevertheless. A length ball around off, de Grandhomme is forced to play at it but the ball seams away off the deck and takes Colin by surprise. He cannot do much having already committed into the shot. The outside edge is taken and it goes low to first slip where Steven Smith takes it safely, then dives forward. End of a wonderful 56-run stand.

59.2

1

Length delivery on middle, Watling flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

59.1

.

Short delivery down the leg side, Watling lets it go.

59.1

1wd

WIDE! Bowls a bouncer on leg, Watling does well to duck under it.

DRINKS BREAK. Superb from New Zealand. Superb from BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme. They never give up without a fight, do they? Rephrase. They never give up, do they? On a pitch where the Aussies lost 5/30 odd last evening and the Kiwis themselves collapsed on Day 2, they have been wicketless so far. It is that time of the day when the sun goes down and batting becomes tougher but the resilience has been excellent. Here comes Pat Cummins again. 16-5-28-0 so far.

58.6

.

Bowls a bouncer outside off, de Grandhomme watches it sail through to the keeper.

58.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Colin taps it to point.

58.4

.

On a good length on middle, de Grandhomme tucks it towards short leg.

58.3

.

Length delivery on off, de Grandhomme plays it to point.

58.2

.

Another bouncer, same reaction.

58.1

.

A bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under.

57.6

2

Flighted delivery on off, Watling looks to defend but gets an outside edge on this one. It goes towards third man. The batsmen pick up a couple.

57.5

.

Loopy delivery on middle, Watling defends it off the front foot.

57.4

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Watling flicks it to mid-wicket.

57.3

1

Floated delivery on middle, Colin nudges it towards square leg for a single. 150 up for New Zealand.

57.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, de Grandhomme defends it off the back foot.

57.1

1

Short delivery on middle, Watling pulls it through square leg. The batsmen take a single.

56.6

.

Length delivery on middle, de Grandhomme flicks it towards the leg side.

56.5

.

On a good length on off, Colin rises on his toes and defends it.

56.4

.

Bowls a bouncer, de Grandhomme ducks under it.

56.3

1lb

50-RUN STAND UP. Finally, some fight from New Zealand. Length delivery on middle, Watling looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards square leg. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye. 50-run stand is up between BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme.

56.2

.

On a good length on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot.

56.1

1

Length delivery on off, de Grandhomme taps it towards covers and takes a single.

Mitchell Starc returns. 9-3-32-2 so far.

55.6

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Watling blocks it well.

55.5

.

Floated delivery outside off, BJ shoulders arms to this one.

55.4

.

Loopy delivery outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one.

55.3

2

Full delivery on off, Watling drives it through covers. The batsmen get two runs.

55.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot.

55.1

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Watling plays it to point.

54.6

.

Full again, nicely kept out.

54.5

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

54.4

.

Around off, pushed back to Lyon again.

54.3

.

Around off, punched back to the bowler.

54.2

.

Full and around off solidly defended.

54.1

4

FOUR! Deftly done. Landed outside off, a touch short, de Grandhomme gets across and plays it with the massive turn, right off Paine's gloves, to the fine leg fence. Moves to 31 from 47 balls.

53.6

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Watling plays it to point.

53.5

1

Full delivery on off, de Grandhomme drives it through covers for a single.

53.4

.

Floated delivery on middle, de Grandhomme blocks it off the back foot.

53.3

.

Flighted delivery on middle, de Grandhomme looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Ball Tracker later shows it would have been umpire's call on impact and it would have been clipping the leg stump.

53.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, de Grandhomme defends it off the back foot.

53.1

1

Floated delivery on middle, Watling nudges it towards square leg for a run.

52.6

.

BEATEN! Tossed up delivery outside off, de Grandhomme looks to defend but misses it.

52.5

.

Loopy delivery on middle, de Grandhomme looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad.

52.4

.

Floated delivery on middle, Colin defends it out.

52.3

.

Flighted delivery on middle, de Grandhomme keeps it out.

52.2

1

Short delivery on off, Watling cuts it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

52.1

1

Short delivery on middle, de Grandhomme pulls it over square leg. It goes to the fielder on one bounce. The batsmen cross ends.

Travis Head is back on. 3-1-7-0 are his figures so far.

51.6

.

The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

51.5

2

EDGED, DROPPED! A tough chance. Full and outside off, Watling looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies towards Steven Smith at first slip but he is wrong-footed. Goes to his right and the ball is to his left. He is not able to react and the strawberry hits his left palm and goes down. Two runs taken.

51.4

2

Tossed up delivery on off, Watling looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man. Neser in the deep collects the ball and fires a throw at the keeper's end where Tim Paine whips the bails off. But Watling was well inside the crease. The batsmen get two runs.

51.3

.

Outside off, Watling leaves it alone.

51.2

.

Flighted delivery on off, BJ punches it to point.

51.1

.

Lyon bowls it down the leg side, Watling lets it go.

50.6

.

Full delivery on off, de Grandhomme drives it to mid off.

50.5

.

Outside off, Colin leaves it alone.

50.4

2

Flighted delivery on middle, de Grandhomme flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

50.3

.

Floated delivery outside off, Colin lets it go.

50.2

.

Outside off, de Grandhomme offers no shot to this one.

50.1

.

Full delivery on off, de Grandhomme drives it to covers.

49.6

.

The batsman works it down the leg side.

49.5

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Colin flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

49.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Colin drives it to mid on.

49.3

.

Floated delivery on middle, de Grandhomme nudges it towards the leg side.

49.2

.

BEATEN! Tossed up delivery outside off, Colin looks to cut but misses it.

49.1

.

Bowls it down the leg side, de Grandhomme looks to flick but misses it.

48.6

.

Again outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one.

48.5

.

Flighted delivery outside off, BJ lets it go.

48.4

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

48.3

.

Outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one.

48.2

.

Floated delivery on middle, Watling defends it out.

48.1

3

Short delivery on off, de Grandhomme cuts it through point. Burns chases it, slides and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

Marnus Labuschagne is back on.

47.6

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Watling blocks it off the front foot.

47.5

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Watling lets it go.

47.4

1

Floated delivery on middle, Colin comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

47.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

47.2

.

NOT OUT! Flighted delivery just outside off, de Grandhomme looks to defend but misses it. The keeper appeals for caught behind but the umpire shakes his head. Tim Paine takes the review. Snicko detects no edge.

An appeal for caught behind! The umpire raises his finger. New Zealand take the review. There is nothing on Snicko.

47.1

.

BEATEN! Short delivery outside off, de Grandhomme looks to cut but misses it.

46.6

1

On a length on middle, Colin plays it towards mid on for a single.

46.5

.

Bowls a bumper, de Grandhomme ducks under it.

46.4

1

Length delivery on off, Watling taps it towards point for a single.

46.3

.

Bowls a bouncer, Watling does well to duck under it.

46.2

.

On a good length on middle, Watling blocks it off the back foot.

46.1

.

Full and outside off, Watling looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to gully.

45.6

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Colin defends it off the back foot.

45.5

4

FOUR! Colin de Grandhomme plays it one-handed. How did he do that? Flighted delivery on middle, de Grandhomme looks to play a slog sweep but his one hand comes off the bat. The ball flies in the air but is well wide of the man at deep mid-wicket. Lands around deep backward square leg and trickles into the fence.

45.4

.

Loopy delivery on middle, de Grandhomme looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad.

45.3

.

Floated delivery on middle, de Grandhomme nudges it towards the leg side.

45.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Colin blocks it well.

45.1

.

Flighted delivery down the leg side, de Grandhomme lets it go. It goes towards Tim Paine safely.

44.6

.

Around middle and off, worked straight to short leg.

44.5

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

44.5

1nb

NO BALL. A bouncer, around middle, Watling ducks.

44.4

.

Full and around middle, pushed down towards mid on.

44.3

.

On a good length outside off, coming in, Watling looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads.

44.2

1

GLOVED, BUT WIDE OF SHORT LEG! A nasty bouncer, around middle, Colin leaps to fend but the ball keeps on rising. Takes the glove and flies in the air, but is well wide of short leg, en route fine leg. A single taken.

44.1

.

Oops! Watch out! Plenty of drama on this ball. A length ball, around middle, de Grandhomme looks to defend but the ball takes the inside edge and hits him on the pads. The ball rolls away and de Grandhomme thinks about the single but is sent back. He lazily stands there and in the meanwhile, Matthew Wade charges in from short leg. Also, Nathan Lyon comes in running from point. Wade tries to kick the ball onto the stumps at the striker's end with his left foot but cannot quite connect cleanly. De Grandhomme would have been out had that hit! But the fun does not end there. Wade and Lyon almost collide into one another, knocking each other down! Both get up with a smile while umpire Aleem Dar at square leg has a chuckle.

43.6

.

Short delivery on off, Watling cuts it to point.

43.5

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Watling keeps it out.

43.4

.

Loopy delivery on off, BJ defends it out.

43.3

.

Floated delivery on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot.

43.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Watling flicks it to mid-wicket.

43.1

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, de Grandhomme drives it uppishly through mid on. The batsmen take a run.

42.6

.

Bowls a bouncer, Watling ducks under it.

42.5

3

Full delivery on off, de Grandhomme drives it through point. The fielder chases it and does well to stop it. The batsmen get three runs. 1000 runs for Colin de Grandhomme in Tests.

42.4

.

Play and a miss! Short of a length delivery outside off, de Grandhomme looks to pull but misses it.

42.3

.

Good length delivery on off, de Grandhomme blocks it off the front foot.

42.2

.

Full delivery on off, Colin drives it towards mid off.

42.1

.

On a good length on middle, de Grandhomme looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad.

41.6

.

Was that a drop? Looking at Matthew Wade's reaction, it seems so. Around middle, Watling looked to flick and hit it very hard. The ball seemed to go flush onto Matthew Wade's right shoulder and deflected away. Smith pats Wade on his head.

41.5

.

Huge appeal for a caught behind! Turned down by Aleem Dar. Tossed up outside off, Watling lunges to defend but misses. Tim Paine fumbles but takes it in the second attempt. There is a noise and up go the Aussies but Dar shakes his head. Paine is not sure whether there was an outside edge and does not take the review. Hot Spot detects a mark when the ball passes the bat! Reviews and Tim...a pain for Australia.

41.4

.

Flighted delivery outside off, Watling looks to defend but misses it.

41.3

4

FOUR! Floated delivery on off, Watling looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary.

41.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Watling flicks it to mid-wicket.

41.1

1

Tossed up delivery on middle, Colin comes down the track and drives it through mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

40.6

2

On a length on middle, Watling flicks it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.

40.5

.

Bowls a bouncer, Watling ducks under it.

40.4

1

Length delivery on middle, de Grandhomme flicks it towards square leg for a single.

40.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, de Grandhomme looks to flick but gets it hit on the thigh pad.

40.2

1

On a length on off, Watling plays it towards covers for a run.

40.1

.

On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the front foot.

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. Wicketless but just 17 runs in 12 overs shows his relentless pressure.

39.6

6

SIX! Amazing shot. Flighted delivery on middle, de Grandhomme comes down the track and lofts it over wide long on for a maximum.

39.5

.

Flighted delivery on off, de Grandhomme defends it to covers off the back foot.

We are back for the final session of Day 4. The Australian players are out in the middle. BJ Watling will be joined by Colin de Grandhomme. Nathan Lyon will continue his over.

... Day 4, Session 3 ...

So! A bizarre way to go into the break. Nicholls might well have been out but was the correct protocol followed there? What was the third umpire checking? Was it a player's review or an umpire's review regarding the legality of the catch? Australia just strengthening their surge towards a 1-0 lead. 5 wickets left and around 35 overs pending. The floodlights will be switched on and Starc will be ready to swing that strawberry. Will we witness a Day 5? Join us back at 6 pm local (1000 GMT).

Tim Paine is giving an interview. He is happy with the way the session ended. Feels sorry for Nicholls that the ball hit the back of his bat. Hopes to take more wickets when the floodlights come on. Admits that it is challenging for both the keeper and the batsmen to face Nathan Lyon on such tracks.

39.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Well, a bit of a bizarre procedure there. Let us describe the events one by one. Tossed up delivery outside off, Nicholls lunges to defend but the ball comes in with the angle, hits the pads and lobs to silly point. Now, Travis Head takes it, celebrates and then appeals. Aleem Dar immediately raises his finger. Seeing that, Travis Head runs around in circles in jubilation while Nicholls asks the umpire the manner of his dismissal. On being informed that he has been given out caught, Nicholls has a long chat with Watling and then signals the 'T'. Now comes the bizarre part. From one side of the replays, it seems that the ball has hit the pad, then hit the back of the bat and dipped to Travis Head who has taken a very good catch, inches above the ground. But the third umpire is only checking the legality of the catch. Does that mean he is satisfied there is an edge? No Hot Spot is checked, nor Snicko. Eventually, the third umpire relays the message to Aleem Dar who signals it OUT once again. So - was this an umpire's review or a player's review? Something to ponder as TEA IS TAKEN.

Caught at silly point! But has Nicholls nicked it? He has taken the review. Replays seem to show that the ball has hit the back of the bat. This is strange. No Hot Spot is shown, or Snicko but the batsman is ruled OUT.

39.3

1

Tossed up delivery on off, Watling drives it towards covers. The batsmen take a run.

39.2

.

Flighted delivery on off, Watling defends it off the front foot.

39.1

.

Outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one.

38.6

.

Floated delivery on middle, Nicholls tucks it towards the leg side.

38.5

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nicholls defends it off the back foot.

38.4

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Nicholls defends it off the front foot.

38.3

2

Gets down and sweeps it through fine leg for a couple. The stand moves to 40 now. Nicholls moves to 21.

38.2

.

Around off, defended solidly.

38.1

2

Floated generously outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.

37.6

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Watling blocks it well.

37.5

.

BEATEN! Flighted delivery just outside off, Watling looks to defend but the ball straightens and then bounces steeply. Good take by Paine.

37.4

.

Loopy delivery on off, Watling defends it off the front foot.

37.3

.

Floated delivery on off, Watling nudges it towards the leg side.

37.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Watling defends it out.

37.1

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Watling defends it to short leg.

Nathan Lyon returns. 11-2-32-2 so far.

36.6

.

Floated delivery on middle, Nicholls flicks it to mid-wicket.

36.5

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nicholls looks to defend but gets an inside edge. It goes on a bounce to short leg.

36.4

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Nicholls plays it to mid on.

36.3

1

Landed outside off, hint of away turn, but a bit too short. Punched through the covers for a single.

36.2

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

36.1

.

Full and outside off, solidly defended in front of silly point.

35.6

.

Loopy delivery on off, Henry plays it towards point.

35.5

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Nicholls plays it to point.

35.4

.

Floated delivery on off, Nicholls defends it off the front foot.

35.3

2

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nicholls comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket. Cummins chases it and does well to stop it. The batsmen pick up a couple.

35.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Nicholls comes down the track and looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

35.1

1

Full and outside off, punched wide of mid off for a single.

34.6

1

Short delivery on off, Watling cuts it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

34.5

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Watling offers a forward defense on this one.

34.4

.

Outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one.

34.3

1

Flighted delivery on off, Nicholls plays it towards point for a single.

34.2

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Nicholls defends it off the back foot.

34.1

1

Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Marnus Labuschagne comes into the attack.

33.6

.

Floated delivery on middle, Nicholls looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

33.5

.

Loopy delivery on middle, Henry defends it off the back foot.

33.4

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Henry blocks it well.

33.3

.

Flighted delivery on off, Nicholls plays it to covers.

33.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nicholls looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

33.1

.

Short delivery on off, Nicholls makes room and slaps it to covers but Marnus Labuschagne dives to his right and makes a stunning stop.

32.6

.

Good length delivery on off, BJ blocks it off the back foot.

32.5

.

On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the front foot.

32.4

.

Length delivery on off, Watling taps it towards gully where Warner makes a fine stop with a dive.

32.3

.

A bouncer on middle, BJ ducks.

32.2

.

Similar line, probably a bit more on off, watchfully defended.

32.1

.

Full and outside off, driven beautifully but straight back to Cummins who deflects it to mid off off his left hand.

31.6

.

Loopy delivery on off, Nicholls looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Tim Paine has a chat with his bowler who straightaway indicates there was an inside edge on that one. Replays confirm.

31.5

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Nicholls keeps it out.

31.4

.

Flighted delivery on off, Nicholls blocks it well.

31.3

1

Floated delivery on middle, Watling nudges it towards square leg for a run.

31.2

3

Short delivery outside off, Nicholls makes room and slaps it through covers. The fielder from long off does well to stop it. The batsmen get three runs.

31.1

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Nicholls defends it out.

So Nathan Lyon is not going to bowl unchanged in this session. Here comes Travis Head to bowl his offies.

30.6

.

Good length delivery on off, Watling offers a solid defense on this one.

30.5

1

Short delivery on leg, Nicholls pulls it towards fine leg for a run.

30.4

.

On a good length on off, Henry defends it off the front foot.

30.3

.

Full and outside off, angling in, Nicholls shoulders arms.

30.2

.

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

30.1

.

Around off, solidly defended.

29.6

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

29.5

.

Outside off, driven straight to mid off.

29.4

.

Full and around middle, Watling lunges and flicks it towards the leg side. Matthew Wade at short leg dives to his left and flicks it immediately at the stumps. Tim Paine misses it but Steven Smith at first slip stops it. Wade apologizes to his skipper.

29.3

.

This time he is on his back foot to defend.

29.2

.

Around off, solidly defended.

29.1

4

FOUR! A rare bad ball. Short and outside off, Watling rocks back and cuts it through the covers.

28.6

.

EDGED, BUT DOES NOT CARRY! Paine smiles. Perfect from Cummins, landing it on a length outside off and drawing Nicholls forward. The outside edge is induced but for some reason it lands in front of Tim Paine.

28.5

2

Too full and a bit too straight. Nicholls flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a couple. Moves to 10 and the stand is worth 20 from 33 balls.

28.4

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

28.3

.

Around off, pushed towards cover.

28.2

.

Landed outside off, watchfully defended towards cover.

28.1

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

27.6

1

Gets it past Wade this time for a run.

27.5

.

That is a very good stop. Around off, Nicholls tucks it through the leg side but Matthew Wade at short leg does well to stop it.

27.4

.

Landed outside off, punched towards cover.

27.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

27.2

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

27.1

.

A short ball outside off, Nicholls looks to pull but misses. Paine fumbles behind.

26.6

.

Landed outside off, dabbed towards gully.

26.5

.

Similar line and length, this time BJW is perfect in his forward defense.

26.4

.

Very good bowling. Cummins understands that Watling would be expecting a short ball, so bowls it fuller. BJ is late in bringing his bat down to defend and is beaten, with the ball moving away late to beat the outside edge, almost like a leg spinner.

The physio is out in the middle. Watling looks okay and just changes his helmet. The normal procedure going through. This is taking a bit too long. The Kiwis are making sure that the helmet of Latham is well protected, hence that extra padding is going on. Trent Boult is also amongst the ones helping.

26.3

.

ON THE HELMET! First up, Watling is okay and signals a thumbs up. That just kept on rising. On a length outside off, Watling looks to defend but the ball suddenly kicks up, goes past his gloves and hits him on the grille of his helmet. He walks away immediately and when Cummins asks about his health, he indicates he is fine.

26.2

4

FOUR! Landed outside off, Watling looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge, along the ground, past second slip towards third man.

26.1

.

Outside off, on a length, left alone.

Pat Cummins returns. Runs have come at a premium off his bowling. 8-4-10-0 so far.

25.6

.

Full and around off, Nicholls lunges and blocks it down the track.

25.5

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

25.4

.

Landed outside off, the arm ball, left alone.

25.3

4

FOUR! A rare boundary. You need to punish the bad balls. Short and outside off, Nicholls rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket.

25.2

.

Outside off, played towards point.

25.1

.

Around off, blocked from the crease.

DRINKS BREAK. A good end to that hour for Australia. Starc got Taylor and then Lyon got Latham. Two big guns. The Test is rapidly progressing and another wicket could lead to a procession.

24.6

.

On a good length on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot.

24.5

.

Outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one.

24.4

2

Full delivery on off, Watling drives it through covers. The batsmen get two runs.

24.3

.

Bowls a bouncer outside off, Watling sways away from it.

24.2

4

FOUR! What a shot! Full delivery on leg, Watling flicks it through square leg for a boundary.

24.1

3

Length delivery on middle, Nicholls flicks it through square leg. Lyon runs and does well to stop it. The batsmen get three runs.

23.6

.

Outside off, BJ hangs back to defend.

23.5

.

Down the leg side, helped towards square leg.

23.4

.

Full and outside off, Watling dead-bats it.

BJ Watling walks in next, at number 6, replacing Latham. Another man who can bat for hours.

23.3

W

OUT! LBW! That is plumb and Aleem Dar has to overturn the decision! Lyon has his second. The arm ball does the trick. Pitched around off, Latham stays back to defend but misses it as the ball skids off the deck. He is caught in his crease and is hit on the pads. Lyon immediately roars but umpire Dar shakes his head. Tim Paine has a long chat with his bowler and when it seems like both are not convinced whether that would be out, he signals for the review. Ball Tracker shows it to be hitting leg stump and one man who could have stayed for hours at the crease, departs.

Massive shout for LBW! Is Latham plumb in front? Umpire Aleem Dar has not agreed. Paine has a long chat with his bowler and with 8 seconds left on the DRS clock, takes the review. Looks close. Yup. Ball Tracker shows it to be hitting leg!

23.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Latham comes down the track and blocks it.

23.1

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Latham defends it off the front foot.

22.6

.

Outside off, played straight to point.

22.5

.

Around middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

Henry Nicholls walks in at number 5, replacing Taylor.

22.4

W

OUT! Caught behind! There goes Rosco. Starc has struck. His second wicket. Taylor, looking to play his natural game, has perished. The ball is not much different from the second one in this over. The length is short and Rosco thinks that he can pull across the line. He does so but perhaps this one comes quicker than his anticipation. Takes the under edge and goes behind, with Tim Paine completing the formalities. Another massive blow.

22.3

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor lets it go.

22.2

.

Short of a length delivery on middle, Taylor pulls it towards mid-wicket where the fielder makes a fine stop.

22.1

.

Length delivery on leg, Taylor looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the keeper safely.

21.6

1

Full delivery on middle, Taylor drives it through mid on for a run.

21.5

.

Floated delivery on off, Taylor looks to play a reverse sweep but misses it and gets hit on the boot.

21.4

.

Flighted delivery on off, Taylor defends it off the front foot.

21.3

1

Tossed up delivery on off, Latham plays that very late and guides it towards short third man. The batsmen take a run.

21.2

.

That is fired down the leg side. 92.5 kph, Latham looks to sweep but misses it. Tim Paine behind just about manages to get his glove to stop that. Immediately wrings his hands in pain. That would have hurt.

21.1

.

Short delivery on middle, Latham looks to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

20.6

1

On a good length on middle, Latham looks to flick but gets it off the inner half of the bat. It goes towards fine leg for a single.

20.5

2

On a length on middle, Latham flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs.

20.4

3

Full delivery outside off, Taylor drives it through covers. The fielder chases it and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs. Good running between the wickets. 50 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

20.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Ross defends it off the back foot.

20.2

.

Rash shot. On a good length on off, Taylor looks to drive, without moving his feet and gets a bottom edge, which goes on the bounce to the bowler.

20.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Taylor defends it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Starc is back on. 6-2-17-1 so far.

19.6

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Latham keeps it out.

19.5

.

Short delivery outside off, Latham cuts it to point.

19.4

.

Loopy delivery on middle, Tom looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

19.3

.

Oohhh... a bit too early. Floated delivery on middle, Latham comes down the track and looks to flick but is beaten in flight. Luckily for him, the ball hits his pads. Lyon spotted pretty early that Latham was off his blocks. Hence, fired it in.

19.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Latham blocks it off the front foot.

19.1

.

The arm ball outside off, left alone.

18.6

.

Good length delivery on off, Ross defends it off the front foot.

18.5

.

BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery! On a good length and outside off, Rosco looks to defend but the ball pitches and then seams away, to beat the outside edge.

18.5

1wd

WIDE! A wild bouncer, around middle and leg, comfortably ducked under. It is not even a proper duck. The bouncer was so high.

18.4

.

Short of a length delivery outside off, Taylor looks to pull but misses it.

18.3

2

Length delivery on middle, Ross flicks it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.

18.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Taylor plays it to covers.

18.1

.

On a good length on middle, Taylor defends it off the front foot.

17.6

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Latham defends it off the back foot.

17.5

.

Loopy delivery on off, Latham keeps it out.

17.4

1

Floated delivery on off, Taylor sweeps it through mid-wicket for a run.

Square leg is now being shifted. He gets squarer. Long on moves right slightly.

17.3

4

FOUR! AUDACIOUS! Taylor is ready for the challenge. Flighted outside off, Rosco gets down and mows the slog sweep. There is a deep square leg in place but this is played in front of him, towards mid-wicket.

17.2

.

Full and outside off, Rosco looks to defend but gets a bottom edge, on the bounce over the keeper to first slip.

17.1

.

Full and around off, worked in front of short leg.

16.6

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Latham looks to defend but misses it.

16.5

.

Another LBW appeal but turned down. On a good length on leg, Latham looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

16.4

.

Bowls a bumper, Latham ducks under it.

16.3

.

Outside off, TL leaves it alone.

16.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Tom defends it off the back foot.

16.1

.

On a good length on middle, Latham nudges it towards the leg side.

15.6

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Tossed up delivery on middle, Taylor plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary.

15.5

1

Floated delivery on middle, Latham flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

15.4

.

Loopy delivery on off, Tom blocks it well.

15.3

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Ross flicks it towards square leg for a single.

15.2

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Rosco defends it back towards the bowler.

15.1

.

Floated delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it to short fine leg.

14.6

.

Bowls a bouncer on leg, TL does well to duck under it.

14.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Tom blocks it off the front foot.

14.4

.

On a good length on off, Latham defends it off the back foot.

14.3

1

Short delivery on leg, Taylor looks to pull but gets it off the glove. It goes towards fine leg for a run. That hurried onto Taylor.

14.2

.

Outside off, Rosco offers no shot to this one.

14.1

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Taylor looks to defend but misses it.

13.6

2

Short delivery on off, Latham makes room and cuts it through point. The batsmen get two runs.

13.5

.

Flighted delivery on middle, well kept out again.

13.4

.

Short delivery on off, Latham cuts it to point.

13.3

.

Floated delivery on middle, TL defends it off the back foot.

13.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Tom defends it out.

13.1

.

Flighted delivery outside off, Latham offers no shot to this one.

Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. Will he bowl unchanged through this session? 2-0-8-1 so far.

12.6

.

On a length outside off, Rosco looks to defend but misses.

12.5

.

Outside off, on a length, Taylor looks to defend but then aims to take his bat away. Is late and the ball goes off the bottom edge, on the bounce, to gully.

12.4

1

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. One run added to the total.

12.3

.

Huge appeal for LBW now! Turned down again! Will the Australians review? Cummins looks interested. Tim Paine walks towards Nathan Lyon at point to talk about the height and then does not take the review. A length ball outside off, hits a crack and stays a touch low. Latham is hit on his back foot and seems to fall over a touch. It looks close to the naked eye but Ball Tracker shows it to be going over the top. Superb decision from Nigel Llong and excellent call from Nathan Lyon at point to tell Paine not to review. He would have been at the best angle to see where the ball would have hit.

12.2

.

Huge appeal for a caught behind! Turned down by umpire Llong. No warm-ups for Cummins. No looseners. He comes running in and lands it on a length outside off, making it to jag back in. Tom looks to defend but misses. The ball goes off something to the keeper and the slip cordon explodes. Llong is unmoved. Replays show that the ball hit the back thigh. Superb decision.

12.1

.

Full and around off, bounces sharply but Latham is solid in defense.

Out come the players onto the field. Pat Cummins it will be to start off proceedings after the break. 4 overs in his pre-Lunch spell. How many will he bowl in this one? Tom Latham to face. Here we go...

Welcome back for the second session. Normally, with the pitch opening up as it already has, one would assume this to be the final session of the match. But because this is a Day-Night game, ironically, this is the best time to bat. Can the Kiwis get a partnership and keep the Aussies at bay? Their first aim should be to tire out Starc and Cummins, so that Paine is forced to resort to Wade and Labuschagne.

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Now, 8 wickets to take for the Aussies. Can they finish it off on the fourth day itself? Or have the Kiwis got them in to battle out the heat and the pitch to take the game on the fifth day? We will find that out soon. Join us for the second session after the break.

He tells that he was happy to see Lyon get a wicket and would've loved to see him get a hat-trick. Tells that Taylor was brilliant in the first innings but Lyon is bowling well. Hopes that he along with Starc look to assist the spinner.

As far as the Aussies are concerned, Starc and Cummins were superb with the ball early on. Starc was rewarded with a wicket while Lyon with the help of the pitch removed the mighty wicket of Williamson. While they are a bowler short, the variable bounce on the pitch are surely there to assist them. Playing against Lyon on this track is going to be tricky. Interesting to see if the Kiwis battle it out and take the game on the fifth day. Before that, Cummins is caught for the chat.

New Zealand has 1 hour to survive before the Lunch break. They have lost two already which includes the massive wicket of Kiwi skipper Williamson. Latham is looking solid and he has Taylor for company. These two are going to be the key for New Zealand. Taylor scored a solid 80 in the first innings and he might have to double that total if the Kiwis are to force or draw or maybe attempt to win the game.

11.6

.

Landed outside off, Taylor shoulders arms and is hit on the thighs. Paine puts in a mild shout for LBW but is not entertained. LUNCH ON DAY 4!

11.5

1

Full and on middle, Latham pushes this wide of substitute Michael Neser at mid on and pinches a quick run.

11.4

2

Short and outside off, cut behind point for a couple.

11.3

1

Tossed up outside off, RT drives it to the left of mid off and takes a single.

11.2

.

Oohh... full and outside off, Rosco looks to drive but the ball spins in and takes the inside edge onto the pads. Lobs up but is nowhere near first slip.

11.1

.

Around off, fuller in length, Taylor stays back and defends.

10.6

.

Down the leg side, left alone.

10.5

1lb

In the air... safe! Landed around leg, Taylor looks to flick but the ball goes uppishly, wide of Marnus Labuschagne at leg gully. A single to fine leg. Wait a second. Leg bye signalled.

10.4

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

10.3

.

On a length, around off, Rosco looks to defend and then aims to take his bat away. Is late and gets beaten.

10.2

1

A length ball, around middle, Latham looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards cover. A single taken.

10.1

.

Down the leg side, left alone.

9.6

.

Full and around off, watchfully played out.

9.5

.

Around off, blocked from the crease.

9.4

4

FOUR! Edged away! Full and wide outside off, Taylor reaches out to drive but gets a thick outside edge which flies behind backward point. Off the mark in streaky fashion.

9.3

.

Full and outside off, watchfully played out again.

9.2

.

No hat-trick. Full and outside off, Taylor lunges and defends.

Ross Taylor comes in at number 4. Can he ensure that at least 8 wickets are in the bank going into Lunch? Also, LYON IS ON A HAT-TRICK. He dismissed Southee on the final ball of the first innings and now Williamson, with his very first ball in this innings. Here we go...

9.1

W

OUT! Turn and bounce, caught at short leg! That is a huge, huge wicket with 10 minutes to go to Lunch. Kane Williamson is gone. Nothing much he could have done there. The pitch has consumed him. Accurate Lyon lands this right on the rough outside off, around a shorter length. Williamson stays back to tuck but the ball lands on that black mark, generates dust and kicks off suddenly. Zooms in, takes the inside edge, hits the thigh and lobs to Matthew Wade at short leg. The Aussies celebrate and even before the appeal can be completed, Aleem Dar's finger is up. They check for the overstepping but Lyon is fine. Williamson walks back disappointed but to be fair, there was nothing much he could have done to that ball.

Well, Gaza is here. Or Gary. Official name - Nathan Lyon.

8.6

.

Full and straight, pushed down the ground. Substitute Michael Neser gets across from short mid-wicket and stops the ball.

Nathan Lyon is warming up...

8.5

.

Landed outside off, slightly wider, let through once more.

8.4

.

Full and straight, watchfully defended in front of mid on.

8.3

.

Outside off, left alone again.

8.2

.

Around off, Tom looks to defend but takes his bat inside the line.

8.1

.

Gone? Caught behind? Tim Paine starts to celebrate and then appeals but umpire Nigel Llong is unmoved. No review taken. Landed around off, Latham looks to defend but the ball moves away slightly and goes behind. Hard to pick any noise on first look or hear. Snickometer detects nothing when the ball goes past the bat.

7.6

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

7.5

4

FOUR! ELEGANT! Williamson is off to a flier! His third boundary in just 6 balls faced. Full and outside off, Williamson leans and drives it through the covers. Interestingly, replays show that Williamson turned his bat in his hands before facing the ball.

7.4

.

Full and straight, swinging away, defended back to the bowler.

7.3

1

Around middle, tucked through short leg for a single.

7.2

.

Full and outside off, watchfully patted down the track.

7.1

.

Full and outside off, left alone.

6.6

.

Fuller length on off, Williamson defends it out. End of a successful over from Starc.

6.5

2

Around off on a length, Williamson tucks it through gully to pick a couple.

6.4

4

FOUR! On the pads again from Starc. Williamson flicks it nicely through square leg to get another boundary. Starc is attempting an inswinging yorker but misses out.

6.3

4

FOUR! Easily put away! Starc looks to welcome the Kiwi skipper with a yorker but ends up dishing a full toss on the pads. Williamson flicks it to the deep square leg fence to get off the mark.

Skipper Kane Williamson walks in next. Around 25 minutes left, can the Aussies get rid of the big wicket?

6.2

W

OUT! Caught at point! Starc strikes and the poor run for Raval in Tests continues. Australia draw first blood. This is just behind the good length area but on off. Raval comes forward and looks to defend. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Lyon at point. He is not going to drop these. Raval shakes his head as he walks off.

6.1

.

Shortish length ball outside off, Raval lets it be.

5.6

.

Full and on the pads, Latham clips it towards the leg side nicely but Head makes another excellent stop at short leg.

5.5

.

Fullish this time and on off stump line, Latham is once again solid in the defense as he pushes it towards mid off.

5.4

.

No, not really as he goes short around off, Latham blocks it off the back foot.

5.3

.

Wow! That kept low. We might get one sneak through. A good length ball on off, keeps very low. Latham does well to dig it out. Cummins smiles as looks at the spot where the ball pitched. Aiming to pitch there again?

5.2

.

Around off, Latham is solid in his defense once again.

5.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

4.6

.

Another back of a length ball outside off, Raval lets it be. A few words from Starc to Raval there.

4.5

.

Shortish and closer to off, Raval covers his stumps, drops his wrists and lets it be.

4.4

.

Good length ball around off, Raval at the last moment taps it towards fourth slip.

4.3

.

Good length ball around off, Raval taps it towards cover.

4.2

.

Shortish length ball outside off. Raval is not bothered as he shoulders arms.

4.1

1

Back of a length ball on middle, Latham tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

3.6

.

Full and on off, Raval defends it out solidly.

3.5

.

Fullish but wide outside off, Raval makes another leave.

3.4

.

Goes back to bowling in the corridor outside off. Raval lets it be.

3.3

.

This time Cummins lands it on off, Raval looks to defend but gets an outside edge.

3.2

.

Full and around off, Raval drives it well but cannot beat Wade at short extra cover.

3.1

.

Good length ball outside off, Raval has his stumps covered as he shoulders arms.

2.6

.

Bouncer on middle this time. Latham ducks under it to see off the over.

2.5

.

Landed on middle, Latham goes back and defends it out.

2.4

.

On middle, Latham pushes it towards mid on.

Interesting. Adam Gilchrist on air says that there is some rain predicted for Monday. Temperatures are forecast to be 35 degrees Celsius. Mark Waugh jokes that better get some jackets while coming then.

2.3

.

Fuller and on off, Latham defends it towards mid off.

2.2

.

In the channel outside off, Latham covers his stumps and lets it be. Carries to Paine at a perfect height behind the wicket.

2.1

.

Brilliant work from Head at short leg. A good length ball on the pads, Latham looks to tuck it towards square leg but Head moves to his left and stops it nicely.

1.6

.

That hit the crack and kept low! It is a fullish ball, the ones which are driveable. Raval is caught in two minds. As he first looks to drive but at the last moment draws his bat back.

1.5

.

Shortish length ball just outside off, Raval sways away form it.

1.4

.

Good length ball outside off, Raval makes a leave.

1.3

.

On middle, angled in. Raval defends it out.

1.2

.

Outside off, left alone.

1.1

.

Huge appeal for caught behind but looks like it came off the pads. Cummins is right on the money first ball. Lands it on middle and leg, Raval looks to tuck it around but gets hit on the flap of his pad. The ball goes the slip cordon. Warner from gully comes ahead and takes the catch. The Aussies appeal but nothing from the umpire. The replays confirm no bat.

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. Just a wicket for him in the first innings. Can he get one in this session?

0.6

.

Shortish length ball just outside off, Latham rides the bounce and taps it towards the off side.

0.5

4

FOUR! Punched nicely! Fuller ball on middle and leg, Latham closes his bat face and punches it past diving sub fielder Neser at short mid-wicket. It races towards the long on fence. Neser gives it a chase but the ball wins the race. First boundary of the innings.

0.4

.

In the channel outside off again. Latham shoulders arms.

0.3

.

Fullish length ball just outside off, left alone.

0.2

1

Raval and New Zealand are underway! Starc bowls on the pads of the left-hander. Raval tucks it towards square leg and takes a singe.

0.1

.

Starc starts with a good length ball outside off, making it shape away just a hint. Raval lets it be.

The Aussies are already out in the middle. Pat Cummins is warming up, bowling through his run up. Jeet Raval and Tom Latham punch their gloves outside the boundary. Got a massive job ahead. Wait a minute. The Aussies are back in. Tim Paine gathers his troops and gives them some last-minute instructions. Now, both sets of players head out to the middle, following the umpires. Mitchell Starc to start off proceedings. Jeet Raval to face. Tom Latham being his partner. Here we go...

Australia would be happy with their second dig. Got Joe Burns back into form who played really well on a testing track. Around an hour left for Lunch. How many wickets will fall in this passage? Can the Kiwis have their openers intact into the break?

A 5-fer for Southee, on a wicket which has now started to do plenty of things. Yes, Australia are one bowler short, but this track is becoming deadly difficult to bat on. Expect the Aussies to return the short stuff favour to the Kiwis and someone needs to stand up. Technically, chasing down 468 in a scheduled allotted 165 overs is possible. But practically, on this track, batting for two whole days, to, forget a win, forge a draw either, is going to be challenging.

73 legal balls is all that New Zealand had to field today. This was coming, given that Australia had only one proper batsman in the middle in Matthew Wade. Yes, Pat Cummins can hang around but the short stuff from Wagner hurt the Aussies in their minds. They were caught in no man's land, unable to score and unable to defend and eventually lost their wickets.

Looks like Tim Paine is calling his men back. Because Nathan Lyon is rushing off the field, along with Mitchell Starc. Yup. Confirmed. Josh Hazlewood is not going to have to face the short-ball music as AUSTRALIA HAVE DECLARED, SETTING A TARGET OF 468.

69.1

W

OUT! Caught at fly slip! Brilliant captaincy from Williamson to keep a fielder in that position. With Starc going after the balls so hard, edges flying through the slips are always on the cards. Exactly what happened. Fullish length ball outside off, Starc looks to power it over long off but gets a thick outside edge which goes straight to Taylor at fly slip who makes no mistake. Fifer for Southee. It's been a hard toil for the pacers and the Kiwi bowler kept coming hard and has got a fifer to his name.

68.6

.

In the channel outside off, Lyon pokes but gets beaten.

68.5

1

Another bumper on middle, Starc pulls but has his eyes off the ball. Somehow manages to pull it towards square leg for a single.

68.5

1wd

WIDE! Another bumper but line is wrong. Starc ducks under it. Watling collects it on the bounce. Called wide as it is way down the leg side.

68.4

.

Slower yorker this time. Starc keeps it out nicely.

68.3

4

FOUR! Top edge but Starc won't care. Another bouncer on middle, Starc looks to pull it away but gets a top edge which flies over the keeper and to the fence.

68.2

.

Another short ball down the leg side. Starc ducks under it.

68.1

.

Back of a length ball down the leg side. Starc lets it be.

67.6

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

67.5

.

A bouncer down the leg side, ducked under.

67.4

.

A down the leg side short leg side, tucked towards short leg.

67.3

1

Outside off, Mitchell punches it towards cover where the fielder misfields due to extra bounce. A single taken off the deflection.

67.2

.

Outside off, a slash and a miss.

67.1

.

A short ball, outside off, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.

66.6

4lb

FOUR LEG BYES! Bizarre decision from umpire Nigel Llong. A few overs ago, he signalled a dead ball when Wade did not offer a shot. A similar case for Nathan Lyon, but this time, he has awarded runs to Australia. A short ball, down the leg side, Lyon looks to tuck but then shoulders arms. The ball hits his pads and trickles to the fine leg fence. The lead is now 460.

66.5

.

A short ball now, around leg, Nathan fens it down in front of short leg.

66.4

.

A length ball, around middle, defended towards silly point.

66.3

1

Around middle and leg, tucked wide of short leg, towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

A man goes out to deep mid-wicket.

66.2

4

FOUR! ADMONISHED! A short ball, around middle, Starc pulls it through mid-wicket. Consecutive boundaries. The tail-enders would be looking to have some fun.

66.1

4

FOUR! Heaved away! A length ball, around middle, Starc heaves it wide of short mid-wicket. There is no one down the ground. A boundary. 200 UP FOR AUSTRALIA, LEAD CROSSES 450.

65.6

.

Full and around off, well blocked out.

65.5

.

Around off, pushed towards cover.

65.4

.

Down the leg side, Lyon misses his tuck and is hit on the box. Ouch.

65.3

1

Full and outside off, flayed through the covers for a single.

65.2

4

FOUR! A length ball outside off, Starc just heaves it over mid off and clears the man. A bounce and into the fence.

65.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

64.6

3

A short ball outside off, pulled wide of mid on for three runs. The lead is now 442.

Interesting. Josh Hazlewood is padded up. Is he REALLY needed today? Okay... the lead is just 442. And if New Zealand bat for two whole days on a track which is ready to explode, yeah makes sense to ensure that you bat for two sessions at least today, with tail-enders in the middle. Bizarre from Australia. Also, JOSH HAZLEWOOD HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE BOXING DAY TEST. Here comes Tim Southee. 19-6-63-4 so far.

64.5

.

Comes over the wickets, bowls it short, Mitchell looks to tuck it away and almost hits it into the hands of short leg. Just short and wide.

64.4

.

Another one down the leg side, shorter as well, left alone.

64.3

.

Around off, defended solidly.

64.2

.

Down the leg side, left alone.

64.1

.

Full ball, for a change from Wagner, outside leg, Starc misses his flick and is hit on the pads.

63.6

.

Full and around middle, pushed down the ground.

Nathan Lyon walks out now. Could be the last man in.

63.5

W

OUT! Caught! Wade is out of here. And, he is very, very distraught. A short ball, outside off, Matthew looks ready to punish it and pulls it really, really hard. But to his horror, he picks out Jeet Raval to perfection at deep mid-wicket! Surely, he did not want to get out this way? He takes some time and then trudges off.

63.5

5nb

FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Wade reaches out and slashes hard. Gets a thick outside edge which flies over point to the fence. NO BALL signalled.

63.4

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

63.3

.

Outside off, left alone.

63.2

4

FOUR! WHOOSH! Wade is looking forward to take on de Grandhomme. Full and wide outside off, Matthew reaches out and blasts it wide of mid off to the boundary at cover!

63.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Starc comes in to face the short ball music.

62.6

W

OUT! Caught down the leg side! Wagner gets the first wicket of the afternoon. In a way, it is good for Australia that Cummins is gone. They would not want their premier bowler to get injured to this short stuff. A length ball, outside leg, Pat looks to tickle but only manages a thin inside. Watling catches and appeals but PC is going nowhere. Now, he looks at the umpire who raises his finger and Cummins is happy to go. Wagner two away from a 5-fer in this innings.

62.5

.

A short ball to the all-rounder. Around leg, rising sharply, but Cummins does well to fend it down, well in front of short leg.

62.4

1

Well bowled, well played! Wagner tests Wade's concentration with a full ball but the batsman is aware and ready. Flicks it towards fine leg for the first runs off Wagner this morning. The crowd cheers. So Wagner will now bowl to Cummins for the first time today.

62.3

.

A short ball, around middle and leg, Matthew looks to shoulder arms and is hit right on the bread basket!

62.2

.

Full and around middle, watchfully defended.

62.1

.

Expectantly, a short ball, down the leg side, Wade offers no short and is hit on the left arm.

61.6

.

A bouncer to end the over, outside off, Pat sways away. So we are back to the Wagner-Wade duel.

61.5

.

Outside off, pushed straight to cover.

61.4

.

Full and straight, around off, pushed down the track.

Point goes back now.

61.3

4

FOUR! WHAM! The first real bad ball of the day. A short one, wide outside off, Cummins is up in a flash on seeing that and punches it through the covers. It is in the gap and races to the fence. Cummins moves to 13 now.

61.2

4

FOUR! A bit too straight. Angling onto the pads, Cummins is alert and tickles it to the fine leg fence.

61.1

.

Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

60.6

.

A bouncer to finish, around leg, Wade ducks again.

60.5

.

Full toss now, MW misses out, flicking it straight to short mid-wicket.

60.4

.

Down the leg side, Matthew lets it go again. That was not far from the elbow.

60.3

.

FOUR LEG BYES but dead ball signalled. A bouncer, down the leg side, Wade does not offer any shot. The ball hits his right arm and goes to the fine leg fence. The batsmen start to run but umpire Nigel Llong signals a dead ball, as the batsmen did not offer any shot.

60.2

.

Another bouncer, ducked again. How long will this duel go on? How long will Wagner keep on bowling bouncers? Till eternity. How long will Wade keep on leaving them alone? Patience-tester.

60.1

.

A bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under.

59.6

.

One more leave outside off. De Grandhomme, as usual, testing the patience of the batsman.

59.5

.

Outside off, quietly left alone.

59.4

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

59.3

.

A length ball around off, Pat looks to defend but the ball bounces a shade extra, takes the outside edge and lands in front of wide first slip. Actually, it is almost a second slip.

59.2

2

Around middle worked wide of mid on for a couple. The lead is now 421. The stand moves to 11.

59.1

.

A length ball, around off, coming in, Cummins looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is a mild LBW shout but that looked too high.

58.6

.

Down the leg side again, left alone.

58.5

.

OUCH AGAIN! Wagner is softening Wade up. He is giving that nasty smile but Wade is smiling even nastier! Is he thinking, 'Wait till you face Starc or Cummins, mate'? A short ball, outside leg, Matthew does not know how to play that, so just offers no shot. The ball hits him on the arm guard but he shows no pain.

58.4

.

OUCH! That has hurt. Wade is wincing in pain. A short ball, around leg stump, Matthew looks to tuck it to the leg side but the ball bounces sharply and pings him on the gloves of the bottom hand. Did that hit a crack? MW immediately takes his gloves off, walks away a touch but then makes himself ready to face. Tough man.

58.3

.

Full and around middle and leg, tucked towards short leg.

58.2

.

Another bouncer, around middle and off, Matthew ducks again.

58.1

.

A bouncer, on middle, Wade ducks.

Neil Wagner to bowl from the other end. 17-2-40-2 so far.

57.6

2

First runs of the day. Full and down the leg side, Cummins tickles it towards fine leg for a couple.

57.5

.

Full and down the leg side, PC looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the leg side.

57.4

.

Another bouncer, around middle, Pat ducks.

57.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

57.2

.

Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

57.1

.

A bouncer to start the day, Cummins ducks.

The umpires and the Kiwis are out in the middle but the batsmen aren't. Because Pat Cummins is at the boundary ropes but where is Matthew Wade? Somewhere in the dressing room. Now, he walks down the stairs. Now, the crowd cheers. Colin de Grandhomme to start off proceedings on Sunday, to Pat Cummins. Here we go...

Runs are not an issue. 350 would have been enough as a target on this deck and the Aussies have crossed 400. Given that the wickets generally tend to fall in the final session, the tactics from the hosts would be to try and bat as long as possible. The cracks on the pitch have started to widen, so batting certainly won't be easy. Can New Zealand bowl the Aussies out quickly and get a good part of the day to themselves to bat?

11 wickets fell on Day 3. But crucially, 5 of those came in 1 session. To add to that, those 5 came in the span of 67 balls. That is a shade over 11 overs. Really, as Brendon Julian remarked last evening on air, it is difficult to spot the pink ball under floodlights, but more so once it is past 7.30 pm local. New Zealand found it very difficult on Friday, Australia found it even more on Saturday. That last session yesterday has just quickened this game, which might enable us to have an off on Monday. Hello and a warm, sorry, HOT welcome to the fourth day's play of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.

... DAY 4, FINAL DAY? ...

That's all from a lively Day 3. It was a tough day for the visitors but they will be happy with how they bowled in the latter stages of the day. It still looks difficult for the Kiwis to make a comeback with the lead already above 400 for Australia. Can they perform a complete turnaround or will the Aussies continue destroying opponents at home? Join us on Sunday at 1300 Local (0500 GMT) for the penultimate day of this Test match. Till then, cheers take care!

Australia had a good outing with the bat until the last session. Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne both scored half tons propelling the Aussies to a lead of 381. However, after that things went haywire for the hosts as their downward spiral started in the last session of the day. They collapsed from 131/1 to 160/6, all within the last hour giving the Kiwis a glimmer of hope when it seemed like they were down and out. However, the Aussies stay still on top with a lead of 417 runs and 4 wickets in hand. If the hosts manage to set a target of around 500, they will be more than happy.

The day started in a very good way for Australia as they dismissed New Zealand for a meagre 166 runs. Starc was the star for them as he took a 5-fer and pretty much dismantled the Kiwi batting order. The only players who could come out with some credit for the visitors were Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson who scored 80 and 34 runs respectively. Except for Colin de Grandhomme and these two, no one could even get to the double-digit mark, a rare sight for the Kiwis.

Tim Southee says that when the lights came on, something happened off the pitch and it becomes a lot more interesting. On being asked about how the absence of one of their bowlers (Lockie Ferguson) has affected them, Southee says that they are a team of scrappers and they all fight for each other. Adds that it is hot out there but they know that they have to do the job ahead of them.

30 overs, 92 runs, 5 wickets. That certainly gives you the entire picture of the last session. The Kiwis have made a superb comeback very late on Day 3 and are now walking off the pitch after a tiring day of cricket. The Australians will be disappointed after having bossed the proceedings so far in the Test match. With the players going off, Southee has stopped for an interview. Let's see what he has to say!

56.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Wade defends it back to the bowler. STUMPS ON DAY 3.

56.5

.

Just short! Wade is lucky here! Good length ball on middle and leg, Matthew looks to flick it but it goes off the inside edge onto the pads and lobs towards Latham at short leg. Tom dives to catch it but it falls short.

56.4

1

Back of a length ball on middle, Cummins flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

56.3

.

BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Cummins looks to drive it but fails to get any bat on it.

56.2

1lb

Bowls a bouncer on leg, Wade looks to duck but gets hit on the shoulder. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

56.1

4

FOUR! Full toss on leg, Wade flicks it through square leg for a boundary.

55.6

.

On a good length on off, Cummins blocks it off the front foot.

55.5

.

On a length on middle, Cummins flicks it to mid-wicket.

55.5

1wd

WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Cummins easily ducks under it.

55.4

.

Bowls a yorker on middle, Cummins does well to dig it out.

55.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Cummins defends it off the back foot.

55.2

.

On a good length on middle, Cummins defends it off the front foot.

55.1

.

Short delivery on leg, Cummins flicks it just past short leg.

54.6

.

Bowls a bumper again, Wade ducks under it.

54.5

.

Bowls a bouncer outside off, Wade sways away from it.

54.4

.

Bowls a bouncer, Wade lets it sail through to the keeper.

54.3

.

On a good length on middle, Wade blocks it off the front foot.

54.2

.

Full delivery on off, Wade drives it to covers again.

54.1

.

Full toss on off, Wade plays it to covers.

53.6

.

Back of a length ball on the pads, Cummins tucks it to mid-wicket.

53.5

.

Fullish ball down the leg side again, Pat looks to flick it but fails to put any bat on it.

53.4

.

Short ball around middle, Cummins is ready for it and ducks under it.

53.3

.

Good length ball down the leg side, Cummins looks to flick but misses it.

Pat Cummins is the new batsman in.

53.2

W

OUT! TIMBER! Australia are collapsing under the lights at Perth. Are New Zealand in with a chance? Good length ball tailing back in, Paine looks to flick it but the ball sneaks between the bat and pad, going onto hit the middle stump. The Australian skipper looks surprised and is having a look at the pitch before making his way back to the pavilion. The Kiwis bowling with a spring in their steps now. Can they take another wicket before Stumps?

53.1

.

BOUNCER! It is bowled around leg stump, Paine ducks under it.

52.6

.

Another bouncer, Wade is not able to get his bat at it and is hit on the body.

52.5

.

Bouncer again, Wade evades it.

52.4

.

Wagner follows up the misdirected knuckle ball beautifully by bowling a perfect yorker on the off pole. Wade does well to dig it out.

52.3

.

Knuckle ball by Wagner, it is a full toss on the pads. Wade flicks this one towards mid-wicket.

52.2

.

Bouncer on middle and off, Wade looks to defend by getting on top of it but the ball hits the gloves. Wagner stares at Wade in his followthrough and Wade gives a look back. Finally signs of some fire in the contest.

52.1

.

Length ball down the leg side, worked towards the leg side.

Tim Paine, the skipper, walks out to bat next.

51.6

W

OUT! TAKEN! Southee gets another wicket and this time it is Travis Head. Wickets falling like nine-pins for Australia right now. Southee bowls a short ball down the leg side, it stays a touch low after pitching. Head looks to help it fine down the leg side but he does so uppishly. Colin de Grandhomme at leg gully takes a simple catch and half the Australian side back in the hut now.

51.6

1wd

WIDE! Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Head sways away from it. The umpire gives it wide for height.

51.5

.

Bowls a bouncer, Head lets it sail through to the keeper.

51.4

.

On a length on middle, Head nudges it towards the leg side.

51.3

4

FOUR! Nicely played! Short delivery on leg angled into the ribs, Travis flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

51.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Head defends it off the back foot.

51.1

.

Short delivery on leg, Head nudges it towards the leg side.

50.6

.

Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under.

50.5

.

This time a back of a length ball on middle and leg. Wade looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball goes to the right of Watling who makes a diving stop.

50.4

.

Appeal but nothing doing! Another bouncer, on middle and off. Wade looks to fend at it but fails to do so and the ball flies towards keeper BJ Watling. He takes the catch and appeals but the umpire is unmoved. No reviews left for New Zealand. Replays roll in and show that it hit the arm guard.

50.3

1

On the pads again, Head flicks it towards the square leg region and takes a single to get off the mark.

50.2

.

Down the leg side, Head looks to flick it fine down the leg side but misses.

Still no signs of declaration as Travis Head walks in to bat. With 30 mins to go for the end of day's play doesn't seem like Paine will declare.

50.1

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Steven Smith now departs and Australia lose 2 wickets in quick succession! Wagner bowls a bouncer this time, on middle and leg. Smith looks to pull this powerfully but does not get the perfect timing on it. The ball goes a bit uppishly to the right of Jeet Raval at square leg who tumbles to that side and takes the catch. Smith looks really disappointed as he goes back to the pavilion. Australia have to be careful here not to lose wickets in a heap.

49.6

.

Outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one.

49.5

.

Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Wade ducks under it.

49.4

4

FOUR! Southee tries the short ball tactic with Wade at the other end. Wade is up for the challenge as he pulls it through square leg. There is no one manning that area as the ball crosses the ropes in a flash.

49.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Wade keeps it out.

49.2

.

On a good length on off, Wade defends it off the back foot.

49.1

1

Short delivery on leg, Smith pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. Australia are effectively 400/3.

48.6

.

On a good length on off, Wade defends it off the back foot.

48.5

.

Bowls a bouncer, Wade easily ducks under it.

48.4

1

Short delivery on middle, Smith pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.

48.3

.

Short again on leg, Smith pulls it to short fine leg.

48.2

.

Short of a length delivery on middle, Smith looks to defend but gets hit on the glove.

48.1

.

Length delivery on off, Smith taps it to point.

47.6

.

Length ball outside off, Wade opts to leave this one.

47.5

.

Bouncer again to Wade, he ducks under it this time.

47.4

.

Wade goes back in his crease and defends this length ball off the back foot.

47.3

.

Bouncer straight up to Wade! He does well to evade it.

Matthew Wade is the next batsman in.

47.2

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Burns is a goner and Australia lose their third wicket. Southee bowls a well-directed bouncer, on middle and off. Burns looks to hop and get over the ball in an attempt to keep it down. He only manages to get his glove on it. The ball flies towards the gully region where Henry Nicholls takes an easy catch. Southee gets his 2nd wicket of the innings and Australia are now 398/3 effectively.

47.1

.

Length delivery down the leg side, Burns looks to flick but misses it.

46.6

.

Short again, this time Smith goes for the pull but misses out to time it well.

46.5

.

Back of a length ball, Smith blocks it towards the leg side.

46.4

.

Outside off, left alone.

46.3

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

46.2

1

Another shortish length ball outside off, Burns cuts it through point for a single.

46.1

.

Back of a length ball around off, Burns pulls it towards mid-wicket.

45.6

.

Length delivery on middle, Steven nudges it towards square leg.

45.5

4

FOUR! That is put away! Short delivery on leg, Smith pulls it through square leg. The fielder tries to stop it but it goes through him into the fence.

45.4

.

Now this one shoots off! Good length delivery on off, Smith looks to defend but the ball rises on him. He somehow manages to keep it down off his gloves.

45.3

.

Huge appeal for LBW but not out says the umpire. No reviews left for the Kiwis. Anyway, that looked to be pitching outside leg. It pitched around leg and kept low. Smith looks to flick but mises to get hit on the pads. Southee and the Kiwis appeal but nothing doing.

45.3

1wd

WIDE! Bowls a bumper again, Smith ducks under it. The umpire gives it wide for height.

45.2

.

Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Smith sways away from it.

45.1

.

On middle, turned towards square leg.

44.6

.

Shortish and outside off, cut towards gully where the fielder does well to move to his right and field.

44.5

1

Full and on off, Smith flicks it towards mid-wicket where Santner misfields and allows a single.

44.4

.

Another short of a length ball but down the leg side. Smith lets it go to the keeper.

44.3

.

Bouncer on middle, Smith ducks under it.

44.2

1

Short of a length ball on middle, pulled behind square for a single.

44.1

.

Good length ball around off, Burns pushes it back to the bowler who gets to his right and fields.

43.6

4

FOUR! Wow! From the middle of the bat. Full and on off, Smith drills it past the bowler and into the fence. Brilliantly timed this one.

43.5

4

FOUR! Driven handsomely! Full and outside off, Smith gets to the pitch and slams it to the left of the short cover fielder. The ball races to the fence in a jiffy. Nowhere near the line of the delivery but superb hand-eye coordination fetches him these runs.

43.4

.

Good length ball around off, tapped towards point.

43.3

.

Another ball outside off, Smith makes another leave.

43.2

.

Outside off, Smith lets it be.

43.1

.

Full and on middle, Smith pushes it towards mid on off the front foot.

Tim Southee is back on. 12-4-39-1 are his figures so far.

42.6

.

Bumper but outside off, Burns lets it be.

42.5

1

On middle, Smith turns it behind square leg for a single to get off the mark.

42.4

.

Down the leg side. Smith comes across the off pole and allows the ball go through to the keeper.

42.3

.

Good length ball around off, Smith defends it out coming forward.

Steven Smith walks into bat. Still no signs of declaration from the Aussies. How long are the Aussies planning to bat? Still a long toil for the Kiwis in the field.

42.2

W

OUT! Caught! Wagner strikes. Gets him second time in a row. He has persisted with the short stuff and finally it pays the dividend for him. Another bouncer on middle, Labuschagne takes the challenge and goes for the pull but he cannot time it to his liking. It lobs towards Santner at mid-wicket who takes it easily. A fine innings from him comes to end.

42.1

.

Bouncer and around off, Marnus blocks it back to the bowler.

Drinks! The lead continues to grow. No signs of declaration from the Aussies as yet. Kiwi bowlers continue to toil hard but without any success. Both Burns and Labuschagne have got to their respective fifties and would look to put the foot on the gear now. Let's see if Paine declares tonight and asks the Kiwis to face a few overs before Stumps. The broadcasters have got the two batters for a chat. Marnus says that the pitch is showing the variations. Burns says that the wicket is tough and jokes that youngsters like Marnus need glucose to keep going.

41.6

1

FIFTY FOR LABUSCHAGNE. His 6th in Tests. What a fabulous year he is having. A full ball outside off, Labuschagne drives it through covers and takes a single.

41.5

.

Shortish and on middle, pushed towards mid on.

41.4

.

NOT OUT! Labuschagne is well in! Floated delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it towards mid-wicket. Marnus wants the run but Burns sends him back. The fielder fires a direct hit at the keeper's end. It is referred upstairs. The replays show that Labuschagne was well inside the crease.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Looks safe. It is safe.

41.3

1

Full delivery on middle, Burns drives it through mid on. The batsmen take a single.

41.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Burns defends it out.

41.1

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Burns drives it to long on for a single.

40.6

.

Just behind good length and outside off, pushed towards gully with an angled bat.

40.5

.

Full and around off and middle this time, Burns pushes it towards the leg side.

40.4

.

Full and on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

40.4

1wd

WIDE! Another one for height. Wagner bends his back and bowls short. This one shoots way over the head of Burns. The umpire stretches arms once again.

40.3

.

Another ball which does not bounce! It pitches on shortish length but does not rise. Burns does well to defend it out.

40.2

.

Short on middle, pulled towards mid-wicket.

40.1

1

Short again, pushed towards mid on for a single.

40.1

1wd

WIDE! Another extra, third wide from Wagner. He goes short again but way over the head of the batter. Called wide.

39.6

1

Fuller and around off, turned towards right of mid-wicket for a single. 3 away from another half ton.

39.5

.

Flatter one around off this one, pushed towards mid on.

39.4

2

Full and on middle, this time Labuschagne sweeps it past the diving short fine leg fielder for a couple of runs.

39.3

.

Another ball on the pads, Labuschagne flicks it but straight to fine leg.

39.2

.

On the pads, worked towards short fine leg.

39.1

.

Santner flights it and bowls it around off, ML pushes it back to Santner.

Mitchell Santner to bowl now.

38.6

.

Wagner looks to bowl another short ball but this one does not rise enough. Burns does well to keep it out.

38.5

.

Fuller and just around off, tapped towards point.

38.4

.

Another back of a length ball outside off, Burns lets it be again.

38.3

.

Another bouncer! Burns ducks under it.

38.2

.

Short and outside off, Burns looks to pull but gets a bottom edge which goes to the left of the keeper who dives to stop it well.

38.1

1

Back of a length ball on middle, Marnus pulls it towards fine leg for a single.

Neil Wagner comes back on! 7-0-25-0 are his figures so far.

37.6

.

In the channel outside off, left alone.

37.5

1

Around off this one, tucked towards the leg side and a quick run taken.

37.4

.

Outside off, left alone.

37.3

1

6th Test half ton for Joe Burns. A very well composed one from him. A full ball around off, Burns pushes it through covers and takes a single to reach the landmark.

37.2

1

Short ball on middle, Marnus pulls it towards deep square leg for a single now.

37.1

2

Brilliant running between the wickets! On a length on middle, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket. He calls for two and Burns responds quickly.

36.6

.

Full delivery on off, pushed to point.

36.5

1

Short ball on middle, Labuschagne pulls it to fine leg and takes a single.

36.4

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

36.3

1

Good length ball on off, Burns looks to defend it but it goes off the inside edge past the stumps. A single taken.

36.2

.

Outside off, Burns pushes it to point.

36.1

.

BEATEN! Beautiful bowling! Full delivery outside off with extra bounce, Burns pushes at it from inside the crease but misses it completely. Watling collects it near his head.

35.6

.

Outside off, Marnus offers no shot to this one.

35.5

1

Length delivery outside off, Burns guides it towards point for a run.

35.4

1

Short of a length delivery, Labuschagne pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

Aleem Dar is down injured it seems. Kiwi physio is out to check after him. He collided with Santner while trying to stay away from the line of the throw from Southee. Some magic spray being applied. He now gets up, does some walking. Well, his knee is getting taped up. Takes a pain killer too. He is now ready to go.

35.3

.

Good length ball just outside off, Labuschagne tucks it towards the leg side. Burns wants a single. Labuschagne is not interested. Southee gets to the ball and aim the stumps at the non-striker's end. Burns dives to make his crease. However, Southee misses his shy at the stumps. There is a collision between umpire Aleem Dar and Santner. Mitchell was probably coming to collect the throw while Dar was trying to stay away from the firing line. Aleem Dar is down.

35.2

.

Nicely bowled! Bouncer on middle, Labuschagne does well to sway away from it.

35.1

1

Good length ball just outside off, Burns guides it towards third man and gets three closer to his half ton.

34.6

.

Again outside off, Labuschagne lets it go.

34.5

.

Outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

34.4

2

Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs.

34.3

.

On a length on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket.

34.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it out.

34.1

.

On a length on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to mid-wicket.

33.6

2

Full delivery outside off, Burns drives it through covers. Two runs taken.

33.5

2

Short and outside off, Burns cuts it through point. The batsmen get two runs.

33.4

1

Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

33.3

4

FOUR! Why is there no third man in place? If there was a fielder placed it would have gone straight into his hands. Short and outside off, Labuschagne plays an upper cut over third man for a boundary.

33.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Labuschagne defends it out.

33.1

.

On a good length on off, Labuschagne defends it off the front foot.

Tim Southee back on. Searching for his second.

32.6

.

Good length delivery on middle, Burns keeps it out.

32.5

.

Outside off, Burns offers no shot to this one.

32.4

.

On a good length on middle, Joe defends it off the front foot.

32.3

.

Good length delivery on off, Burns defends it out.

32.2

.

Length delivery on off, Burns plays it to point.

32.1

.

On a length on middle, Burns flicks it to mid-wicket.

31.6

.

Flatter around off, Labuschagne keeps it out.

31.5

1

Shortish and on off, Burns goes back and then comes forward to turn it behind square for a single. 100 comes up for the Aussies. The lead touches 350 too.

31.4

4

FOUR! Second one off the over. Santner bowls it short and wide. This time Burns waits on the back foot and cuts it through point for a boundary.

31.3

.

Full and around off, Burns comes forward and keeps it out.

31.2

1

On middle, turned towards mid-wicket for a run.

31.1

4

FOUR! 50-run stand is up! Brilliant use of the feet from Marnus. Santner flights this outside off, Labuschagne skips down the track and slams it over the cover region and into the fence. Brilliant stand this one. Also, the boundary brings up 1000 Test runs for Labuschagne in 2019.

30.6

.

Fullish and outside off, Burns keeps it out.

30.5

3

Shortish length ball outside off, Labuschagne waits for the ball and then guides it through gully and second slip. The ball races to the fence but Taylor gives it a chase and makes a sliding stop to save a run.

30.4

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

30.4

2nb

No Ball! De Grandhomme oversteps now. Fuller ball around off, Burns looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes towards cover for a single.

30.3

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

30.2

1lb

On the pads this time, Marnus looks to work it fine down the leg side but gets hit high on the pads. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batters cross for a leg bye.

30.2

1wd

WIDE! This time Grandhomme bends his back and bowls a bouncer but it is way over the head of the batsman there. Wided by the umpire.

30.1

.

Full on off, driven firmly by Labuschagne but straight to the cover fielder again.

29.6

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Burns keeps it out.

29.5

1

Loopy delivery on off, Marnus punches it towards point for a single.

29.4

2

Flighted delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

29.3

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Labuschagne comes down the track and plays it back towards the bowler.

29.2

1

Floated delivery on off, Burns plays it towards covers for a run.

29.1

.

Full delivery on off, Burns drives it to covers.

28.6

.

Full and on off again, ML this time drives it to mid on.

28.5

.

Fuller and around off, Labuschagne drives well but straight to the cover fielder.

28.4

.

Landed around off, Labuschagne keeps it out.

28.3

.

Good length ball just outside off, Marnus lets it be.

28.2

1

Fuller and outside off, Burns leans and pushes it towards cover for a single.

28.1

.

Good length ball on middle, worked towards mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to bowl from the other end. 8-1-15-0 are his figures so far.

27.6

.

Nicely bowled! Fires this one on the stumps line, Labuschagne gets his bat down in time to keep it out.

27.5

.

Around off, it is defended.

27.4

1

Another ball on middle, Burns this time works it towards square leg and crosses for a run.

27.3

1

Slightly quicker and on middle, Labuschagne turns it with the spin towards square leg for a run.

27.2

.

Gives this one a lot of air and lands it around off again. Labuschagne blocks it out nicely.

27.1

1

Santner starts with a fullish ball around off, Burns comes forward to defend but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes towards square leg for a single.

We are back for the third session. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne will resume their innings for the hosts. Mitchell Santner will start the proceedings for the final session of Day 3.

... Day 3, Session 3 ...

74 runs from the session for Australia and their lead now reads 325 runs. While they have lost the wicket of Warner, Burns along with Labuschagne have added 31 runs in 9 overs. The Kiwis have bowled good lines and lengths but have not been able to get wickets. A dropped catch from de Grandhomme and the run out opportunity missed by Santner, these are two things the Kiwis might talk about in this break. The two reviews that they've lost might trouble them going ahead. Now, how many more Australia would feel safe with? Will they force the Kiwis to bat tonight? Will be interesting to see what approach the Australians come out with. Do join us back for the final session.

26.6

.

Around off, solidly defended. TEA ON DAY 2, AUS LEAD BY 325!

26.5

1

Dropped short! Short delivery on middle, Burns pulls it uppishly but it goes on the bounce to the square leg fielder.

26.4

1

Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

26.3

.

BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne looks to drive it but fails to get any bat on it.

26.2

.

NOT OUT! Waste of a review! Watling was confident in his appeal. Good length ball tailing in, Labuschagne fails to read it and decides to leave it. It hits the pocket of the trouser and goes to the keeper. Watling appeals after collecting it but the umpire says no. After some thought, the Kiwis go for the review. They have lost one already. There was a distance between bat and pad so there was no chance of there being bat on it. The Ball Tracker then rolls in and it confirms that Marnus was hit on the pocket outside off. The impact won't matter as Marnus left the ball alone but the ball was going on to miss the stumps by a mile. Poor review from Kiwis and they have lost their second review as well.

LBW appeal taken upstairs by the Kiwis. Labuschagne is the man in question. The impact does not matter here as Labuschagne did not offer any shot. Well, it looks like the Kiwis will lose their last review as well. The Ball Tracker rolls in and confirms that it is away from the stumps and it is well over too.

26.1

.

Full delivery on off, Marnus drives it to mid off for nothing.

25.6

1

On middle, flicked to deep square leg and picks up a single.

25.5

2

Flatter delivery outside off, ML punches it to deep cover and picks up a couple.

25.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket.

25.3

2

Delicate touch! Flatter delivery outside off, Labuschagne waits for it and then guides it through gully for a couple. Wagner, the man with a lot of stamina, hares after it and cleans it up.

25.2

1

Floated delivery on the pads, Burns sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

25.1

.

Flatter delivery on the pads, Burns attempts to work it on the leg side but gets hit on the pads.

24.6

.

Shortish ball around off, Labuschagne taps it back to the bowler.

24.5

.

Around off, Labuschagne keeps it out off the front foot.

24.4

.

Edged but does not carry to Taylor at first slip. Full ball around off, this time Labuschagne is drawn into the shot as he drives. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards Taylor at first slip but it goes on the bounce. He does well to field it.

24.3

2

Another short ball outside off, Labuschagne cuts it through gully and picks a couple.

24.2

.

Shortish length ball, closer to off pole again. Labuschagne has his stumps covered as he allows the ball go to the keeper.

24.1

.

Fullish length ball just outside off. Labuschagne lets it be.

Colin de Grandhomme is back on. 6-1-11-0 are his figures so far.

23.6

.

On a length on off, pushed towards point.

23.5

.

Well fielded! Floated ball on off, Joe dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of it at all this time. He still plays the drive straight down the ground but Santner is quick to bend on his knees and collect it. Mitchell then looks to throw it back at Burns but does not do so. Burns has a wry smile on his face.

23.4

.

Flatter delivery on the pads, Joe looks to work it down the leg side but gets hit on the pads.

23.3

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot and some lovely footwork! Santner bowls a flighted ball on middle, Burns takes a few quick steps ahead and hammers it straight down the ground. One bounce and into the fence.

23.2

.

Floated ball down the leg side, Joe looks to flick it but misses it.

23.1

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Burns blocks it out onto the pitch.

22.6

.

Another short one on middle, Marnus defends it back to Wagner.

22.5

.

Short ball outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper.

22.4

.

On a length on off, ML rocks on his back foot and blocks it to cover.

22.3

.

Short ball on middle, Marnus pulls it to mid-wicket.

22.2

.

Back of a length delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it off the back foot.

22.1

4

FOUR! Shot! Labuschagne is continuing his form in this innings as well! Back of a length delivery outside off, Marnus rocks on his back foot and cuts it through point for a boundary.

21.6

.

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

21.5

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Burns defends it off the back foot.

21.4

.

OHH! That was close! Quicker delivery on middle which almost brushes the pad of Burns. He, luckily gets his bat down in time and guides it to point.

21.3

1

Flighted ball on middle, Marnus comes down the track and flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

21.2

.

Some spin immediately. Flatter delivery outside off going away from the batsman, Labuschagne looks to defend it but it goes past the outside edge of the bat.

21.1

1

Starts with a tossed up ball outside off, Burns drives it to deep cover and picks up a single.

Mitchell Santner is into the attack for the first time.

20.6

.

Make that two leaves in a row. In the channel outside off, Marnus lets it be.

20.5

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

20.4

.

Another short of a length ball, Labuschagne pushes it towards point.

20.3

1

Short for Burns too. He pulls it towards deep square leg and takes a single.

20.2

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

20.1

1

Dropped! De Grandhomme puts down Labuschagne! He made all the ground by running to his right but cannot hold on. A well directed bouncer on middle, Labuschagne goes for the pull but there is extra bounce on that one and the ball comes slowly as well. As a result, he top edges it towards mid-wicket. Colin runs back from short mid-wicket, gets to the ball, puts in a dive but spills it in the end. How costly will it be? A single taken.

19.6

.

Full and outside off again, another nice looking drive straight to mid off again.

19.5

.

Overpitched and outside off, Burns drives it nicely but straight to the mid off fielder.

19.4

.

Full and outside off, Burns drives it towards cover where de Grandhomme fumbles but it does not cost them a run.

19.3

3

Brilliant running between the wickets! A good length ball on the pads, Labuschagne flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and runs three before the fielder can return the ball to the keeper.

19.2

1

AUSTRALIA'S LEAD NOW READS 300! A shortish length ball on middle, Burns rolls his wrists and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

19.1

1

Labuschagne is underway straightaway! A nice drive too. A fuller ball just outside off, Marnus drives it towards mid off and takes off for a quick single.

18.6

.

Another one which did not get up at all. Another bouncer attempt from Wagner. This is just outside off. Burns is not sure if he should leave it or play at it. He eventually lets it be. Watling collects the ball on the bounce.

18.5

.

Another shortish length, pushed towards gully with an angled bat.

18.4

.

Shortish on off again, Burns this time rides the bounce and defends it towards cover.

18.3

.

Variable bounce starting to come in play. Wagner tries bowling another bouncer outside off. It does not take off though and dies down as it goes to the keeper.

18.2

.

Shortish ball around middle, Joe hops in the crease and keeps it out.

18.1

4

FOUR! Brilliantly timed! Overpitched and outside off. Burns leans into the shot and drives it through cover-point. It races to the fence.

Marnus Labuschagne comes in to bat. The Aussies would hope the first innings centurion replicates his heroics once again and take the game away from the Kiwi grasp.

17.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Warner does not survive long after the LBW shout! After getting a start here as well, Warner gets out. Short of a length delivery on middle which hurried onto him, Warner looks to pull it but ends up top edging it. He then checks whether he won't get hit-wicket as he lost control of his willow. David then, as he goes to pick up his bat sees Blundell taking the catch at mid on and then walks off. Blundell, the substitute fielder, comes a few steps ahead and pouches it safely.

17.5

.

That goes off the cracks! But to the bowler. Full delivery on middle, Warner drives it straight back to the bowler. Southee attempts to collect it but it hits the crack and bounces extremely low, beneath his hands! Tim looks at Warner and then smiles.

17.4

.

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

17.3

.

OHH! Impact was outside off! The impact might have just saved Warner there. Good length ball around off, Warner looks to defend it but misses it to get hit on the back pad. Southee puts in a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Southee is seen talking to his skipper but it seems that Kane Williamson is not hearing it properly. In the end, they decide not to go for the review. The replays roll in and Ball Tracker shows that the impact was outside off. Good decision to not go for the review.

17.2

.

Outside off, left alone by Warner.

17.1

.

Full delivery on off, Warner shouts wait on as he defends this out to the off side.

16.6

1

Shortish ball around off, Warner taps it towards point for a single.

16.6

1nb

Another no ball! Second off the over. To trouble Warner with the short stuff, Wagner is putting a little too much effort and hence probably he is crossing the line there. Another bumper on middle and leg. Warner this time goes for the pull but does not connect. Wagner while returning to his mark, has a word with the umpire there, probably asking where he is landing.

16.5

.

Another back of a length ball but down the leg side. Warner ducks under it.

16.5

2nb

No Ball! Wagner oversteps again. He goes short and on middle again, Burns pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

16.4

.

Full and just outside off, Burns pushes it towards cover. That came from the toe end of the bat.

16.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

16.3

1wd

WIDE! Fullish and wide outside off, actually way outside off. Burns lets it be but Llong stretches his arms to signal it a wide.

16.2

1

Shortish length ball on middle, Warner tucks it behind square leg and gets a run.

16.1

.

Bowls a back of a length ball, but it is sprayed way down the leg side. Warner lets it be.

15.6

4

FOUR! Another boundary for Burns in this over! Joe after a slow start is starting to look good now. Good length ball outside off, Burns drives this through the gully region for a boundary.

15.5

.

OHH! Very full delivery on the pads, Burns looks to flick it but misses to get hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire.

15.4

.

Good length ball on off, Burns looks to defend it but it goes off the inside edge to the leg side.

15.3

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Southee bowls a full delivery outside off, Burns lunges forward and drives it through the point region for a boundary. The fielder chases after it from point but fails to get there.

15.2

.

Back of a length ball on middle, Joe defends it back to the bowler.

15.1

.

Full delivery outside off, Burns lets it go to the keeper.

DRINKS! Warner and Burns have played out the initial hour of this session. Interestingly, the Kiwis have kept things tight and have not allowed easy runs for the Aussie openers. The Kiwis lost one of their reviews, in an attempt to see the back of the 'Bull' but turns out Warner did not glove it behind. Now that both Warner and Burns look settled, they would probably look for scoring opportunities while the Kiwis will hope to get a couple of quick wickets. Interesting hour coming up.

14.6

.

Another short one outside off, Warner looks to play the upper cut but misses it.

14.6

1nb

NO BALL! It is bowled way over, Warner is not worried and he lets the ball go to the keeper. The umpire signals it a no ball as the bowler has overstepped.

Ha ha ha! Intriguing reactions. A sharp bouncer from Wagner, Warner ducks and then gets ready to walk off towards square leg to switch off. But then, he has a look at Wagner and feels that he is going to be given a stare or a piece of advice.

14.5

.

BOUNCER! It is bowled around off, Warner lets it go to the keeper.

14.4

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

14.3

1

RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Poor judgement in running from the batsmen but Warner survives. He was nowhere in the picture. Burns defends this good length ball towards point and calls Warner for a single. Santner comes across, slides and collects it. He then has a shy at the keeper's end but misses it. Had he hit, Warner was a goner. Can Warner make NZ pay for it?

14.2

.

On a length on off, Burns defends it to cover.

14.1

2

Wagner bowls a full delivery on middle, Burns works it towards square leg and picks up a couple before Raval can chase it down from square leg.

13.6

.

Full delivery on middle and leg, Warner pushes it to mid on. Third maiden over for Southee.

13.5

.

Fullish ball on off, Warner is solid in defense and does so towards cover.

13.4

.

Outside off, Warner makes another leave.

13.3

.

Good length ball outside off, David lets the ball through to the keeper.

13.2

.

Good length delivery on off, blocked to cover.

13.1

.

OHH! Good length ball outside off, Warner looks to cut it but it goes off the bottom edge towards the slip cordon. No harm done though.

Tim Southee is back on!

12.6

.

On middle, defended back to the bowler by Burns.

12.5

1

Fullish delivery on middle, Warner tucks it to deep square leg and takes a single.

12.4

.

Good length ball around off, David pushes it to cover.

12.3

.

On a length on middle and leg, Warner works it to mid-wicket.

12.2

.

Full delivery on middle, Warner pushes it to mid on.

12.1

.

Full delivery on middle, David defends it off the front foot to mid off.

11.6

.

On a length outside off, Burns leaves it alone to the keeper.

11.5

1

Back of a length ball on off, Warner pushes it towards the cover region and picks up a single.

11.4

.

BEATEN! Back of a length delivery outside off, Warner attempts the pull shot but misses to get any bat on it.

11.3

.

Fullish ball outside the off stump line, David lets the ball go to the keeper.

11.2

.

Good length ball on middle, Warner solidly blocks it out to mid on.

11.1

.

Full delivery on off, Warner punches this to mid off and shouts a loud no to Burns.

10.6

.

This time goes full on middle does Wagner, Burns is solid in defense.

10.5

.

Fuller one outside the off stump line, Burns does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper.

10.4

.

Fullish delivery outside off, Joe pushes it to covers for nothing.

10.3

.

Good length ball outside off, Burns lets the ball go to the keeper.

10.2

.

On a length on middle, Joe defends it out off the back foot.

10.1

4

FOUR! A loosener to start off from Wagner! A half volley outside off, Burns leans into his drive and drives it past the diving fielder at cover and into the fence. The fielder from mid off chases after it but fails to keep it inside the fence.

Neil Wagner is into the attack.

9.6

.

NOT OUT! Warner stays, New Zealand lose a review. Brilliant bowling from de Grandhomme. He dishes out a shortish length ball just around off and middle. Warner has to play at it. He hops and looks to defend but misses out. The ball hits something and goes towards second slip. The fielder there pouches it nicely. Kiwis are confident in their appeal. It seems like Warner is going off but maybe he was going towards square leg to switch off. Williamson though goes for the review. Let's find out. First up, it is Hot Spot. Nothing conclusive from it. Not the proper angle to view it. Here comes Snicko. No deflection as it goes past the gloves. Then as the ball passes the gloves, it hits the shoulder and there's the deflection of the same on the Snicko. Don't change your decision says Erasmus to Aleem Dar. Warner to continue, the Kiwis go one review down.

DRS TIME! It looked like Warner was going off but maybe he was going towards square leg to loosen his gloves. Was that off the gloves? Let's see in the replays. Looks like hitting the shoulder. Nothing conclusive on the Hot Spot. Snicko time. Nothing on the Snicko either. A deflection is there but it is of the ball hitting the shoulder and not bat. So Warner survives. New Zealand lose their review.

9.5

4

FOUR! Tickled nicely! Not a good ball this one. It is on the pads of Warner. All he needs to do is get a tickle, he does it nicely and it goes to the fence.

9.4

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

9.3

.

Another shortish length ball outside off, Warner this time is clear that he is going to let it go to the keeper.

9.2

.

Shortish and outside off, Warner first lets it be and when the ball goes past him, he tries to upper cut it but makes no connection.

9.1

1

On the pads, Burns guides it towards fine leg for a single.

8.6

.

Brute of a yorker from Southee. Warner looks to flick but misses out. A loud appeal from Southee and the players from slip cordon but umpire is not interested. Looked like a big inside edge on that one. No review taken from the Kiwis.

8.5

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

8.4

.

Beaten! This one kept low! A cross seamed ball just outside off, it pitches and then comes in as Warner looks to defend. Watling pouches it low in front of him. That cut him into half.

8.3

.

Good length ball outside off, Warner lets it be.

8.2

.

Around off on a good length, Warner defends it out.

8.1

.

Shortish length ball, closer to off. Warner covers his stumps and lets it be.

7.6

.

Full and on off, Burns drives it nicely but straight to mid off.

7.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

7.4

.

Length ball around off, Burns pushes it towards point.

7.3

2

Finally, Burns is off the mark! Full and just outside off, Burns drives it through covers. Santner from point chases the ball down and keeps it to two. Brilliant effort from him. Burns though will be a relieved man now.

7.2

.

Landed on middle, Burns turns it towards square leg.

7.1

.

On off, Burns keeps it out.

6.6

.

Beauty to end the over! Length ball outside off, Warner thinks this will come in with the angle. However, Southee takes it the other way by rolling his fingers on the ball. Warner pokes and is beaten.

6.5

.

Good length ball just outside off, Warner defends it out.

6.4

4

FOUR! Full and outside off, Warner drives it through point nicely. The ball races to the fence. The boundary brings 7000 Test runs for Warner, 12th Australian to do so.

There is no obvious intent amongst the Aussie openers. Joe Burns needs some runs. It would be harsh to drop him for the second Test if he fails here, especially having scored more than 1000 runs with Warner in this format. The problem is, the competition is very high, with Usman Khawaja knocking the door. Joe might want to lock that door tight with Uzzie ready to burn it down.

6.3

.

In the channel outside off again but it is on a length. Warner shoulders arms.

6.2

.

Around off on a length, pushed towards cover.

6.1

.

Fuller and outside off, Warner thinks to go for the drive but then curbs his instinct at the last moment.

5.6

.

Outside off, it is left alone by Burns.

5.5

.

Good length ball around off, Burns pushes it towards mid off.

5.4

1

Around off, this time Warner pushes it towards point and takes a quick run.

5.3

.

Good length ball around off, Warner taps it towards the off side and shouts a loud no to his partner.

5.2

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

5.1

.

Beaten! Shortish length, not too wide off the off pole. Warner goes on the back foot to cut but makes no connection.

4.6

.

Shortish length ball, just outside off, Burns taps it towards gully. 20 balls and Burns is yet to get off the mark.

4.5

.

Good length ball angled into the right-hander. Burns punches it towards mid on.

4.4

.

Around off, Burns comes forward and keeps it out off the front foot.

4.3

.

Fullish and driveable ball outside off. Burns is not falling for the trap as he lets it be. Two slips are waiting for the outside edge.

4.2

.

Outside off on a good length, it shapes away as it goes past Burns who allows it to go to the keeper.

4.1

1lb

On the pads, Warner looks to tickle it around the corner to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and a leg bye is taken.

3.6

.

Nearly a drag on! Shortish length ball around off, Burns stays on the back foot and looks to block. He though manages an inside edge which drops near the stumps and then bounces over it. Burns survives a scare.

3.5

.

Fuller one, pushed towards cover.

3.4

.

Second leave in a row as de Grandhomme bowls it outside off on a good length.

3.3

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

3.2

.

Fuller one and on off, driven firmly but straight to the cover fielder.

3.1

.

Shortish length ball around off, Burns taps it off the back foot onto the pitch.

2.6

.

In the channel outside off, Warner lets it be.

Mike Hussey gets a bit nervous, when asked whether he would be happy with Australia declaring post Tea. Hussey says that he is not too sure, with so much time left in the game. His argument is that no total or target is safe with Taylor and Williamson in the opposition. And - Australia are a bowler short. So if wickets do not fall as per plan, then they could be in for some long toil in temperatures of 40-plus.

2.5

.

Good length ball around off, Warner keeps it out.

2.4

4

FOUR! Lovely timing! First boundary of the innings. Goes full just around off, Warner leans forward and drives it through mid off for a boundary. The mid off fielder gives it a chase but the ball wins the race.

2.3

.

Fuller and around off, it is defended off the front foot towards cover.

2.2

.

Fuller and just outside off, Warner drives it well but straight to mid off. Burns was probably interested for a single but Warner shouts a loud no.

2.1

.

Southee starts with a good length ball outside off, Warner has his stumps covered as he shoulders arms.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.

1.6

.

Another one in the corridor of uncertainty. Burns is not attacking these as he lets it go to the keeper. Colin needs to get closer to the timbers here.

1.5

.

In the channel outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

1.4

.

Good length ball around off, Burns keeps it out.

1.3

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

1.2

.

Around off, it is defended.

1.1

.

Shortish ball outside off, pushed towards short third man with an angled bat.

1.1

2nb

NO BALL! De Grandhomme oversteps on the first ball of his spell. Full ball on the pads, Warner tucks it towards square leg for a single.

We are back for the second session. David Warner and Joe Burns walk out to the middle. They survived one over before Lunch and now the duo will look to pile on the runs to take Australia to a further stronger position. Colin de Grandhomme will start the proceedings for the visitors in this session. Here we go...

... Day 3, Session 2 ...

So the one over has been ticked off by the Aussie openers. They will now look to bat deep post Lunch. Bat quickly or normally, we shall come to know after the break. A good session for the Aussies, piling on the pressure, in spite of losing Hazlewood. Their score now reads 251/0 and they might target 400. Or, a quickfire batting performance to get to 350 by Tea and then declare. Join us back at 3.40 pm local time (0740 GMT). 63 overs left in the day.

0.6

.

Full and on middle, Burns pushes it towards mid on to see off the over. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 3.

0.5

.

Another one outside off on a good length, Burns lets it be. Last ball before Lunch coming up.

0.4

.

In the channel outside off first up for the right-hander. Unlike Warner, Burns is not lured as he shoulders arms.

That is very good umpiring. After the third ball, David Warner walked right up to where Joe Burns was batting and banged the pitch hard with his bat. Trying to tap the cracks and make them open a little. Nigel Llong sees that and straightaway walks up to the 'Bull' and prevents him from doing. Like a school kid who has been caught doing a mischief, Warner has his head down and does not even nod. But principal Llong still keeps yelling at him, all the time till Southee gets back to his mark!

0.3

1

Warner is underway! Another good length ball, this is on the pads, Warner tucks it towards fine leg for a single. 3 tricky balls for Burns then.

0.2

.

Good length ball around off, it is defended.

0.1

.

Beaten first up! Full and outside off, Warner is lured into the shot as he drives away from the body. Quite a risky shot this one at this moment of time. 5 more balls to survive before lunch.

So, how do Australia bat? Do they go all out and score as many as they can and give an hour to their bowlers tonight? Or do they just bat and bat and bat till Tea tomorrow? Only Justin Langer has an answer to our queries. The Kiwis are out at the sidelines, waiting for the umpires and the Aussie openers. David Warner and Joe Burns are out in the middle now. The Kiwi players too take their positions in the field. Tim Southee to bowl first up. Can he strike once? Tricky 6 balls to survive for the Aussies. Heavy roller in action right now. Probably, in the attempt of widening the cracks to trouble the Kiwis in the fourth innings. Finally, here we go...

Taylor did hang around a touch, scoring an 80, which was not the most fluent innings in the world but it did keep the Aussies at bay for some time. But the Kangaroos did get what they wished - dismantling the Kiwis before Lunch. Nathan Lyon did get some purchase off the track and he will be looking to do more of the same tomorrow as well.

So, a Starc special enables the Aussies to take a lead of 250. He wreaked havoc on Friday night, under the lights and picked up 4 by Stumps itself. Batting under the artificial lights is never easy and the Kiwis did seem like a cat in front of a car's headlights. They lost their openers pretty cheaply and in spite of a missed review for a caught behind against Williamson, he did not score much.

There are 13 minutes to go to Lunch. So we shall have 1 over before the break. AUSTRALIA ARE NOT ENFORCING THE FOLLOW-ON, which is not a surprise, given that they are a bowler short.

55.2

W

OUT! Caught! That's it. New Zealand are all out. Lyon flights it outside off, inviting Southee for the slog. He obliges and launches it out of the park. He, however, only manages to slice it up high towards point. Neser settles under it and pouches it easily. Southee was defending till the time he had Santner for company but now with an injured Ferguson at the other end, Southee had no other choice than trying to score quickly. He tries and perishes in that attempt. NEW ZEALAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 166.

55.1

.

Flatter one and outside off, Southee keeps it out.

54.6

.

Wide outside off, it is left alone. End of an excellent over from Labuschagne.

54.5

.

Beaten! Nice turn and bounce! It pitches around middle and off and then turns away from the defensive prod of Ferguson.

Lockie Ferguson does come out to bat. This is not to avoid the follow-on, but more to try and keep Australian bowlers as much as possible in the heat. Not sure there will be too many quick singles or too much running at all. Might give some license to Southee to go berserk. 15 minutes to Lunch, which will be extended, if this last wicket does not fall.

54.4

W

OUT! BOWLED! Off the rough! Aha... Marnus Warne has a wicket. Nope, that is not a mistake in the name. That is genuinely a good ball. Full and outside off, Santner looks to drive. But this one has landed on the rough. It then spins back in, goes past the inside edge and hits the timber. Marnus is running along, almost doing an Imran Tahir.

The on-air commentators, Brendon Julian and Ian Smith have an interesting discussion. Should Australia bowl tonight under the lights? Because that is the time when the ball moves like a hoop. However, they are a bowler short as well. Julian reckons that the team should go for it and bowl under lights.

54.3

.

Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

54.2

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

54.1

.

Around off, defended from the crease.

53.6

.

Shortish length ball around off, Southee goes back and keeps it out.

53.5

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

53.4

.

Looks to sweep this time but misses. It is outside off though but Southee goes for the sweep but misses out.

53.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

53.2

.

Flighted ball outside off, Southee comes forward to defend but misses out to get hit on the thigh pad.

53.1

.

Beaten! It is outside off and a flatter one, Southee goes to cut but misses.

52.6

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

52.5

.

Full and on off, Santner drives it back to the bowler nicely. However, Labuschagne gets down to field. It is too straight and hence it goes to hit the stumps. A stifled appeal from Marnus. Aleem Dar goes upstairs. The replays roll in, and it is not sure if Marnus got his hands to the ball. However, Southee is in his crease so not out it is.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Labuschagne is not sure. But Aleem Dar goes upstairs. Not quite sure whether there was any deflection but the bat is well in. NOT OUT.

52.4

.

Fires it on the pads, Santner looks to work it around the corner but misses to get hit on the pads.

52.3

1

Bowls it full and just outside off, driven through covers for a single.

52.2

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

52.1

.

Around off, pushed towards point.

Marnus Labuschagne comes back on. 3-0-8-0 are his figures so far.

51.6

.

Shortish one, Santner stays back and pushes it towards mid off.

51.5

.

Around middle, Santner keeps it out.

51.4

3

Edge again, but wide of first slip. Excellent from the sub Michael Neser though who dives and pulls the ball back in play, just before the ropes. Lyon gives it a lot of air and bowls it wide of off. Southee looks to block but gets an outside edge which goes wide of the diving Smith. It races towards the fence but Neser gives it a chase and makes an excellent stop to save a single. Three for Southee.

51.3

.

Flatter one on off, it is defended.

51.2

.

Fires it full and outside off, Southee reaches out and pushes it towards cover.

51.1

.

Flatter one around off, Southee pushes it back to the bowler.

50.6

.

Yorker now! A good one too but Santner is up for the challenge as he digs it out nicely.

50.5

.

Fuller one on off, Santner comes forward and defends it out.

50.4

.

Bouncer and around off, Santner ducks under it.

50.3

.

On middle this one, it is pushed back to the bowler.

50.2

.

Shortish and just around off, Santner stays on the back foot and taps it towards point.

50.1

.

Good length ball around off, it is defended off the back foot towards cover.

49.6

.

Short ball outside off, Tim punches the ball off the back foot to the off side.

49.5

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Southee lets the ball go the keeper.

49.4

.

On off, defended off the back foot by Southee.

49.3

4

EDGY FOUR! Lucky boundary for Southee. Lyon bowls a flatter delivery outside off, Southee stands tall to cut it but it hits the bottom edge of the bat and goes towards the third man region for a boundary. Gets off the mark with that does Southee. The fielder from the slip cordon runs after it but fails to reach it on time.

49.2

.

Full delivery on off, Tim lunges forward and drives it to mid off.

49.1

.

Flatter delivery on off, Southee punches this off the back foot to the bowler.

48.6

.

Beaten again! Another shortish length ball, this is angled in too. Santner has a poke again but once again it goes past the outside edge. Another excellent over from Starc.

48.5

.

Beaten! A good length ball outside off, Santner looks to drive but the ball shapes away a hint and goes past the bat to Paine.

48.4

1lb

On the leg stump line again, this is just behind shortish length, Southee looks to tuck it towards fine leg but misses out to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg for a leg bye.

48.3

.

Another back of a length ball down the leg side, Southee looks to pull again but misses out.

48.2

.

Bouncer and a well directed one too. Southee looks to duck initially then looks to pull but gets hit on the arm guard. The ball goes towards Paine on the bounce.

48.1

1

Fullish length ball on middle, Santner tucks it towards square leg for a single.

47.6

.

Full and just outside off, it is defended nicely.

47.5

.

Flighted around off and middle, Southee once again lunges and pushes it towards cover.

47.4

.

On off this time, Southee gets behind the line of the ball and defends it out.

47.3

.

Slightly shortish length and around off, Southee goes back and keeps it out.

47.2

.

Around off, it is defended.

47.1

1

Fires it on middle, Santner looks to defend but the ball takes the inner half and goes towards square leg for a single.

Tim Southee is the new man in. Quite possibly, the last man in too. Will Lockie Ferguson bat?

46.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! What is happening here? Lot of confusion going around! The third umpire has told Aleem Dar, the onfield umpire that he has no conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. 5-fer for Starc, though it can be argued whether this was a wicket in the first place. Nasty bouncer, bowled around middle and off, de Grandhomme looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball suddenly shoots up. It goes off something to Steven Smith at second slip who pouches it safely to his left. Now, Starc straightaway celebrates and so do the Aussies. However, de Grandhomme looks a bit confused. He asks Aleem Dar who now gives it out. Colin looks bemused and consults his partner for a review. Signals the 'T'. Here come the replays. Now, by the first look, to the naked eye, from the side on angle, it seems like it has kissed the helmet. But has it kissed the glove or the outside edge? Now, Hot Spot shows nothing on the gloves and then the Ultra Edge rolls in. There is a spike. But, AFTER it goes past the gloves. The third umpire takes multiple looks at it and with every look, it seems like it has missed the glove. However, Marais Erasmus does not want to take any risks and tells Dar that he is not sure whether there is any conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. So, the decision stays as it is. Tough, tough luck for Colin. He will feel robbed. And the Kiwis are robbed of a review as well. If the third umpire is not sure, shouldn't the benefit of doubt go to the batsman? Possible thoughts about changing the rule?

Gone! Michelle for Mitchell! But hang on. Everyone looks a bit confused. The Aussies are celebrating but de Grandhomme is going nowhere. He asks umpire Aleem Dar who now raises his finger. Grandhomme has a word with Santner and then signals the 'T'. Not conclusive through the replays. Hot Spot time. It shows no mark while the ball is close to the gloves. Nothing on the Snicko either. However, the third umpire says that he has 'NO' conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. Pretty bizarre. De Grandhomme will feel let down here.

46.5

.

Short ball around middle, de Grandhomme lets the ball go to the keeper.

46.4

4

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for de Grandhomme! Back of a length delivery outside off, Colin guides this through the gully region for a boundary. He is looking in good touch here. Is he aiming to up the ante? He has got 4 half centuries in his last 5 Test innings. Not a bad time to make it 5 out of 6.

46.3

4

FOUR! That is hit with some power! Starc bowls a short one on off, de Grandhomme rocks on his back foot and pulls it with some disdain to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. There is a man in the deep but it is well ahead of him. He is more at squarish mid-wicket. One bounce and into the fence.

46.2

.

Back of a length ball on off, Colin guides it to gully for nothing.

46.1

.

Good length ball on middle, de Grandhomme defends it off the back foot.

DRINKS! The wicket of Taylor has made it Australia's hour of play. Santner, who will come next to bat is no mug with the bat though. They need 70 runs to avoid the follow-on but it is doubtful that the hosts will enforce it as Paine might not want to tire the bowlers out in this heat especially with one bowler down. Change in bowling too as Starc returns. He is one shy of getting a fifer. In the Drinks break, the broadcaster chats with Smith. Smith says that he was expecting the ball to come towards him in the slips. Tells that there's extra bit of bounce on Perth wicket and hence he always expects the ball to come in the slips. Adds that Lyon was getting a few past the inside and outside edges of Rosco, so the one taking the outside edge was always coming. On his catch late on Day 2, Junior Waugh asks Smith if he is seeing the ball well, Smith points that Waugh himself has taken quite a few catches in the slips in his hay days.

45.6

W

OUT! Lyon strikes and the Australians get the massive wicket of Taylor. No century for him. What was going through his mind? Let us try and see this period off till Drinks? Lyon bowls it full and just around off. Now, normally, Rosco would have attempted a cover drive. But perhaps, he was consumed by the fact that there was a break round the corner. Taylor lunges forward and looks to defend it towards the off side. The ball goes straight on, takes the outside edge and goes towards Steven Smith at first slip. He bends low and pouches it comfortably, just above the turf. Also, commendable effort from Travis Head on the third ball of this over. Had that been a single, Rosco might still have been batting!

45.5

.

Another one around off, Taylor blocks it out off the front foot.

45.4

.

Around off on a fullish length, Taylor pushes it back to the bowler.

45.3

.

DIRECT HIT BUT SAFE! Floated delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards covers where Travis Head picks the ball and fires a direct hit at the keeper's end but Ross Taylor was well in.

45.2

.

BEATEN! Tossed up delivery outside off, Taylor looks to defend but misses it.

45.1

.

Flighted delivery outside off, Taylor looks to sweep but misses it. Tim Paine collects the ball and whips the bails off but Ross Taylor was never out of his crease.

44.6

1

Fuller one outside off, Taylor drives it to the off side and will keep strike for the next over.

44.5

.

On off again, Taylor lunges forward and pushes it to cover.

44.4

.

Short on off, Taylor stands tall and guides it to short third man.

44.3

1

Loopy ball on off, de Grandhomme pushes it to deep cover again and takes a single.

44.2

1

Fullish ball outside off, Taylor drives this to deep cover and takes a single.

44.1

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Taylor lets the ball go the keeper.

43.6

.

Some spin again! Lyon bowls a floated ball on off spinning into the batsman, Colin looks to flick it but it hits the inside edge of the bat and goes onto hit the pads. No run.

43.5

.

OHH! Flighted ball on middle and leg, Colin looks to flick it but gets hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal made for LBW but nothing from the umpire.

43.4

1

Flatter delivery on off, Taylor guides it towards point and takes a single.

43.3

1

On middle, pushes this towards long on and takes a single.

43.2

.

Full delivery on off, Colin drives it back to the bowler.

43.1

2

Flatter delivery around off, de Grandhomme looks to defend it but it goes off the outside edge towards third man. Neser hares after it from point and cuts it off but cannot stop the batters to take a couple.

42.6

.

Shorter delivery outside off, Taylor punches it to point for nothing.

42.5

.

Fullish ball on off, Ross pushes it to cover.

42.4

.

Shorter delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

42.3

.

BEATEN! Quicker delivery outside off, Taylor looks to cut it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge and Paine collects it safely.

42.2

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Taylor leaves this ball alone.

42.1

1

Low full toss outside off, Colin pushes it to long off and picks up a single.

41.6

.

Short ball on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

41.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Taylor sweeps it but it hits Wade on the arm at short leg. No run.

41.4

.

Flatter delivery going straight on outside off, Taylor looks to cut it but fails to make any connection to it.

41.3

.

On middle, defended back to the bowler.

41.2

.

What was that? That is some turn! An off spinner outside off, Taylor looks to drive that but the ball sneaks past the inside half of his bat and goes into the mitts of the keeper.

41.1

1

Flatter delivery on off, de Grandhomme pushes it to long on and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon is into the attack. 7-0-35-0 are his figures so far.

40.6

.

Shorter delivery outside off, Taylor cuts it to point for nothing.

40.5

.

The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

40.4

1

Flatter delivery outside off with a little bit of air, Grandhomme cuts it towards point and picks up a single.

40.3

.

Floated ball outside off, de Grandhomme lets the ball go to the keeper.

40.2

1

Floated ball outside off, Taylor pushes this to deep cover and gives Colin de Grandhomme the strike.

40.1

2

Starts with a short ball on middle, Taylor pulls it nicely towards deep square leg and picks up a couple. Michael Neser, the substitute fielder comes across from deep mid-wicket and dives to make an excellent stop.

Marnus Labuschagne is into the attack for the first time in this innings. Just a regulation slip for him.

39.6

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, de Grandhomme drives it uppishly through mid off for a boundary.

39.5

1

Short delivery on middle, Taylor pulls it through square leg for a single.

Short leg is in place now for Taylor.

39.4

.

Bowls again a bouncer, Taylor easily ducks under it.

39.3

.

Bowls a bumper outside leg, Taylor does well to duck under it.

39.2

.

On a good length on middle, Taylor defends it towards short leg.

39.1

.

Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Taylor ducks under it.

38.6

1

Another short one but this one is on middle, Taylor pulls it to square leg and picks up a single.

38.5

.

Short delivery outside off, Taylor attempts the pull but misses it completely.

38.4

4

FOUR! Nicely played! Short ball on middle, Taylor camps on his back foot and hammers the pull behind square leg for a boundary. They need 89 runs to avoid the follow-on.

38.3

.

On a length on off, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

38.2

.

BOUNCER! Starc attempts a bouncer down the leg side, Taylor goes for the pull but fails to get any bat on it.

38.1

1

EDGY BUT FALLS SHORT! Back of a length delivery outside off, Taylor looks to guide it but it goes off the gloves towards second slip where Steven Smith moves to his right and fails to collect it cleanly. The batters take a single.

37.6

3

Nicely played! Full delivery outside off, Colin leans forward and creams the drive through the covers for three before the fielder can cut it off.

37.5

.

Good length ball outside off, de Grandhomme pushes it to cover.

37.4

.

Bouncer to start to de Grandhomme, it is bowled around middle, Colin does well to duck under it.

Colin de Grandhomme is the new batsman in.

37.3

W

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Missed run out? No worries. Australia's golden boy is here, while Watling is out of here. Aussies have a real chance of bowling out the Kiwis for a low score here. Cummins dishes out a good length ball on off, Watling is in two minds whether to leave it or defend it and then decides to do the latter. The ball kisses the inside edge and goes on to hit the stumps. Now, it all depends on Taylor to help the visitors avoid the follow-on.

37.2

.

Outside off, left alone.

37.1

1lb

Down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken.

36.6

.

Got him! Caught behind! Nope. Full and outside off, Watling leans to drive but misses. There is a noise but that was of the bat hitting the ground. An appeal was made but Aleem Dar shook his head.

36.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

36.4

.

Around middle, pushed towards mid on.

36.3

2

Full and outside off, Watling drives this through mid off and gets a couple.

36.2

1

On a good length on middle, Taylor plays it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

36.1

.

Length delivery on leg, Taylor flicks it towards the leg side.

35.6

.

On a good length on middle, Watling defends it out.

35.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Watling defends it off the back foot.

35.4

.

On a good length and just outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one.

35.3

.

Bowls a bouncer, Watling ducks under it.

35.2

4

FOUR! Classic shot! Full delivery on middle, Watling drives it through mid on for a boundary.

35.1

.

On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the back foot.

34.6

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor lets it go.

34.5

1

Full delivery on off, Watling drives it through covers. The batsmen cross ends. This time Nathan Lyon collects the ball from point and returns a very good throw. The crowd cheers.

34.4

1

RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Oh dear, oh dear, pain for Paine and Australia. And guess who is down in more pain? Nathan Lyon. Remember Headingley a few months ago? More fondly remembered as Stokesingley? Nathan Lyon missed a series-winning run out there. But here, not too sure whether he can be blamed totally. Length delivery on off, Taylor taps it towards covers. He takes the single and Watling returns for the second. However, Taylor takes a few steps and then says no. Watling has no option but to go back. Nathan Lyon gets to the ball from backward point, picks the ball and throws it at the keeper's end. BJ is gone for all money but Tim Paine fails to collect the ball and misses a massive chance of a run out there. The reason for the miss of Paine was that in the corner of his left eye, he saw Marnus Labuschagne get to collect the ball from short leg. Hence, he just took his eyes off the ball at the last moment. And hence, the ball bounces hard into his gloves and drops down. Watling comes back in. Costly. Really costly.

34.3

.

Bowls a bouncer again outside leg, Taylor does not bother to play at it.

34.2

.

Short delivery down the leg side, Taylor looks to pull but misses it. It goes safely towards the keeper.

34.1

.

Bowls a bouncer on leg, Taylor does well to duck under it.

33.6

.

On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the back foot.

33.5

.

Outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one.

33.4

.

On a good length again on middle, Watling defends it towards mid-wicket.

33.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot.

33.2

.

On a good length on middle, Watling looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Probably height could have been an issue there.

33.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Watling flicks it to mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. 10.4-2-34-0 are his figures so far.

32.6

.

Down the leg side again, left alone.

32.5

.

Is that out? Nope. Pad. A length ball down the leg side, Taylor looks to tuck but misses. The ball goes off something behind and Paine dives to his left to collect. Someone appeals but nothing from the bowler or keeper. Hit the thigh pad.

32.4

.

A short ball, around leg stump, tucked towards short leg.

32.3

.

Around off, defended solidly.

32.2

1

Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. The Kiwis are underway for the day.

32.1

.

Not a bad nut to start. An inswinger, albeit a full toss, worked towards short mid-wicket.

The pitch now. Seems like one having some grass but the bowler's footmarks are making an appearance. Will those help Nathan Lyon? We shall see. For now, we are ready to begin the proceedings on Day 3. Ross Taylor and BJ Watling walk out to begin the day. Mitchell Starc to start off proceedings to Watling. Here we go...

New Zealand are in tatters. But can some brave soul amongst you stand up and say it is all over for this inning? Forget Hazlewood's absence. How many times have we seen BJ Watling fight hard when the chips are down and turn around a hopeless-looking situation? This match might be no different. The Kiwis will know that a good session might just take the chances of an Aussie victory out of this Test. And if they manage to get close to Australia's total, they could be in ascendancy as well. Na na, don't get us wrong. You might well see one of the remaining batsmen bat for 3-4 sessions and frustrate the Aussies.

All the sentences written below look good for Australia. However, there is one point not mentioned. The man who got Jeet Raval with a terrific inswinger. The man who has made the line outside off stump his own. The man who keeps inviting batsmen to drive, as if inviting for a Christmas party. Josh Reginald Hazlewood. A pensive-looking Justin Langer sitting outside the boundary late in the evening on Day 2 signalled some bad and serious news. And this morning, it was confirmed. HAZLEWOOD HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS TEST, due to a left hamstring strain. He will bat, IF REQUIRED, pretty much like Lockie Ferguson. Which means, Australia just have 3 bowlers to try and take the required 15 wickets. So if you see, the match hangs in the balance.

Friday was a typical Australia day. Bat long, frustrate the opposition and then rub it into their skin with a few overs left for the close. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, one can say, batted Australia to safety and then Starc just pushed the Kiwis to the wall. All in readiness for a massive first innings lead. But...

The third day. Often called the moving day. Australia well on top in this Test. But a bowler down. New Zealand are 5 down. But can work their way up and affect a draw, taking the advantage of their neighbours being a bowler short. 108 needed to avoid the follow-on. And two good sessions to bat on, with the ball not expected to do much under sunlight. Who will make the first move? Hello and a warm welcome from Perth.

... DAY 3 ...

All the Kiwi hopes will be pinned on Taylor who is batting on 66. He has looked unsettled and unconvincing in his knock so far but the important thing is that he is still unbeaten. BJ Watling is known to be a fighter and they would hope the rest of the batters also contribute to narrow down the deficit which is currently 307. As we have seen that the first two sessions have been excellent to bat and the Black Caps would feel like batting on a different planet on Saturday. Can they make use of those batting-friendly conditions? Australia, on the other hand, will try and take the remaining wickets as quickly as possible otherwise it could be a very tiring day for their bowlers. A lot to play for and it promises to be an exciting day. Do join us at 1300 local (0500 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!

A quick chat with the man of the moment! Mitchell Starc smiles and says that the last session had everything. Feels that they conceded a few more runs than they would have liked but they will take it after picking five wickets as well. Shares that the plan against Wagner was to bowl a few short ones and then hit the stumps. Mentions that Ross Taylor is going hard at them and hopes to remove him quickly on Day 3. On that outstanding catch by Steven Smith, Starc replies that he can pull off a few of those into his pockets and has taken blinders in the past as well. He's feeling bad for Hazlewood and hopes for some positive news on his fitness.

The Aussies had one session to have a go at the Kiwi batters and they made full use of it. They removed the openers in the first two overs itself. However, Hazlewood then walked off due to an injury which meant the Aussies were a bowler short. Post that, Williamson and Taylor stitched a 50-plus run stand between them and it started to appear that Australia will be in for a long day on Saturday. There was a moment in the play when Williamson had edged one but Australia did not review. It seemed like that opportunity and being one bowler short would cost them big but an inspirational piece of catching by Steven Smith to dismiss Kane opened the floodgates. From then on, the procession started. The Kiwis slipped from 77 for 2 to 97 for 5 and now face an uphill task to get back into the game!

Australia's day by a country mile! Everything went according to the plan for them. They mentally and physically drained the Kiwis in the sultry conditions of the first two sessions by keeping them out on the field. It was slow going for the majority of today with the bat by them but they did score some quick runs before being bowled out for a good first innings score.

31.6

4

FOUR! Something to cheer for the Kiwis as Taylor plays a fantastic on drive to finish things off. Cummins is very full in his length as he spears it on middle, Taylor presents a straight bat and drives it past mid on. Neser (sub) can only retrieve the ball from the rope and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!

31.5

.

Full delivery on off, Taylor looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

31.4

.

Bowls a bouncer, Taylor does well to duck under it.

31.3

.

Outside off, Ross lets it go.

31.2

4

EDGY FOUR! Just wide of the second slip fielder! What was Taylor thinking? So late in the day, that is not even a half volley, why would you go after that delivery? Length delivery outside off, Taylor looks to slash at it but gets an outside edge. It goes uppishly wide of the second slip fielder and into the third man fence. Lucky escape for Rosco. He would have been gutted had he got out that way.

31.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Taylor drives it to mid on.

30.6

.

A little too wide outside off, not played at.

30.5

.

On the middle pole, Watling keeps it out nicely.

30.4

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

30.3

1

One more short one on middle, it is pulled through square leg and a single is taken.

30.2

2

100 up for Kiwis! Shorter and on off, Taylor pushes it through covers and takes two.

30.1

.

Nope! It is a short one just outside off, Taylor looks to cut but it is too close to play that shot. He ends up chopping it on the off side.

Right then! It is hat-trick ball time. Starc takes his cap off, gives it to his teammate and then walks towards his bowling mark. An inswinging fast yorker coming up?

29.6

.

Fuller and wide outside off, Watling does not fiddle with it.

29.5

.

A length delivery to end! BJ is solid in defense.

29.4

.

On middle, Watling gets right behind the line and keeps it out.

29.3

.

One more delivery left alone as it is outside off.

29.2

.

Outside off, left alone.

29.1

1

Fuller and on middle, Taylor works it through mid-wicket and a single is taken.

BJ Watling walks out to bat next. He has been in red-hot form of late and is needed big time by the Kiwis.

28.6

W

OUT! TIMBER! They have taken another on the next ball itself and Starc is on a hat-trick. The nightwatchman lasts just the one ball. Half the side back in the hut for New Zealand even before they cross 100. It is a very full delivery outside off from Starc. Wagner is in two minds there and eventually looks to jam it out but does so away from his body. It hits the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. The crowd is going mad. Starc is on fire! Australia finishing the day brilliantly.

Neil Wagner, the nightwatchman, is the new man in. 4.1 overs to survive the day's play. Rosco has a word with him.

28.5

W

OUT! Nicholls is strangled down the leg side. Third time lucky for Starc. His third. The left-arm seamer is stepping up when his team needs him to do so. This though is a lucky wicket. The last two deliveries were similar, they were worked towards fine leg for two. This time though, it is another delivery down the leg side. Nicholls looks to flick but the ball kisses the edge and goes to Paine who takes it, appeals and up goes the finger. Henry is disgusted with himself as he walks back. New Zealand in deep trouble now. Can Australia get another before Stumps?

28.4

2

Another two! Good effort in the field. This is on the pads, Nicholls works it wide of the fielder at fine leg. He runs to his right, slides and saves two for his side.

28.3

2

Two! Down the leg side, Nicholls works it wide of fine leg and takes two.

28.2

.

Back of a length and on off, HN defends it.

28.1

3

Shorter in length and outside off, Taylor rides on top of the bounce and pushes it through covers. Easy three.

27.6

.

Outside off, Nicholls offers no shot to this one.

27.5

1

Short delivery on middle, Taylor nudges it past short leg for a single.

27.4

.

Shorter and on off, Taylor drags it towards leg gully.

27.3

.

On a good length and around off, blocked.

27.2

.

Back of a length again, Taylor stands back and defends it out nicely.

27.1

.

This is angled into the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

26.6

.

Some excitement around the bat but Paine does not review it. It is another length ball outside off, Nicholls looks to push at it but is beaten. Labuschagne at short leg is very interested. Starc though is seen walking back straightaway. No review in the end. Snicko shows nothing. Quite funny that from Marnus, he is the only one screaming in appeal and even said that he 100 percent heard the faintest nick.

26.5

.

A bumper now, Nicholls spots it early and moves out of the way.

26.4

.

This is on the pads, Nicholls looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

26.3

.

On off, blocked.

26.2

1

Fifty for Taylor! His 33rd in this format. Another fighting knock by the Kiwi veteran. He was peppered by the short ones, he looked uncomfortable but is still battling it out there. Half the job is done but still another half left. He gets there by working this short ball on the leg side and gets to the other end.

26.1

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses it.

25.6

1

A single to end as this is pushed towards cover.

25.5

.

Cuts him into half! Double bluff by Cummins. The field was all set for a short one with a leg gully and a short leg in place. It is landed on a length and outside off. Jags back in. Taylor is rooted to his crease and looks to put bat to ball but his inside edge is beaten.

25.4

.

Shorter and on the body, RT nudges it on the leg side.

25.3

2

Played to the point region by the batsman. Two runs added to the total.

25.2

1

NOT OUT! Once again Taylor is well in. The dive saves him there. It is shorter and on the body, Nicholls works it towards mid-wicket and takes off. Burns picks the ball up and scores a bull's eye at the striker's end. They appeal but the umpire initially shakes his head but then takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and they show Taylor is fine.

Direct hit but Taylor seems to be fine again! Can't say though as direct hit makes things interesting.

25.1

1

A short one on the body, it hurries onto the batter quickly. Taylor looks to flick but it hits the higher part of the bat and goes towards fine leg for one.

Pat Cummins is back on. 6.4-2-19-0 are his figures so far.

24.6

.

Outside off, left alone.

24.5

.

The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

24.4

.

Some chin music for the batter! Nicholls evades it nicely.

24.3

1

On middle, this is worked wide of mid on for one.

24.2

2

Full and on off, Taylor strokes it through mid off and the batters take two.

The attendance at the ground is 20,018. And they have been treated to some very good fielding and bowling. Will they get a chance to cheer for one more time before the close? Just 9 minutes left but with 53 balls remaining, don't think play extension is in doubt. So basically, 39 minutes to bowl 53 balls. Does that give enough time to take 2 more wickets?

24.1

.

Shorter in length and on off, Taylor keeps it onto the ground.

23.6

.

Floated delivery on off, Nicholls blocks it off the front foot.

23.5

2

Tossed up delivery outside off, Nicholls sweeps it towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.

23.4

.

Loopy delivery on middle, Nicholls defends it to short leg.

23.3

1

Floated delivery on off, Taylor plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

23.2

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor defends it out.

23.1

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor pushes it to mid on off the back foot.

22.6

.

The batsman works it down the leg side.

22.5

.

Good length and on middle, blocked.

Henry Nicholls is the new batsman in.

22.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! That is a stunner from Smith at second slip. WOW! A blinder. Probably the catch of the summer for Australia. The shot though can be questioned here. Why did Williamson play that? It is a short ball outside off, Williamson looks to guide it down to third man but does not commit to the shot completely. It goes off the outside edge and flies between third slip and second slip. Smith dives horizontally, stretches his right hand out and the ball stays in. A one-handed blinder to get rid of the Kiwi skipper. A special catch to remove a special player. Also, something outstanding to break a stand which looked at ease. Williamson walks back disappointed. Maybe a lapse of concentration for him there. Played at a ball he could have left. Australia back on top now. Kiwis trail by 339 runs.

22.3

.

Beats the outside edge! Not a lot you can do about that delivery. It lands on off which means KW has to play at it. He looks to defend but it slants away and beats the outside edge.

22.2

1

On middle, it is angling away. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through covers for one.

22.1

.

On the pads, Taylor looks to leave it but gets hit around the hip area.

21.6

4

FOUR! Nicely played! Flighted delivery on off, Williamson guides it past first slip towards third man for a boundary.

21.5

.

Loopy delivery on middle, the skipper defends it off the back foot.

21.4

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Williamson nudges it to square leg.

21.3

1

Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards mid off for a run.

21.2

.

Floated delivery on middle, Taylor nudges it to short fine leg.

21.1

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the front foot.

20.6

.

Shorter and on off, KW guides it to point.

20.5

.

One more short one around off, Williamson sways out of the way.

20.4

.

Good length and on off, blocked.

20.3

.

Good delivery! Gets it to land closer to the off pole, it angles away. Williamson hops and looks to fend at it but gets beaten.

20.2

.

One more delivery outside off, Williamson lets it be.

20.1

.

Outside off, not played at.

19.6

.

Flighted delivery on off, Taylor keeps it out.

19.5

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Ross defends it off the front foot.

19.4

1

Loopy delivery on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

19.3

1

Floated delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards square leg for a run.

19.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Taylor defends it to short leg.

19.1

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

18.6

2

A couple! A full toss outside off, Williamson puts bat on ball and gets it through covers for two.

18.5

.

On the shorter side again, Williamson nudges it on the leg side.

18.4

.

This is wider outside off, not played at.

18.3

.

Brilliant comeback from Starc! This lands on off and it is on a length. It pitches and moves away. Williamson is squared up as he tries to defend. Gets beaten.

18.2

4

FOUR! Too easy for Williamson! Full and wide outside off, Williamson opens the face of the bat and hits it through cover-point for a boundary. He eases into the stroke, very elegant and pleasing to the eye to watch him play that.

18.1

.

On a length and around off, it comes at an awkward height for Paine who fails to collect it. Hits him on the finger.

Mitchell Starc is back on! He was excellent in his first spell. Can he break the stand?

17.6

1

A single to end! This is tossed up on middle, Williamson hits it down to long on for one.

17.5

1b

Down the leg side, Taylor lets it be. Paine does not collect it and it goes down to fine leg. A bye taken.

17.4

2

Well bowled! This is floated up on off, it goes on with the around the wicket angle. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge down towards third man for two. This is the advantage of bowling from around the wicket, both the edges come into play.

17.3

.

Flatter and on middle, Taylor pushes it to mid on. Once again Lyon is a little too short.

17.2

2

Floats it up on off, Taylor strokes it towards cover. The fielder dives to his left and makes a half stop. Two taken.

17.1

.

Shorter and outside off, Taylor guides it to point.

16.6

.

Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

16.5

.

A bouncer on middle, Kane ducks.

16.4

.

Back of a length outside off, defended from the crease.

16.3

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

16.2

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

16.1

4

FOUR! Oops! Steven Smith is on the ground and laughing. He has slipped. Outside off, Williamson dabs it towards third man. Smith races after it but cannot pull it off. He dives beyond the boundary and then tries to get up but slips. The crowd has a laugh and Smith joins in too.

Cummins to continue after Drinks!

DRINKS BREAK! New Zealand have fought back well here courtesy their best batters Williamson and Taylor. The Kiwis lost two early but then the two have weathered the storm and are amidst an important stand. Australian bowlers started off really well but the two batters now are playing them nicely. They are a bowler down which also plays in the Kiwis' advantage. Will we see New Zealand continue the fightback or will Australia continue to dominate?

15.6

4

FOUR! Third boundary in the over! This is deft by Taylor. It is quicker and shorter outside off, RT waits for it and guides it past first slip and into the fence. 50 up for the Kiwis. Also, that is the 50-run stand between the two. The best New Zealand pair comes to the fore again. They need to keep going though. They are still 363 runs behind.

15.5

4

FOUR! Up and over! Once again uses the feet to good effect. He gets to the pitch of it. Takes the aerial route, does not hit it that well but clears mid off and bags another boundary. So that inside edge on the first ball is the catalyst for Taylor adopting an aggressive approach. Not wanting to let the offie settle down.

15.4

.

On off, kept out.

15.3

4

FOUR! Just wide! Taylor takes the aggressive approach. He comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and hits it uppishly. Just wide of the diving mid off fielder and into the fence.

15.2

.

The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

15.1

.

In the air... wide! Taylor was rooted to his crease there. It lands outside off and comes back in. Taylor stays inside the crease and tries to defend. It takes the inside edge and then the pads but falls short of the diving short leg fielder.

14.6

.

Angled into the pads, Williamson works it to mid-wicket.

14.5

.

Outside off, not played at.

14.4

.

Back of a length and outside off, Williamson pushes it towards the man at point. The two somewhat look comfortable now.

14.3

.

Shorter in length and on off, Williamson defends it right onto the ground.

14.2

.

Ouch! That might have hurt! Williamson seems in a little pain. This lands on off and it is on a length. Comes back in. Williamson looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the box. Not a pleasant 45 minutes for him. Earlier, he was hit in the same region by a shot from Ross Taylor. Williamson takes a breather but he is fine now.

14.1

.

Slightly shorter and on off, Williamson hops and keeps it out.

13.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Ross blocks it well.

13.5

.

Loopy delivery on off, Taylor keeps it out.

13.4

.

Floated delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

13.3

4

FOUR! Excellent shot. Full delivery outside off, Taylor drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

13.2

.

Flighted delivery outside off, Ross shoulders arms to this one.

13.1

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

12.6

.

Shorter and around off, Williamson keeps it out nicely.

12.5

.

Shorter and on middle, KW ducks under it in time.

12.4

.

Outside off again, it is not played at.

12.3

.

On middle, Williamson stays back and works it to mid on.

12.2

.

Well bowled! In the corridor of uncertainty. Williamson looks to defend but is beaten as he does so inside the line.

12.1

1

This is angled into the pads, Taylor works it wide of the fielder at mid on and takes one.

11.6

.

One more dot to end! On middle, KW flicks it to the man at mid-wicket. A harmless first by Lyon, he was probably a little too short in this over.

11.5

.

The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

11.4

.

Quicker and outside off, Williamson offers no shot to this one.

11.3

.

Flatter and on off, KW goes back and defends it.

11.2

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot! A little too full this time from Lyon. It is outside off, Williamson reaches out for it, gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and creams it through covers.

11.1

.

Gets this one to turn back in but it is a little too short. Williamson has enough time to go back and push it towards cover.

Nathan Lyon is on now! There is turn in this wicket, can he extract some?

10.6

.

Bowls a bouncer, Taylor looks to pull but misses it.

10.5

.

Outside off, Taylor offers no shot to this one.

10.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Taylor rises on his toes and defends it off the back foot.

10.3

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Taylor looks to cut but misses it.

10.2

.

Full again on off, Taylor looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the slip region.

10.1

.

Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards covers where Wade makes a fine stop.

9.6

.

On a good length on off, Kane defends it off the back foot.

9.5

1

Full delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards square leg for a run.

9.4

1

Length delivery on off, the skipper plays it towards point for a run.

9.3

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

9.2

1

On the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

9.1

.

Unplayable! Once again the first ball is a jaffa! It initially angles into the off pole which means the batter has to play at it. It pitches and straightens. Beats the outside edge of Taylor's bat.

8.6

.

Play and a miss! Shorter in length and outside off, Williamson initially looks to push at it but pulls his bat back in time. Now then, Snicko just shows that there was a spike as the ball passes the bat. Also, replays show that Smith was very interested, he did hear something but since the rest weren't sure, no review was taken. That could be a big miss. Williamson could really make Australia pay here especially with them being a bowler down.

8.5

.

Shorter and around off, Williamson plays it right onto the ground off the back foot.

8.4

4

FOUR! Tickled nice and fine! On the pads, Williamson plays it late and gets it to the fine leg fence. Runs starting to come now.

8.3

.

Another one on the off pole, Williamson is solid in defense.

8.2

.

Fullish and outside off, tempting Williamson to play a drive. Kane makes another leave.

8.1

1

A single! Fuller and on middle, Taylor hits it past the bowler towards mid off for one.

Change of ends for Pat Cummins.

7.6

1

Very full ball around off, Taylor guides it through point and gets to the other end. So except for the first ball, it was quite an ordinary over.

7.5

.

Slips this one down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses.

7.4

.

Angled into the batter, Taylor works it to mid-wicket.

7.3

4

FOUR! This time Wade does not get away with the short one. It is on the body of Taylor. Not going to trouble him at that pace, Taylor pulls it through backward square leg and gets a boundary to his name.

7.2

.

Bangs it short and on the body, Taylor ducks under it.

7.1

.

Starts off with an absolute gem! Almost unplayable! This is fuller and on off, it seams away late. Taylor is drawn into the drive but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Well, well, well, a surprise here! Any guesses who has come onto bowl? Matthew Wade! Yes, you read it right, Matthew Wade. Can he do something brilliant here?

6.6

.

Probably the first wayward delivery by the Aussies in this innings. Way too short and way too wide outside off. Left alone.

6.5

.

Outside off and it is left alone.

6.4

.

One more short one on middle, Williamson stands tall and defends it onto the ground.

Two gullies in place! Williamson likes to run it down in these areas. That is his scoring region and Australia are looking to stop those free runs.

6.3

.

Good length and on off, Williamson plays it late and right under his eyes towards gully. That was trademark Williamson. You get a feeling, once he starts playing this defensive stroke nicely, he is at his best.

6.2

4

FOUR! Bread and butter stuff! Fuller and angling away from the batter. Williamson waits for it and just opens the face at the very end. Uses the pace of the ball and guides it through point for a boundary.

6.1

3

Three! Shorter and slightly outside off, Williamson hits it hard into the ground. It goes over the leaping point fielder. Warner from gully, hares after it and keeps it down to three.

5.6

.

Almost drags it on! Every ball it seems like Australia are going to pick a wicket. Cummins bangs this one shorter in length. Williamson fails to get on top of the bounce. He tries to defend but gets an inside edge which goes close past the leg pole. Another testing over comes to an end.

5.5

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

5.4

1

Once again awkwardly played! Taylor is living dangerously out there! Another short one and Taylor once again has problems. He somehow fends at it, it goes away from the short leg fielder for one.

5.3

.

An appeal but too high! Cummins lands one more delivery on a length and around off, it jags back in. Taylor once again is done by the inward movement. He misses the defensive stroke and is hit high on the pads. Ball Tracker confirms it is going over.

5.2

4

EDGY BOUNDARY! Full marks to the bowler here but runs for the batters. This is another length delivery around off, it straightens a touch after pitching. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through backward point and into the third man fence.

5.1

.

Beaten on the inside! This lands outside off and it comes back in. Taylor looks to defend outside the line but is beaten all ends up. This is fast bowling at its best from the Aussie pacers.

4.6

.

Another superb bumper to end! It is short and on middle, Williamson picks it late. He initially looks to fend at it but then ducks under it in time. Paine takes it with both hands upwards. Another good over comes to an end by Starc.

4.5

.

This time Williamson connects with the flick shot but straight to square leg.

4.4

.

An ambitious shout but not given! This is on the pads, Williamson looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The Aussies might just appeal at every given opportunity against Williamson as he is the biggest wicket in this Kiwi line-up.

4.3

1

No short leg and Taylor picks up a run! Not sure though if that would have gone to hand. Another short one and once again Taylor is caught off guard. He looks to fend at it by taking his eyes off the ball. It hits the glove, goes uppishly on the leg side and towards fine leg for one. Probably a short leg should be in place as Starc is getting the ball to bounce really nicely.

4.2

.

On middle, Taylor hops and works it to mid-wicket.

4.1

.

Williamson just saves a boundary! Confused about what I just wrote? I'll explain. Starc goes fuller and on off, Taylor creams it right off the middle towards Williamson at the other end. It was so nicely struck that Kane had no time to move and is hit on the body. That was a certain boundary. Starc too is having a laugh. No damage to Williamson though.

3.6

.

Back of a length outside off, blocked back to the bowler.

3.5

.

This time Willy gets well behind the line of the ball and blocks it.

3.4

.

IN THE AIR... DOES NOT CARRY TO SHORT LEG! A length ball, around middle, Williamson hops across to tuck it to the leg side but is cramped for room. The ball bounces extra, pings the gloves and drops in front of short leg.

3.3

4

FOUR! Off the inside edge, misses the stumps! Streaky. Cummins almost strikes first ball. A length ball, around off, Williamson looks to defend but the ball snakes in, takes the inside edge and flies over the stumps to the fine leg fence!

What has happened here? Hazlewood is walking off. He was talking to Starc but was not happy. He is holding his sides and gingerly walking off. So, like New Zealand, Australia too, are a bowler short. PAT CUMMINS TO BOWL NOW.

3.2

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

3.1

.

A length ball, down the leg side, Williamson looks to tuck it to the leg side but the ball hits his gloves and lobs to the leg side. But no short leg in place!

2.6

.

NOT OUT! Taylor is well in. However, the Kiwi players and the supporters must have had their heart in their mouth. A big mix-up. Starc does not follow the bouncer with a yorker but he bowls it full and it tails back in from off. Taylor works it to the right of Cummins at short mid on and takes off. PC dives to his right and stops it. Seeing that Williamson sends Taylor back who is halfway down the track. Cummins lobs it towards the stumps at the striker's end. He misses but Warner from gully rushes towards the stumps, catches the throw and then underarms it onto the stumps. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Australia are confident but Taylor seems relaxed. And now we know why as Taylor has his bat grounded.

Have Australia got another? They are already celebrating but Taylor seems to be in. The umpire has taken it upstairs.

2.5

.

Nasty stuff from Starc! The Aussies have their tails up here. This is a sharp short one, probably first of this innings. Catches Taylor by surprise. He fails to get out of the way and hits him around the shoulder. A nasty bumper to push the batter up and now a yorker to follow it up?

2.4

.

Gets this one to shape back in from outside off, Taylor looks to defend but once again there is extra bounce, it hits the splice and rolls towards point.

2.3

1

Good running! Shorter and on off, Williamson stands tall and drops it towards cover and takes one.

2.2

.

Drags his length back this time and it is outside off, Williamson does not fiddle with it.

2.1

.

Crisp drive but for no runs! Fuller and on off, Williamson strokes it right off the middle but towards short cover.

1.6

.

Another length delivery around off, Taylor guides it towards point, he wanted a run but is sent back. A dot means it is a wicket maiden from JH. Australia bowlers could have not started any better.

1.5

.

Good delivery first up to Taylor. Made him play. On a length and around off, it is kept out.

Ross Taylor is the next batsman in. The two New Zealand have out there, hold the key. Both scored tons against England in the last Test and they need a similar effort here.

1.4

W

OUT! KABOOM! Number two is down in the second over itself! So Raval does go early and has been knocked over. Hazlewood too has a wicket to his name. Gets the line right, gets the length right and that is the end of Raval. It is fuller and around middle and off. It tails back in late. Raval fails to adjust to the movement. He tries to flick it in the end but misses. It hits the pads and then the stumps. Another low score for Raval and New Zealand are in big trouble here.

1.3

.

Closer to the off pole than the last ball, not close enough to make the batter play though.

1.2

.

This one is outside off again but it does not come back in. Easy leave.

1.1

.

OHHH! That is pretty close. This starts outside off and it comes back in late. Raval lets it be and it goes just over the off pole. He may have not expected it to come back so much but in the end it turned out to be a good leave.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end.

0.6

.

A huge shout by Paine but not given! Down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick but misses. There is a sound as the ball passes the batter. Paine takes it and appeals but Starc is not interested. Replay shows it is off the thigh pad. End of a successful first for Starc.

Kane Williamson is the new man in. The skipper needs to play a solid knock here.

0.5

W

OUT! In the air... taken! Latham is out of here for a duck! Now, now, now, who expected that? Everyone would have put his money on Jeet Raval to go early. Mitchell Starc draws first blood. The extra bounce does Latham in. It is shorter and on the body, Latham looks to work it on the leg side but there is extra bounce. He does try to take his hand off the handle but too late. It hits the higher part and lobs back towards the bowler. He takes a dolly moving to his right. An early breakthrough, just the start Australia wanted. Also, a good wicket as Latham is known to play long innings.

0.4

.

Good delivery and well played in the end! Shorter and on off, it keeps rising after bouncing. Latham does well to pull his bat out of the way right at the end.

0.3

1

Raval is underway! A little too straight again, Raval looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the leg side and a single is taken.

0.2

.

A little too straight and the length is also shorter. Raval looks to leave it but is hit on the thigh pad.

0.1

.

Starts off with a very full delivery on middle, no swing on offer for Starc. Raval is solid in defense as he shows the full face of the bat.

The players are back out in the middle. Jeet Raval and Tom Latham are the openers for New Zealand. It is that man who has a terrific record with the red ball and white ball but it escalates even higher with the pink. Mitchell Starc. To Jeet Raval. Three slips and a gully in place. Let's play.

Do Australia have enough? Ian Smith mentioned before Lunch that 350 is a good score on this track. The pitch does look a bit on the slower side but that makes it equally difficult for the bowlers to take wickets. Having said that, twilight period is approaching and the Aussies will be hoping for 3-4 wickets by Stumps. Join us back at 6 pm local (1000 GMT).

Neil Wagner is caught for a quick chat on his way back. He says that it's been pretty hard and tough conditions and praises the boys for fighting it out. Credits the Australians for batting well. Smiles and tells that the push-up (after the Lunch break) was to keep himself going and being nicely warmed up as you tend to get stiff during the break.

A tough, tough 5 sessions for the visiting side. They found nothing in the heat, right from Thursday and only under lights, did they find some movement with the pink ball. That was the time when they got Matthew Wade last evening but other than that and the Warner catch, it has all been poor shot selection from the Aussies. But Wagner toiled hard, totally deserving his 4 wickets while Southee got some cheap ones towards the end. Sadly for the Kiwis, Santner was unimpressive and they did miss Lockie Ferguson today.

How does it feel when you are tired, waiting for the innings to end and then finally drag yourself off the field? And then when you see that your mates, who are not even in the playing XI, are there at the boundary line, ready to receive you with a big smile? Just lifts your spirits, doesn't it? That is how this Kiwi team is.

146.2

W

OUT! Caught behind! No 5-fer for Wagner, no declaration from Australia because they have been bowled out. A short ball, down the leg side, Paine looks to pull but he is cramped for room. The ball takes the glove and BJ Watling dives to his left to take the catch. He appeals and umpire Aleem Dar raises his finger. Paine does not bother reviewing and the innings ends at last. 416 IS WHAT AUSTRALIA HAVE MANAGED. TEA AS WELL ON DAY 2.

146.1

.

BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery. On a good length and just outside off, Paine looks to defend but misses it.

Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. 6 minutes to Tea. But it will be extended if Australia do not get bowled out before the scheduled Tea break.

145.6

W

OUT! Caught! That is a good catch from Colin de Grandhomme and Wagner has his fourth! A short ball, outside leg, from over the wicket, Lyon looks to pull but this time gets a bit of a top edge. The ball flies in the air and de Grandhomme at fine leg slides to his right and takes a good catch as the ball was coming at pace.

145.5

.

BEATEN! Full delivery outside off, Lyon looks to drive but misses it.

145.4

4

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Nathan Lyon. Short of a length delivery on leg, Lyon pulls it over fine leg for a boundary.

145.3

4

FOUR! Good shot. Short delivery on leg, Lyon pulls it over square leg for a boundary.

145.2

.

Full delivery on off again, Lyon keeps it out.

145.1

.

Full delivery on off, Lyon defends it back towards the bowler.

Nathan Lyon is the next batsman in.

144.6

W

OUT! Caught! Starc holes out now. Finally someone is there to take a catch. Great take from a great player. Kane Williamson. After spending 145 overs in the field, you do this. Rephrase. EVEN after spending so much time on the field, you do this. Full and outside off, angling away, Starc looks to go over the bowler but the bat turns in his hands and he ends up skewing it. The ball goes off the top edge high in the air. It looks like it will land safely but Williamson covers good ground to his right from mid off, keeps his eyes on the ball and then slides to take a stunner. Superb. Starc's cameo ends but the innings doesn't. Australia continue to bat.

144.5

.

Outside off, Starc shoulders arms to this one.

144.4

.

Full delivery on off, Starc drives it back towards the bowler.

144.3

2

Length delivery on off, Starc lofts it over covers. The batsmen get two runs.

144.3

1wd

WIDE! Bowls a bouncer outside off, Starc lets it sail through to the keeper. The umpire gives it wide for height.

144.2

.

On a good length on leg, Starc looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

144.1

.

Outside off, Starc offers no shot to this one.

143.6

1

Full again on middle, Starc looks to flick but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends.

143.5

.

Full delivery on off, Starc plays it back towards the bowler.

143.4

.

On a length on off, Starc guides it to short third man.

143.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Starc drives it back towards the bowler.

143.2

.

Bowls a bouncer, Starc lets it sail through to the keeper.

143.1

1

Full delivery on off, Paine drives it towards mid off. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen manage to take a single.

Neil Wagner is back on! He has been the best bowler for the Kiwis. Can he take a 5-fer?

142.6

.

Outside off, Mitchell leaves it alone.

142.5

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Starc looks to cut but misses it.

142.4

.

DROPPED! When it is not going, it is definitely not going for you. Jeet Raval has been having a torrid time with the bat and now, drops a sitter. Is the possible declaration going on in his mind? Length delivery on middle, Starc looks to loft but hits it straight to mid on. Jeet Raval tries to take the catch, gets to it but then spills it.

142.3

.

On a good length on off, Starc defends it to point off the back foot.

142.2

.

Length delivery on off, Starc plays it towards mid off.

142.1

.

Bowls a bouncer, Starc ducks under it.

141.6

1

Floated delivery on off, Mitchell plays it towards point for a single.

141.5

6

SIX! WHACK! Making hay while the sun shines. Starc is getting into the groove. Full and around off, plenty of flight. Starc gets down and slogs it over long on. There is a fielder over there but no problem. Mitch has enough power. 400 UP FOR AUSTRALIA.

141.4

1

Full delivery on off, Paine drives it towards mid off for a run.

141.3

.

'I AM SORRY!' says Starc. Floated delivery on middle, Paine drives it towards mid on. Santner dives to his right but cannot stop the ball. Now, Paine comes halfway down the track for the single but Starc is busy looking at the mid on fielder. Now he looks back at Paine who indicates that it was his call and he should have run.

141.2

1

Short on off, Starc slaps it towards covers. The batsmen take a single.

141.1

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Starc defends it off the front foot.

140.6

.

Good length delivery on off, Paine defends it out.

140.5

.

Outside off, Paine lets it go.

140.4

4

FOUR! STOP THE PRESS! Tim Paine has scored a boundary. It has been a yawning session of batting from Australia, led by their skipper. That is just his second boundary in the 98 balls that he has faced. Nice shot though. On a length, outside off, Paine rocks back and punches it late, behind point. Sweeper cover is there but before he can sweep across, the ball meets the fence.

140.3

1

Short delivery outside off, Starc cuts it through point for a run.

140.2

.

On a good length on middle, Starc defends it off the back foot.

140.1

1

Length delivery on middle, Paine flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a single.

Tim Southee is back into the attack! 27-6-84-2 are his figures so far.

139.6

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Loopy delivery on middle, Starc plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary.

139.5

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Mitchell defends it off the back foot.

139.4

1

Floated delivery on off, Paine plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

139.3

1

Short delivery on off, Starc cuts it through point. The batsmen take a single.

139.2

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Starc defends it off the front foot.

139.1

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Starc pushes it back towards the bowler.

138.6

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Tim defends it out of the back foot.

138.5

1

Full delivery outside off, Starc drives this to cover and picks up a single.

138.4

4

FOUR! Just inside from being a six! Flighted delivery on off, Starc bends and then lofts this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. That part of the boundary is quite long and that is the reason for the ball not going over the ropes. Colin de Grandhomme is stationed there but he is standing few metres ahead of the boundary fence making it difficult for him to reach it on time.

138.3

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Starc flicks it towards mid-wicket but for no runs.

138.2

.

Loopy ball on middle, Starc blocks it out.

138.1

.

Full delivery on off, Mitchell pushes it back to the bowler.

137.6

2

Floated on middle, Paine bends on his knees and then plays the paddle sweep to fine leg and picks up a couple.

137.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

137.4

.

OHH! Flighted delivery down the leg side, Paine looks to sweep it but misses it. The Kiwis appeal for caught behind but the umpire shakes his head.

137.3

.

Quicker delivery on off, Paine pushes it out to cover. Santner thought there was pad first but the umpire says no.

137.2

.

Floated ball on off, Paine pushes it back to the bowler.

137.1

1

Floated ball on off, Starc flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

136.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Paine defends it back to the bowler.

136.5

1

Floated ball on off, Starc attempts to defend it but it goes off the outside edge past the slip cordon. The batters take a single.

136.4

.

On off, defended out to cover.

136.3

4

FOUR! Just wide of Colin de Grandhomme. Flighted ball on off, Starc goes down on his knees and then plays the slog sweep towards deep mid-wicket where de Grandhomme is stationed but it is just wide of him. The ball goes for a boundary and Starc gets his first one of his innings.

136.2

.

Another flat one on middle, Starc tucks it to square leg.

136.1

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Starc plays it back to the bowler.

135.6

1

Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

135.5

1lb

Down the leg side, Tim looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken.

135.4

.

Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.

135.3

.

Around off, defended watchfully.

135.2

2

EDGED, BUT NO ONE TAKES IT! Frustration for New Zealand. Fractionally short outside off, Paine rocks back and looks to cut. But he is too close to the ball. It takes the outside edge and goes behind. But Watling is wrong-footed, moving to his left. The ball goes to his right and Ross Taylor at first slip is a bit wide. The strawberry goes right in between them to the third man fence before it is cut off. Two runs taken.

135.1

.

Outside off, punched off the back foot.

134.6

1

Full and outside off, pushed through mid off for a single.

134.5

1

Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! It has been a sedate hour of play for Australia after Lunch. They have not added many runs after the break and just before Drinks, Cummins was bowled around the legs. New Zealand will be happy with this hour. They were good in their lines and lengths and even got the wicket of Pat Cummins. Mitchell Starc is the next man in.

134.4

W

OUT! BOWLED! MAIDEN TEST WICKET FOR JEET RAVAL! And more than him, Watling is happy. What happened there? Cummins has been bowled around the legs. A flighted ball down the leg side which spins from leg towards middle stump, Cummins looks to sweep it but fails to get any bat on it. The ball goes around his legs and hits the stumps. An annoying stand comes to an end. Can the Kiwis finish Australia off before Tea?

134.3

1

Outside off, pushed to deep cover for a single.

134.2

.

Full delivery around off, Paine drives it to cover for nothing.

134.1

.

BEATEN! Beautifully bowled! Raval flights this one outside off, Paine attempts to drive it but fails to make any connection to it.

133.6

.

Fuller again on middle, Cummins defends it out.

133.5

.

Full on middle, Pat pushes it back to the bowler.

133.4

.

BEATEN! Quicker delivery at 92.1 kph outside off, Cummins looks to defend it but misses it.

133.3

.

On middle, defended back to Santner.

133.2

.

Tossed up ball on middle, Cummins works it to mid-wicket.

133.1

.

Floated ball on middle, Cummins defends it back to the bowler.

132.6

.

On middle, Paine pushes it to mid on.

132.5

1

Full delivery on middle, Cummins works it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

132.4

.

This time bowls a short one on off, PC guides it to point.

132.3

.

Raval keeps bowling full on off, Cummins keeps pushing it to the off side.

132.2

.

On off, pushes this towards cover.

132.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Pat works it to mid-wicket.

131.6

1

Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins drives this to deep cover and picks up a single.

131.5

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Pat lets the ball go to the keeper.

131.4

.

BEATEN! Flighted ball outside off with some spin on it, Cummins looks to defend it but misses it.

131.3

2

Short ball on middle and leg, Cummins pulls it to backward square leg and picks up a couple before the fielder can come across and clean it up.

131.2

.

Tossed up ball on off, Cummins defends it to point.

131.1

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

130.6

.

On middle, defended back to the bowler.

130.5

1

Full delivery around off, Cummins drives it to mid off and takes a quick single.

130.4

.

Fullish ball on off, pushed to cover.

130.3

.

Flatter delivery on off, Cummins pushes it to mid off.

130.2

1

Shorter delivery outside off, Cummins punches this to deep cover and picks up a single.

130.1

.

Floated ball outside off, Paine lets the ball go to the keeper.

129.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Cummins solidly defends it.

129.5

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

129.4

.

Outside off, left alone by Pat.

129.3

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

129.2

4

EDGED, FOUR! Sob. Something which is rare in this Test match. An event ball. Full and outside off, Cummins lunges out to push away from his body. The ball spins, turns, bounces and takes the outside edge. But it goes past slip and beats Jeet Raval at short third man.

129.1

.

Floats this one up on off, Cummins blocks it to point.

128.6

1

Short ball on middle, Pat tucks it to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

128.5

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Cummins defrends it out.

128.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Pat works it to the leg side.

128.3

.

BEATEN! Flatter delivery outside off with some spin off the wicket, Cummins looks to play the cut but misses it completely.

128.2

.

Flatter delivery on off, Cummins blocks it out.

128.1

.

Floated ball outside off, Cummins shoulders arms to this one.

127.6

.

Shorter delivery on off, Paine defends it to point.

127.5

.

Outside off, left alone.

127.4

1

Fullish ball outside off, Cummins lunges forward and then drives it to deep cover and picks up a single.

127.3

.

Floated ball on middle, Cummins blocks it out solidly.

127.2

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

127.1

.

Flighted ball on middle, Cummins defends it to the bowler.

126.6

1

Another short one outside off, Cummins punches this to deep cover and picks up a single to keep strike for the next over. 350 UP FOR AUSTRALIA. The question is not how many more will they add, but how long will they look to bat?

126.5

1

Shorter in length this time outside off, Paine cuts it towards deep cover and gives Cummins the strike.

A bit puzzling strategy by Paine and Cummins. Are they batting for just time? Given by their approach, seems like Paine is looking to try and hold Australia till the twilight period. Even loose balls from Raval are going unpunished.

126.4

.

On middle, Paine drives it back to the bowler.

126.3

.

Loopy ball on off, Tim drives it to mid off for nothing.

126.2

.

Floated ball outside off, Paine leaves it alone.

126.1

.

Full delivery on off, Paine pushes it to cover.

125.6

.

Another flat delivery on middle, Cummins defends it out.

125.5

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

125.4

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Cummins defends it out.

125.3

.

Outside off, left alone.

125.2

.

Some spin on offer! Santner flights this one up around off, Cummins attempts to defend it but fails to get any bat on it due to the massive away spin along with the bounce. Nathan Lyon will be watching that closely.

125.1

.

Floated ball outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. 24-3-82-0 are his figures so far.

124.6

.

On off, pushed towards mid off.

124.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Paine pushes this to mid off.

124.4

.

Full toss on off, Paine pushes it to cover.

124.3

.

On middle, pushed back to the bowler.

124.2

.

Short delivery outside off, Paine cuts it but straight to the point fielder who collects it on the bounce.

124.1

2

Full delivery around off, Paine drives this wide of the deep cover region and picks up a couple. Colin de Grandhoome comes across and cleans it up.

123.6

.

Back of a length delivery on middle, Cummins stands tall and blocks it onto the pitch.

123.5

.

Slower delivery on middle and leg, Cummins works it away to leg gully.

123.4

.

Full delivery down the leg side, Cummins looks to flick it but misses it.

123.3

.

BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle stump, Cummins ducks under it.

123.2

.

Back of a length delivery on middle, Cummins tucks it to mid-wicket.

123.1

.

Full delivery outside off angling into the batsman, Pat lets the ball go to the keeper.

122.6

.

Flatter delivery way outside off, Paine has no problem in leaving this ball alone.

122.5

.

Tossed up ball on middle, Paine blocks it out.

122.4

.

Loopy ball on middle, Tim defends it out.

122.3

.

Short ball outside off, Paine plays the square cut but finds the point fielder.

122.2

.

BEATEN! Nicely bowled! Flatter delivery outside off with a little bit of spin on it, Paine attempts the cut shot but fails to make any connection to it.

122.1

.

Tossed up ball on middle, Paine whips it to mid-wicket.

121.6

.

Wagner bowls a full delivery outside off, Cummins lets it go to the keeper.

121.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Pat drives it to mid on.

121.4

.

Slower delivery on middle, Cummins picks it up early and then flicks it to mid-wicket.

121.3

1

Short ball on the middle stump line, Paine pulls it to deep square leg and takes a single.

121.2

1

Good length ball on off, Cummins guide it to point and crosses over for a single.

121.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Cummins drives this but the mid on fielder comes across and cleans it up.

120.6

1

Raval tosses this one up, Cummins looks to heave it away but it goes aerial. Luckily for him, it lands short of the mid on fielder. The batters take a single.

120.5

.

Loopy ball on middle and leg, Pat defends it back to the bowler.

120.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Cummins pushes it to mid on. No run.

120.3

.

Tossed up ball on off, Cummins is solid in his defense and does so to cover.

120.2

.

Another very full delivery, almost a yorker, Cummins digs it back to the bowler.

120.1

1

Very full delivery outside the off stump line, Paine drives this to deep cover and takes the single.

119.6

.

On a length outside off, Pat shoulders arms to this one. Maiden over from Wagner.

119.5

.

Short of a length delivery on middle, Pat blocks it out.

119.4

.

Wagner is sticking to the short of a length, this time he bowls it on off. Cummins is ready for it and then defends it towards point.

119.3

.

Short ball on middle and leg, Cummins blocks it out onto the pitch off the back foot.

119.2

.

Back of a length delivery on off, Cummins stands tall and defends it out.

119.1

.

Short ball around middle, Cummins ducks under it.

118.6

1

Raval tosses this one up on middle, Cummins works it to square leg and keeps the strike for the next over.

118.5

.

Floated ball on off, Pat defends it to cover.

118.4

.

Loopy ball on middle and leg, Cummins works it to mid-wicket.

118.3

1

Flighted ball on middle, Paine works it behind square leg for a single.

118.2

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Paine cuts off the back foot towards point where Santner tumbles to field the ball.

118.1

.

Starts with a tossed up ball outside off, Paine shoulders arms to this one.

Jeet Raval will bowl from the other end. 2-0-8-0 so far. Haven't seen too many bad balls from him, even though he is a part-timer. Very easy-to-go action, with a bit of a loop, but not much threatening either.

117.6

.

On middle, defended out by Cummins.

117.5

1

Another short one on the leg stump line, Tim pulls it to backward square leg for a single.

117.4

.

Short ball around middle, Paine plays the pull shot but gets a bottom edge. The ball goes on the bounce to Colin de Grandhomme at leg gully.

117.3

.

On a length outside off, Paine lets the ball go to the keeper.

117.2

2

Short ball on middle, Paine rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The batters take off for a couple but Paine wants three. Cummins though, is not too sure and sends Paine back. The fielder at deep mid-wicket throws it to Wagner first and then throws it to Watling but by then Paine had made it back to the crease.

117.1

.

Wagner starts with a short ball outside off, Paine sways away from it.

We are all set to begin the second session! The Aussie skipper, Tim Paine and Pat Cummins make their way out to the middle along with the the Kiwi players. Neil Wagner to start for the visitors. Todd Astle is on the field for Lockie Ferguson.

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

Now, what is on the card for the second session? Australia are closing in on 350. They would want to play out the first hour of the session and then take the aggressive approach to score runs quickly. The Kiwis would want to remove the remaining 4 wickets as quickly as possible. Join us to find out post this Lunch break.

The day started with Labuschagne and Head starting nicely and raising a 50-run stand between them. Wagner removed Labuschagne to break the stand. Head was then joined by skipper Paine in the middle and the duo added 24 runs. However, Head fell after his 50 to Southee. Cummins then joined Paine and saw off the remaining overs to go to Lunch.

Another tough day for the Kiwi bowlers in hot and humid conditions. They have picked up a couple of wickets but with one bowler short, it has been really a toil for them. The pacers worked hard but would've hoped for some assistance from the spinners. However, Santner did not look threatening in the 4 overs he bowled.

116.6

.

Around off, Paine defends it out nicely. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2.

116.5

1

Paine comes forward and converts this loopy ball as full toss and drives it through mid off for a run.

116.4

1

Full and on off, pushed through covers for a single.

116.3

.

Sharp turn there. Flights this one and lands it just around off. Cummins looks to drive but gets beaten as the ball turns away.

116.2

1

Flighted, fuller and on middle, Paine pushes it towards mid on and takes off. Cummins though is ball watching and reacts late. The fielder fires the throw towards the keeper but Pat makes his crease with a dive.

116.1

.

Full and around off, it is defended.

Jeet Raval to bowl the last over before Lunch. Bowled one on Day 1. Just one slip for him.

115.6

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, Cummins drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

115.5

1

Flighted delivery on off, Paine drives it through covers for a run.

115.4

.

Loopy delivery on off, Tim plays it to the off side.

115.3

.

Floated delivery on off, the skipper defends it off the front foot.

115.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Paine keeps it out.

115.1

.

Flighted delivery on off, Paine defends it off the front foot.

114.6

.

Huge appeal for caught behind this time. Williamson though does not go for the review. Probably because he lost one in the last over. A good length ball, coming in sharply. Pat looks to defend but fails to make connection as the ball sneaks through and goes to Watling behind. Watling and the bowler make a loud appeal. Not out says the umpire. Southee and Watling are sure that they heard a noise but Williamson says he did not hear a thing. Replays roll in and they suggest that there was no bat involved and the noise was of the ball kissing the pocket of the trouser.

114.5

.

Bouncer on middle, Cummins ducks under it.

114.4

.

Full and around off from Southee this time. Cummins is solid in his front foot block again.

114.3

3

Full and outside off again. Paine this time drives it through point and picks three.

114.2

.

Fullish and on off this time. Paine comes on the front foot and defends it out.

114.1

.

Fullish length ball in the channel outside off, Paine lets it be.

113.6

.

Loopy delivery on middle, Cummins blocks it off the back foot.

113.5

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Pat keeps it out.

113.4

.

Floated delivery on off, Cummins defends it off the front foot.

113.3

1

Flighted delivery on middle, Paine flicks it towards square leg for a single.

113.2

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Paine plays it to point.

113.1

.

NOT OUT! Impact outside off. New Zealand lose their review. A flighted ball around off, Paine comes forward to defend but misses to get hit on the front pad. Santner and the keeper appeal but not out says the umpire. Williamson after consulting the bowler opts to take the decision upstairs. Let's see what the replays show. No edge, confirms Snicko. Now, the Ball Tracker. Here it comes, well, impact is outside off. Forget about where it hits then. Paine stays.

Huge shout for LBW! Umpire Nigel has a long look but says nothing. Williamson signals for the review after a chat with his mates. Inside edge? Impact? Here comes Snicko. No inside edge. Ball Tracker shows the impact to be outside off. Review lost. Looked close to the naked eye.

112.6

.

Outside off on a good length, it is left alone.

112.5

.

Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler firmly.

112.4

.

Good length ball around off, Cummins stays on the back foot and pushes it towards gully.

112.3

.

Full and on off again, it is defended towards point.

112.2

.

Full and around off for Cummins first up. He is up for the challenge as he drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

Pat Cummins is the next batsman in.

112.1

W

OUT! Drilled straight to the cover fielder. Head departs after playing a handy knock though. A full ball outside off, asking for the drive. Head obliges and connects it well but it goes straight to Santner. He cannot believe it as he goes off. They check for the front foot no ball but Southee is fine. A deserving second wicket for Southee.

111.6

.

Full and outside off, Paine looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and rolls towards point.

111.5

1

Another quick run but this time for Travis Head. Floated delivery on middle, Head drives it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

111.4

.

Flighted delivery on off, Head defends it out.

111.3

.

Tossed up delivery on off, Travis drives it to covers.

111.2

1

Quick single for the skipper. Floated delivery outside off, Paine drives it towards covers.

111.1

4

FOUR! First boundary for the skipper. Full delivery outside off, Paine drives it through covers for a boundary.

110.6

.

Around off, Head defends it out.

110.5

4

FOUR! Fullish ball outside off, Head cuts it through point nicely. Jeet Raval from deep mid-wicket hares to his right, makes a spirited effort to stop the ball but he is unsuccessful in doing so.

110.4

.

Another fuller ball, this one comes in after pitching outside off. Head covers his stumps and lets it be.

110.3

.

Shot but straight to the cover fielder. Full and just outside off, Head strokes it nicely but straight to the fielder.

110.2

.

In the channel outside off, Head lets it be.

110.1

.

Starts with a fuller ball outside off, asking the batsman to go for the drive. Head though is not interested.

Tim Southee returns. 24-5-77-1 are his numbers so far.

109.6

.

Shortish again and on middle, Paine pushes it back to the bowler.

109.5

.

Shortish ball on middle, Paine goes back and keeps it out.

109.4

.

Fires it on middle, Paine tucks it towards mid-wicket. Head wanted a single there but Paine was not interested.

109.3

.

Flatter and around off, Paine defends it out.

109.2

1

Another bad ball. Short and outside off, Head cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

109.1

4

FOUR! Fifty up for Travis Head. 7th in Test cricket. A poor start from Santner as he bowls a fuller ball down the leg side. Head sweeps it to the fine leg fence.

Spin for the first time as Mitchell Santner to bowl now. 20-3-65-0 are his figures so far. A slip and short leg in place.

108.6

.

Fullish and inviting the batsman for the drive. Paine is not lured as he lets it go the keeper.

108.5

.

Another ball outside off, Paine makes second leave in a row.

108.4

.

Outside off, Paine lets it be this time.

108.3

.

On middle, Paine tucks it towards mid-wicket.

Paine bails out at the last moment. Oh, there was a fly in front of his eyes.

108.2

.

Around off, pushed towards mid off.

108.1

.

Huge appeal for LBW but too high probably. A good length ball on middle and leg. Paine looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Huge appeal from the Kiwis but not out says umpire Dar. The Ball Tracker rolls in and confirms it to be going over the stumps.

107.6

.

Another ball down the leg side. Another attempt of pull from Head. Another failure for him.

107.5

.

Full and on middle, flicked towards mid on.

Silly point comes on for Head. Short leg is already there for the left-hander.

107.4

.

Shortish around off this time, Head strokes it towards cover.

107.3

.

And again. It is down the leg side, Head once again flicks but makes no connection.

107.2

.

Down the leg side this time, Head looks to tickle it down the leg side but makes no connection.

107.1

4

FOUR! Nicely pulled! Bouncer on middle, Head rolls his wrists and pulls it between the legs of Aleem Dar at square leg and past the diving Raval at squarish mid-wicket.

106.6

.

Around off, this time Paine pushes it towards cover.

106.5

.

Make that fourth leave in a row as this one is on a length and outside off.

106.4

.

Gets closer to the off pole but Paine has his stumps covered as he shoulders arms.

106.3

.

Another leave as Paine lets it be once again.

106.2

.

Outside off, left alone.

106.1

2

Fullish and on the pads, Paine flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. It is not from the middle of the bat. The mid-wicket fielder hares after it and returns the ball but cannot stop a couple of runs.

105.6

.

Another bumper! Head ducks under it.

105.5

.

Another back of a length ball. This time the line is right. He defends it out nicely.

105.4

.

Another ball down the leg side. Second one from the over. Seems like Wagner has lost the trajectory. Head lets it be.

105.3

.

Bouncer and around off, Head sways away from it.

105.2

.

Low full toss around off, Head flicks it towards mid-wicket.

105.1

.

Wagner bowls down the leg side again. Head looks to pull but misses out.

104.6

.

Outside off again, Head this time lets it be.

104.5

.

Around off, Head taps it towards point.

104.4

1

RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Direct hit and Head would have been on his way. Outside off, Head looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards point and Head wants a single but Paine sends him back. Henry Nicholls charges in from backward point, gets to the ball and has a shy at the stumps at the striker's end with Head halfway down the track. However, he is not quite able to adjust to the angle and misses by a big margin. Concedes an overthrow as the ball goes towards fine leg.

104.3

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

104.2

.

Play and a miss! Fullish length and outside off, Head feels for the ball as he goes for the drive but misses.

104.1

.

Fullish length ball outside off, Head lets it be.

103.6

.

Good length ball around off and middle, Paine blocks it back to the bowler nicely.

103.5

.

Good length and around off, Paine pushes it towards mid on.

103.4

.

Shortish length and around off, Paine taps it towards cover.

103.3

1

On the pads again, Head tucks it nicely past the short leg fielder behind square leg for a single.

103.2

.

Down the leg side this time. Head lets it be.

103.1

.

Shortish length outside off, Head looks to cut but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Drinks! Labuschagne and Head almost saw off the first hour of play. There's hardly any life on the wicket but Wagner bowled the shortish length with venom. However, the Aussie overnight batters were up for the challenge as they played them well. Labuschagne eventually fell to Wagner just before the Drinks break. Head is looking solid out there in the middle. He has skipper Paine for company. They would look to add another partnership to take Australia towards a big first innings score. The Kiwis are already one bowler short and it seems like they will be having a tough next hour too. They would love to get a few more wickets as soon as they can and try restricting the Aussies to as low as they could. Hot and humid conditions are surely not gonna help them. Interesting hour ahead.

102.6

.

Good length around off, Paine defends it out.

102.5

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

102.4

.

Around off, Paine pushes it towards gully with soft hands.

102.3

.

Outside off, Paine shoulders arms.

102.2

.

Just outside off, guided towards short third man.

102.1

.

Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.

101.6

.

Just past short leg! Good bowling! Another short of length ball into the body. Head tucks it away but it was not too far from the reach of the short leg fielder.

101.5

1

Around off, Paine pushes it through point for a single to get off the mark.

101.4

.

A bouncer to welcome the skipper. It is on middle but Paine has no problem ducking under it.

Skipper Tim Paine walks out. Short leg in position.

101.3

W

OUT! BOWLED AROUND HIS LEGS! It is Wagner who has removed the man who has become a thorn in the flesh of the opposition pretty quickly. Sad, sad moment for Marnus Labuschagne. In spite of scoring 143? Why, do you ask? Because Labuschagne would have been only the third player after Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar to register three consecutive 150-plus scores in Test cricket! He is distraught. Not perhaps of the missed record but simply because he has been denied an opportunity to bat throughout the day. A bit of his own doing, one would say. Labuschagne walks across his stumps and does so pretty early. Wagner targets the stumps and does so with a fast ball. Labuschagne misses his flick and the ball hits the stumps. He just stands there dismayed and then trudges off. The whole crowd gives him a standing applause. Can New Zealand keep Australia under 375 now?

101.2

2

Another back of a length on middle and leg, Marnus pulls it through fine leg and gets a couple. That also brings up the 300 for Australia.

101.1

1

Back of a length on the hips of Head. He tucks it through square leg and gets to the other end.

100.6

.

Good length around off again, Labuschagne bunts it on the pitch on the off side.

100.5

.

On off, pushed towards point.

100.4

.

Outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one.

100.3

2

Around off on a fullish length, Labuschagne flicks it again. This time it is uppish but wide of the mid-wicket fielder. A couple of runs taken.

100.2

4

FOUR! Whipped off the pads. Brilliant shot. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it nicely, using his wrists to the deep mid-wicket fence.

100.1

.

Full around off, driven straight to mid off.

99.6

.

Another bouncer, targeting the head of Head. Head does well to evade it.

99.5

.

Wagner bowls another one down the leg side. Head lets it be.

99.4

.

Down the leg side, Head looks to flick but makes no connection.

99.3

1

Bouncer outside off, Labuschagne pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

99.2

.

Slightly short and on middle, Labuschagne keeps it out.

99.1

2

Short and around off and middle, Labuschagne pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

98.6

.

Beaten! Full and wide outside off, inviting the drive. Head falls in the trap and drives but away from the body to get beaten.

98.5

.

On middle, it is pushed towards mid on.

98.4

.

Around off and on a length, Head pushes it back to the bowler who looks to stop the ball with his right hand. However, it deflects towards mid off.

98.3

4

FOUR! Brilliant shot! Full and around off this time, Head gets in the position and drives it through mid off for a boundary.

98.2

.

Overpitched and outside off, Head drives it well but Williamson at mid off dives to his right and makes a nice stop.

98.1

.

Starts with a good length ball around off, Head pushes it towards mid off nicely.

Colin de Grandhomme is on now! He was the man who got New Zealand the first wicket on Day 1. Can he get one on Day 2 too? 16-6-24-1 are his figures so far.

97.6

1

Another shortish length, this time Head tucks it wide of short fine leg for a single.

97.5

1

Bouncer again but this time Marnus pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.

97.4

.

Bouncer around off this time, Labuschagne sways away.

97.3

4

FOUR! 17th boundary for Labuschagne. Wagner looking for the slower delivery dishes out a full toss. Labuschagne drives it through mid on firmly and it wins the race against the mid on fielder.

97.2

.

Shortish length around off, Marnus taps it towards the off side of the back foot.

97.1

.

Short ball down the leg side, actually way down the leg side. Labuschagne lets it be.

96.6

1

On the pads, Labuschagne tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

96.5

.

Around off and middle, Labuschagne pushes it towards mid on.

96.4

1

Outside off again and slightly shortish length. Head cuts it to deep point for a single.

96.3

4

FOUR! Good effort but in vain. A shortish length ball outside off, Head cuts it nicely towards deep point. Santner from deep cover hares to his right and makes a sliding attempt to stop the ball. He does so but not cleanly and the ball eventually touches the fence. 50-run stand is up between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.

96.2

1

Shortish ball around off and middle, Labuschagne tucks it towards fine leg. Labuschagne wanted the second but Wagner was quick to get around and stop the second.

96.1

4

FOUR! Shot of the morning so far! Just overpitched from Southee. Labuschagne leans forward and drives it to the long on fence nicely.

95.6

.

On middle, Head tucks it nicely but straight to Latham at short leg.

95.5

.

Behind good length and around off, Head taps it back to the bowler.

95.4

1

Bouncer again but this time Labuschagne goes for the pull and turns it towards deep square leg for a run.

95.3

.

Another one but this one is way too high to make the batsman play. Marnus ducks under it.

95.2

.

Bouncer around off again, Labuschagne sways away from it nicely.

95.1

.

Sharp bouncer! But no close in fielder on the off side. A silly point could've made things interesting. Back of a length ball around off, Labuschagne hops and blocks towards point uppishly.

94.6

.

Full and just around off, Head drives it to mid off firmly.

94.5

.

Full and around off and middle. Head pushes it towards mid on.

94.4

.

Full and around off, Head looks to drive but manages to hit it off the toe end of the bat towards cover.

94.3

.

Around off, Head pushes it towards mid-wicket.

94.2

.

In the channel outside off, Head makes a leave.

94.1

4

FOUR! Nicely done! Another ball on the pads, this time Head guides it towards the fine leg fence nicely. Had there been a leg gully, Head would've been on his way.

93.6

.

Outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

93.5

1

Another shortish length ball on middle and leg, Head looks to tuck it towards fine leg but cannot make the connection right. The ball goes to left of the short leg fielder for a single.

93.4

.

Bouncer and around off, Head hops and keeps it out nicely.

A switch of fielders. Jeet Raval, who was at leg gully, swaps positions with the man at deep mid-wicket. There is a short leg in place as well, so expect plenty of short stuff.

93.3

.

Back of a length ball down the leg side. Head looks to tickle it fine but misses. Was not too far from tickling the gloves there.

93.2

.

On middle, Head strokes it straight to mid on.

93.1

1

Good length ball around middle, Labuschagne looks to defend but it goes towards leg gully off the inner half. A late call for the single there. The fielder gets to the ball and fires a throw at the non-striker's end but misses. Direct hit could've been interesting.

92.6

1

Full and on middle, Labuschagne drives it wide of mid on for a single.

92.5

4

FOUR! First one of the day! Overpitched and outside off, Labuschagne leans into the drive and creams it through covers for a boundary.

92.4

3

Nicely punched! Slightly shortish length outside off, Head goes on the back foot and punches it through cover and point. Nicholls and Wagner go after the ball. Nicholls slides in and flicks the ball towards Wagner who return is back to the keeper. Three runs taken.

92.3

.

Beautifully bowled but equally well played by Head. Southee pitches it outside off and makes it come back in sharply. Head gets his bat down in time to defend it out.

92.2

1

Back of a length ball on middle, Labuschagne rides the bounce and pulls it by rolling the wrists. The ball goes behind square leg for a single.

92.1

.

In the channel outside off again, Labuschagne lets it be.

91.6

.

Outside off, it is left alone.

91.5

.

Around off, Head comes forward and keeps it out.

91.4

3

Not from the middle of the bat but three runs and it brings 250 up for Australia. Fuller length and outside off, Marnus goes for the drive but manages a thick outside edge which goes through point for three.

91.3

.

Double bluff? Wagner dishes a good length ball outside off, Labuschagne lets it be.

A change in the field. Wagner is switching to around the wicket and perhaps is targetting the short ball. He has a chat with skipper Williamson and sends mid-wicket back to the fence. Moves point as well, to the place where short mid-wicket was.

91.2

1

Full and wide outside off. Head unlike Labuschagne wants to feel the ball as he drives and picks a single towards wide of mid off. Australia are underway for the day.

91.1

.

Wagner starts with a fuller length ball on off for the left-hander. Head pushes it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner it will be from the other end. 22-4-52-2 so far. A real workhorse this lad is. Took a stunning caught and bowled and kept on running in the whole day.

90.6

.

Misses the line this time does Southee as he sprays down the leg side. Labuschagne misses his flick too.

90.5

.

Another good leave. This one probably on the length too. In the channel again, it just comes in but not enough to strike on the pads. Goes straight to the keeper.

90.4

.

Closer to off pole again, just behind good length. Labuschagne has his timbers covered as he lets it go the keeper.

90.3

.

Outside off again and on a good length. Labuschagne is not going after these this early as he shoulders arms.

90.2

.

This time he gets closer to the off pole. Labuschagne comes forward and blocks it out solidly.

90.1

.

Southee starts with a ball in the channel outside off and on a good length. Labuschagne lets it be, in his own style.

We are all set for the day to begin. Labuschagne and Head are ready to go out onto the field, standing at the ropes. Head just has a feel of the Aussie flag with his left hand and from behind, comes Labuschagne. They both have a chat and now, Head goes out. Labuschagne, on the other hand, waits, does some situps, mutters some words to himself and follows his partner. Now, the Kiwis follow suit. The first 20-30 minutes will be very crucial. Tim Southee will start off proceedings to Labuschagne. Two slips in place. 20-4-53-1 so far. Here we go!

And now, finally about New Zealand. They bowled their hearts out, on a track which had nothing much to offer with the exception of Lockie Ferguson. He seemed to go only for pace and lacked direction and control. HE HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF BOWLING IN THIS TEST, which makes the responsibility on the other bowlers even greater. The second new ball is just 10 overs old, so they would want to strike early. Southee managed to get some swing last night but was that more due to the conditions? We shall know in some time.

Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne - the present and the future for Australia. Almost like a master and his apprentice at work. They grinded and grinded and grinded the Kiwis amidst a 132-run stand which consumed almost 50 overs. That is close to 2 sessions. Steven Smith looked out of sorts but Labuschagne looked like a man in total control. He left the balls well, had good compact defense and also attacked the odd bad ball. Towards the end, he started to counter-attack as well and hence, his wicket would be very crucial for the Black Caps this afternoon.

In a day-night Test match, the pink ball barely swings in the afternoon and that is what exactly happened. The Kiwis struggled to generate consistent swing for long but then quickly adjusted to bowling accurate lines and lengths. Australia, on the other hand, found it tough to get going as the ball did not quite come onto the bat. But they too, did well to curb their attacking instincts and ensured that there was no collapse as such.

A day of the South Africans it was in the Australian city of Perth. Klerksdorp-born Marnus Labuschagne and Pretoria-born Neil Wagner called the shots on Thursday as Australia and New Zealand battled it out on a day of attrition. A day of old-age traditional Test cricket where there was good contest between bat and ball. New Zealand did not give an inch while Australia fought hard. In a day of frustration for both teams, no one came out clearly on top and that promises an exciting second day's play. Hello and a warm welcome.

... DAY 2 ...

The day has belonged to centurion Marnus Labuschagne but the match right now is tantalisingly close. The middle order of Australia has not been tested for large parts of the last series against Pakistan and New Zealand would be looking to make early inroads on Day 2. We hope for another exciting day of cricket on Friday. Do join us at 1300 Local (0500 GMT). Till then, cheers and take care!

Marnus Labuschagne on his way to the pavilion stops for an interview. He says that it was difficult in the initial phase of the innings. Mentions that the pitch is tricky to bat on and it feels good to score and bat well. He also adds that the team is in a strong position after the end of the day's play. The conditions are hot and tiring. On being asked about his achievement of becoming the joint 4th fastest Australian batsman to score 1000 Test runs, Labuschagne says that he was not aware about that record but is happy with his performance.

Wagner has certainly got to be the pick of the bowlers as he took potentially the most dangerous wickets of David Warner and Steven Smith. Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme also chipped in with one wicket each but a major concern for New Zealand will be that they are now one bowler short as Lockie Ferguson had gone off with a calf strain and further updates on him will be provided on the morning of Day 2.

The day started with a steady partnership between Joe Burns and David Warner. The bowling from the New Zealanders was disciplined and it reaped rewards as Joe Burns departed for just 9 runs. Warner looked confident in his innings of 43 runs but was dismissed in spectacular fashion by Wagner as he took a very good low catch off his own bowling. Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then formed a 132-run stand and took the hosts to comfortable shores before Smith departed. However, the day belonged to Marnus Labuschagne who made batting look easy on a very tricky pitch where even Steven Smith struggled to find his rhythm. He will be looking to carry on from his knock of 110 runs on Day 2 and give his team a healthy advantage.

So, that will be it from Day 1 of the first Test match. It has been the day of Marnus Labuschagne who is unbeaten after scoring a ton. Australia end Day 1 on 248/4. The Australian pair of Head and Labuschagne trudge off the pitch with their heads held high and overall a decent day for the hosts.

89.6

.

Good length ball outside off, Head looks to defend at first but takes his bat away at the last moment. With that, it is STUMPS ON DAY 1.

89.5

2

Fullish ball on middle and leg, Travis works it through mid-wicket and takes a couple.

89.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Head blocks it out.

89.3

1

JUST! Short ball outside off, Labuschagne plays the upper cut but does not realize that there is a fielder placed there just for that. Luckily for Marnus, the ball fell just short of Ross Taylor at third man. This though, is brilliant captaincy from Kane Williamson.

89.2

.

Good length ball on middle, Labuschagne defends it to mid-wicket.

89.1

.

Full delivery on off, Marnus blocks it back to Wagner.

88.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Head defends it out to cover.

88.5

4

FOUR! Nicely played! Southee goes full yet again on off, Head creams the drive between cover and mid off and into the fence. Second boundary of the over.

88.4

.

BEATEN! Beautiful! Good length ball outside off, Head attempts to defend it but misses it completely. There was a bit of noise but Snicko shows that there was no bat on it.

88.3

4

FOUR! SHOT! Full delivery outside off, Head leans forward and drills the drive through covers and into the fence. Wagner puts a terrifc run in an attempt to clean it up but fails to do so.

88.2

1

Good length ball on middle, Marnus whips it to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

88.1

.

BEATEN! Southee has been excellent since they have taken the new ball. Good length ball outside off swinging away, Labuschagne looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball whizzes past the bat and into the mitts of the keeper.

87.6

.

Slower full delivery outside off, Travis picks it and pushes it to mid off.

87.5

.

BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle stump, Head ducks under it.

87.4

.

Short ball down the leg side, Head does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper.

87.3

.

Full delivery outside off, Head drives it to cover where the fielder dives to stop the ball.

87.2

.

Full delivery on middle, Head defends it out.

87.1

.

BEATEN! Beautiful bowling! Good length delivery outside off, Head looks to defend it but fails to make any connection with it.

86.6

1

Full delivery on middle, Travis whips it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

86.5

.

Full delivery way outside off, Head lets the ball go to the keeper.

86.4

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

86.3

.

Good length ball on off, Travis defends it off the back foot towards cover.

86.2

4

FOUR! Just over! Short ball outside off, Head slashes at it and it goes just over the gully fielder and into the fence.

86.1

.

Good length ball outside off, Head looks to defend at first but then makes a good decison to leave that one. That took off after pitching and almost kissed the edge.

85.6

1

Full delivery outside off, Head attempts to drive but it goes off the inside edge to deep square leg. Head keeps the strike with a single.

85.5

.

Good length ball on middle and leg, Head whips it to mid-wicket.

85.4

.

Outside off, Head lets it go to the keeper.

85.3

.

Full delivery on off, Head pushes it to cover for nothing.

85.2

1

Good length ball on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and picks up a single.

85.1

.

Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner is back on. 19-3-47-2 are his figures so far.

84.6

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full delivery outside off, Head creams the drive through covers for a boundary. He gets off the mark as well with that one.

84.5

.

On off, defended out.

84.4

.

Full delivery on off, Head drives it to mid off.

84.3

.

Full delivery outside off swinging in, Head makes a good leave.

84.2

.

The batsman works it down the leg side.

84.1

.

OHH! A huge shout for LBW! Good length ball on middle and leg, Head looks to shuffle and flick it but misses to get hit on the pads. Southee appeals but Aleem Dar, the umpire, shakes his head. Southee is seen asking his captain, Kane Williamson, whether it is too high. The Hawk Eye rolls in and it shows that it was going over the stumps. Good call not to review the decision.

83.6

.

Outside off, left alone by Marnus.

83.5

.

Full delivery outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

83.4

.

Fullish ball on middle, Marnus drives it but de Grandhomme jumps up and collects it.

83.3

.

On middle, defended back to the bowler.

83.2

.

Good length delivery outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

83.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it out onto the pitch.

82.6

.

On a length on off, Head punches this off the back foot to cover.

82.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Travis pushes it to mid on.

82.4

.

Full delivery outside off which holds its line, Head first looks to defend it but decides to let the ball go to the keeper.

82.3

.

Good length ball on middle, Head guides it to point.

82.2

.

Full delivery on off, Head pushes it to mid off.

Travis Head is the new man in. He needs to arrest the Aussie slide.

82.1

W

OUT! TIMBER! The new ball does the trick! This is brilliant bowling from Southee but also a bad decision by Wade. Good length delivery on off, swinging in, Wade misreads the movement on it and decides to leave the ball. The ball goes on to hit the top of the off pole and the Kiwi players are ecstatic. Two quick wickets for New Zealand, one before Drinks and one after. Can they pick up more wickets before end of the day's play or will Australia hold on?

81.6

.

Full delivery outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it and lets it go to BJ Watling.

81.5

.

Fullish delivery outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone again.

81.4

.

Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

81.3

1

Full delivery on off, Wade drives it straight to mid off and picks up a single.

81.2

.

On a length on middle, Matthew blocks it out.

81.2

1nb

NO BALL! Colin de Grandhomme has overstepped here. Full delivery on middle, Wade defends it back to the bowler.

81.1

.

Starts with a good length delivery outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme is back on! 14-5-22-1 are his figures so far.

80.6

.

On a good length on middle, Marnus defends it out.

80.5

.

Outside off, Labuschagne does not bother to play at that.

80.4

1

Length delivery on off, Wade plays it towards the off side. The batsmen take a single.

80.3

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Wade looks to drive but misses it due to the away movement on this one.

80.2

.

Outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one. There is swing on offer with the second new ball.

80.1

.

On a good length on middle, Wade flicks it to mid-wicket.

80 overs have been bowled by the Kiwis and the second new ball is due. And yes, it has been taken straightaway. Tim Southee to test Wade with the strawberry.

79.6

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Marnus defends it off the back foot.

79.5

.

Floated delivery on off, Labuschagne drives it to mid off.

79.4

3

Short delivery on off, Wade makes room and punches it through point. The fielder chases it, slides and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

79.3

.

Full delivery on off, Wade drives it to covers.

79.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Wade offers a forward defense on this one.

79.1

4

FOUR! Excellent shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Wade sweeps it over square leg for a boundary.

78.6

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Labuschagne looks to flick but misses it.

78.5

.

On a good length on middle, Marnus defends it out.

78.4

2

IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Short delivery outside off, Labuschagne looks to guide it over the third man region but does not time it properly. It just about goes over the fielder at short third man who tries to jump and get a hand to it but fails. The batsmen get two runs.

78.3

.

Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to square leg.

78.2

.

On a good length on middle, Marnus nudges it towards the leg side.

78.1

.

Bowls a bouncer outside off, Marnus ducks under it.

78.1

1wd

WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Labuschagne does well to duck under it. The umpire gives it wide for height.

77.6

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Wade pushes it to cover.

77.5

.

Flatter delivery on middle, Wade flicks it to mid-wicket for nothing.

77.4

1

On off, Labuschagne pushes it to long on and takes a single.

77.3

.

Short delivery outside off, Marnus pushes it to cover.

77.2

.

Another flat delivery on middle, Labuschagne comes down the track and defends it back to the bowler.

77.1

.

Flatter delivery on off, Marnus defends it back to the bowler.

76.6

2

Full delivery on the pads, Wade flicks it to square leg and picks up a couple. Could have been close had there been a better throw from the fielder at square leg.

76.5

.

Short delivery outside off, Wade sways away from it.

76.4

.

Slower full delivery on off, Wade sees it early and digs it out onto the pitch.

76.3

.

Bouncer around middle, Wade ducks under it.

76.2

.

Good length ball around off, Wade looks to flick it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Wagner appeals but nothing doing says the umpire.

76.1

.

Full delivery on off, Wade defends it to the off side.

Drinks! It has been a good hour after the Tea break for the Aussies as Labuschagne got to his ton but the wicket of Steven Smith just before the Drinks break has given the Kiwis a window of opportunity to come back strongly. If they are able to take the wicket of Labuschagne now, they can put some real pressure on the hosts. The middle order of Australia will finally be tested but with Lockie Ferguson off with a calf injury, they have at least one less thing to worry about.

75.6

.

Tossed up ball on off, Marnus drives it to cover for nothing.

75.5

.

Floated ball on off, Marnus pushes this to cover.

75.4

.

On middle, blocked.

75.3

1

Loopy ball on middle, Wade plays the paddle sweep to fine leg and gets off the mark with that single.

75.2

.

Floated ball outside off, Wade lets the ball go to the keeper.

75.1

1

Flighted ball outside off, Marnus pushes it to cover and takes a single.

74.6

.

Bouncer on off, Wade does not fiddle with it.

74.5

.

Length ball outside off, left alone by Wade.

74.4

.

Almost another one goes down! Fullish ball outside off by Wagner, Wade goes for a drive on the first ball. He edges it towards Ross Taylor at first slip but the ball falls just short of him and hits Taylor on the knee. Warning early on for Matthew Wade.

Matthew Wade is the new man in.

74.3

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Steven Smith departs and luckily for Latham, his dropped catch does not cost the Kiwis much. Another bouncer bowled on middle and leg by Wagner, Smith this time does not duck and plays the hook shot. He mistimes it a touch and the ball goes straight to Tim Southee near short backward square leg. Smith has to depart and the 132-run stand has been broken. Now it is a chance for the Kiwis to test the under-question Australian middle order. Will they be up for the task?

74.2

.

Bouncer on middle and leg, Smith ducks under it.

74.1

1

On the pads of Marnus, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for one.

73.6

.

OHH! Flatter delivery around off, Smith looks to defend it but misses it to get hit on the pads. Santner and the rest put in a huge appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. The Kiwis do not even think of a review.

73.5

.

It's been driven superbly through the covers.

73.4

.

Flighted ball outside off, Smith looks to drive it but misses it due to some spin on it. Ross Taylor catches it at first slip but there was no bat on it.

73.3

1

Floated ball on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

73.2

6

SIX! THIRD CONSECUTIVE CENTURY! What an innings from Labuschagne. He has made some giant strides in Test cricket since he replaced Steven Smith in the Ashes as the concussion substitute. He gets there by lofting this tossed up ball on middle over the long on region for a maximum. Can he convert this to a double now?

73.1

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover.

72.6

.

Short ball down the leg side, Smith does not fiddle with it and lets it go past him.

72.5

.

Back of a length delivery on middle, Smith whips it to square leg.

72.4

.

Short ball down the leg side, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

72.3

.

BOUNCER! Smith once again ducks under it.

72.2

.

Wagner bowls a bouncer around off, Steven Smith ducks under it.

72.1

1

Short ball on the leg stump line, Marnus pulls it to deep square leg and picks up a single.

71.6

.

On off, driven to mid off.

71.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it to mid on for nothing.

71.4

.

Finally we see some spin!! Santner flights this one up around off with a bit of spin and bounce, Steven comes forward to defend it but fails to put any bat on it.

71.3

.

Fullish on off, pushed to cover.

71.2

.

On middle, defended back to the bowler.

71.1

.

Floated ball outside off, Smith drives this to cover.

70.6

4

FOUR! Pulled away! Short delivery on middle, Labuschagne rocks on his back foot and hammers the pull to deep square leg for a boundary.

70.5

2

Good length delivery on middle and leg, Marnus whips it to deep square leg and picks up a couple. 1000 runs for Marnus Labuschagne in Test cricket. Moves into the 90s as well.

70.4

.

Good length ball on middle, Marnus defends it back to the bowler.

70.3

.

On a length on off, Marnus guides it to point.

70.2

4

FOUR! How did he find this gap? Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Labuschagne runs it down between the second and third slip fielders into the fence.

70.1

.

Full delivery on off, Marnus defends it to mid off.

Neil Wagner has a change of ends.

69.6

.

Loopy ball on off, Smith drives it to cover.

69.5

2

Flatter delivery on off, Smith works this away towards mid-wicket and picks up a couple.

69.4

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

69.3

1

Full delivery on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and takes a single.

69.2

.

Another flat one outside off, ML guides it to point.

69.1

2

Flatter delivery outside off, Labuschagne looks to play the cut but seeing the ball was a little wide, he waits and runs it down to third man for a couple.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. 14-2-43-0 are his figures.

This is bad, bad news for New Zealand. Black Caps have just tweeted that Lockie Ferguson is off the field with a suspected right calf strain sustained while bowling in the second session. He is about to go for an MRI scan and will be reassessed in the morning. A bowler down in this heat, that too, this early in the series, is no good at all for the Kiwis.

68.6

.

Full delivery on off, Smith defends it out to mid off.

68.5

.

Good length delivery outside off, Steven does not fiddle with it yet again and lets the ball go to the keeper.

68.4

.

Outside off, left alone.

68.3

.

On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

68.2

1

Full delivery outside off, Marnus drives this to covers and picks up a single.

68.1

.

OHH! Good length ball on middle, Marnus looks to defend it but misses it completely. It hits Marnus flush on the pads. Southee puts in a huge appeal but nothing from the umpire. The Kiwis think of a review but decide against it. The replays roll in and Hot Spot shows that there was a bit of an inside edge on that one. Excellent umpiring from Aleem Dar.

67.6

.

Short ball outside off, Labuschagne ducks under it.

67.5

.

On off, defended out by Smith to mid off.

67.4

.

On a length on off, Smith defends it to the off side off the back foot.

67.3

.

Fullish ball outside off, Smith shoulders arms.

67.2

.

Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith defends it to mid on.

67.1

.

Full delivery outside off, Steven Smith does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone.

Neil Wagner is back into the attack. 13-2-30-1 are his figures so far.

66.6

.

Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

66.5

4

FOUR! Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! Southee goes full on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to deep mid-wicket and picks up his 12th boundary of the innings.

66.4

.

On a length outside off, Marnus leaves it alone.

66.3

.

Fullish delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket.

66.2

.

Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne leaves the ball alone.

66.1

.

Full delivery outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee is back into the attack. 13-3-29-0, his figures so far.

65.6

.

Flighted ball outside off, Steven blocks it to cover.

65.5

.

On middle, defended.

65.4

.

Fullish ball outside off, Steven pushes it to cover.

65.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it straight but Santner makes a good stop to his right.

65.2

.

Floated ball on off, Smith defends it to cover.

65.1

.

Flatter delivery outside off, Smith shoulders arms to this one.

64.6

.

Outside off, left alone.

64.5

.

Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

64.4

.

Full delivery on off, Labuschagne drives this to mid off for nothing.

64.3

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

64.2

.

On a length on middle, ML defends it back to the bowler.

64.1

4

FOUR! A rare bad ball. De Grandhomme drifts this one down the leg side, Labuschagne just flicks this one to fine leg for a boundary. 100-run stand up between the two. It has taken some time but it has been an excellent one after they lost two quick wickets.

63.6

.

Full delivery on middle, defended back to the bowler.

63.5

.

Santner tosses this one up on off, Smith is solid in defense.

63.4

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Flighted ball outside off, Smith leans forward and drives it through the extra cover region for a boundary.

63.3

1

Floated ball outside off, Labuschagne drives it towards cover and picks up a single.

63.2

.

Loopy ball on off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover.

63.1

.

Flatter delivery on off, Marnus plays it onto the pitch.

62.6

.

Outside off, left alone.

62.5

.

Good length ball on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

62.4

.

Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

62.3

.

Just outside off again, left alone.

62.2

.

Another length ball outside off, Smith blocks it.

62.1

.

Length ball outside off, left alone.

61.6

1

Fullish ball on middle, Smith drives it to mid on and takes a single. Colin de Grandhomme has a shy at the bowler's end and hits but Smith was well in.

61.5

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

61.4

.

Floated on off, Smith pushes it back to the bowler.

61.3

1

Fullish delivery on off, Marnus pushes it to mid off and takes a single.

61.2

3

Flatter delivery on the pads, Smith whips it to backward square leg and takes three. The fielder hares across and cleans it up.

61.1

.

Floated delivery on off, Smith lunges and defends it to cover.

60.6

.

Good length ball way outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper. Just 1 run off the last 3 overs. Kiwis tightening the screws on the Aussies.

60.5

.

On off, pushed towards cover.

60.4

.

Full delivery outside off, Marnus drives it to cover for nothing.

60.3

.

Good length ball outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to it.

60.2

.

Full on middle, driven to mid on.

60.1

.

Good length ball on off, Labuschagne defends it to cover.

59.6

.

Flighted ball on off, Smith pushes this past the diving Santner to mid off. No run.

59.5

.

Flatter one outside off, Steven lets it go to the keeper.

59.4

.

On middle, defended back to the bowler.

59.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith blocks it back to the bowler.

59.2

.

Flatter delivery on off, Smith pushes it to covers.

59.1

1

Full delivery on off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover and takes a single.

Tom Latham has been moved to short leg.

58.6

.

Better from Smith! Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it to mid on for nothing.

58.5

.

OHH! Why are you playing these kind of shots, Smith? Full delivery way outside off, Steven goes for an extravagant drive but misses it completely. Could have left that ball alone.

58.4

.

On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

58.3

.

Outside off, left alone by Smith.

58.2

.

Fullish delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

58.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Smith pushes it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to partner Santner from the other end.

57.6

1

Flatter delivery on middle, Smith works it to the leg side and takes a single.

57.5

1

Full delivery on off, Labuschagne drives it to mid off and takes a single.

57.4

.

Flat one on off, Marnus whips it away to mid-wicket.

57.3

1

Flatter delivery on middle, Smith works it to square leg and takes a single.

57.2

.

Loopy ball on off, Smith prods forward and blocks it to cover.

57.1

.

Starts with a flighted ball on middle and leg, Smith defends it back to the bowler.

The final session of Day 1 is all set to begin! Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith come out to resume their partnership with Mitchell Santner starting the proceedings for the Kiwis. Can the Kiwis get some quick wickets?

... Day 1, Session 3 ...

The Kiwis were good with the ball. They bowled with discipline but have been unable to find a wicket. Lockie Ferguson was denied a wicket as Tom Latham dropped a catch at second slip of Steven Smith. The Kiwis need to pick up some quick wickets and try to restrict the hosts to a low score, otherwise these two can take the game away from them. Will New Zealand fight back or will the hosts continue to churn out runs? Join us in a while to find out.

Labuschagne is happy with his knock as he feels it is very hard to score with the ball not coming on to the bat. Adds that his aim was only to bat watchfully and not throw his wicket away, adding as much as he possibly can to the team's cause.

A sedate session but an excellent one for Australia. They have not lost a wicket in this session with Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith going strong and have kept the visitors at bay. The former has gone onto score his fifty while Steven Smith, after a fidgety start to his innings, has started to get going in the latter stages of the session with some lovely shots. The hosts would be hoping that these two can continue after the break and get them to a good score.

56.6

2

Aggressive way to finish the session as Raval floats one outside off and Smith comes down the track. He drives it powerfully towards the cover region and takes a couple as the man at sweeper cover cuts it off. That will be TEA ON DAY 1!

56.5

1

Shortish delivery way wide outside off, Smith works it towards point and takes an easy single.

56.4

.

Loopy delivery on middle, driven towards mid on.

56.3

1

On the leg side, Labuschagne flicks it towards mid-wicket for one.

56.2

.

Floated on off, driven towards mid off.

56.1

1

Starts with a shortish delivery on middle, worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Surprising, Williamson has brought Jeet Raval into the attack.

55.6

.

On the hips of Marnus, he looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

55.5

1

Smith goes back deep in his crease and works it wide of cover for one.

55.4

4

FOUR! Smith in full flow! Flatter delivery on middle and leg, Smith comes down the ground and flicks this one beautifully in the gap between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

55.3

.

Tossed up outside off, left alone.

55.2

2

On the leg side, Smith works it towards backward square leg for a quick couple.

55.1

.

Floated on middle, Smith prods forward and defends.

54.6

.

Length ball outside off, Labuschagne works this one towards point.

54.5

.

Full ball on middle and leg, driven towards the mid on region.

54.4

.

On middle and off, defended by Marnus.

54.3

.

Length ball on off, defended from within the crease.

54.2

4

FOUR! Pulled away! Back of a length ball on middle, Labuschagne rocks back and pulls this towards the mid-wicket region. Raval there dives to his left but the ball is way wide of him and the ball races away to the fence.

54.1

1

On the pads, worked towards the square leg region for one.

53.6

.

The batsman drives this to cover.

53.5

.

Floated on off, pushed towards cover.

53.4

2

Fullish ball outside off, Labuschagne creams the drive through covers and picks up a couple before Williamson can hare after it and clean it up.

53.3

1

Loopy ball on middle, Smith drives it straight down the ground. Santner gets a hand on it, hits the umpire and rolls to the off side. The batters pick up a single.

53.2

.

Very full delivery on off, Smith drives it to covers for nothing.

53.1

.

Floated on off, Smith blocks it out.

52.6

1

DROPPED! Latham is the culprit and Steven Smith has been given a life out of all people. Length ball wide outside off, Smith goes for a wild slash at it but only manages to get a thick outside edge. The ball goes to the left of second slip where Latham is positioned. He gets his left hand to it but the ball does not stick and goes behind the slip cordon. The batters steal a run. Ferguson has been denied his first international Test wicket. How costly will this prove to be for the Kiwis?

52.5

.

Good length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler. The man at mid off collects it.

52.4

.

Good bouncer by Ferguson, Smith sways away from it.

52.3

3

On the hips of Labuschagne, he flicks this one towards deep square leg and takes a quick three.

52.2

.

Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot.

Lockie Ferguson is back with a change of ends.

52.1

.

Length ball on middle, pushed down towards mid on.

51.6

.

Shortish on off, Smith goes back and pushes it towards the cover region.

51.5

.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Smith pushes this one towards the right of the bowler.

51.4

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

51.3

.

Floated on middle, defended back towards the bowler.

51.2

2

Loose delivery by Santner, down the leg side. Smith just nudges it fine down the leg side for a couple.

51.1

.

Floated on middle, Smith stylishly flicks this one towards the mid-wicket region but Nicholls there does well as he dives to his left to collect the ball.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. His figures are 6-1-17-0.

50.6

.

Full ball on middle, Marnus again drives this one back past the bowler but the man at mid off this time cuts it off.

50.5

.

Full ball again, this time driven towards mid on.

50.4

4

FOUR! One of the shots of the day by Labuschagne and runs starting to flow now. Overpitched by Southee, Labuschagne leans forward and drives this one down the ground for a boundary. Straight as an arrow!

50.3

.

The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

50.2

.

Length ball outside off, a slash from Labuschagne and he is well beaten as the ball whizzes past his outside edge.

50.1

.

Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

49.6

.

Full ball outside off, Smith jams it out towards the point region.

49.5

1

On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.

49.4

.

Full ball on middle and off this time, Marnus pushes it back towards the bowler. The man from mid off jogs to his left and collects it.

49.3

.

Another one outside off, left alone.

49.2

.

Length ball outside off, swinging in. Labuschagne leaves it alone.

49.1

4

FOUR! What a shot to get to your half ton! Bouncer way outside off, Labuschagne gets high on his toes and upper cuts it over the slip cordon and into the third man fence. A crucial knock at a crucial time from Labuschagne.

48.6

.

Bouncer this time outside off, Smith chooses to leave it alone.

48.5

.

Way wide outside off, swinging even further away. Smith leaves it alone.

48.4

1

On the pads, Labuschagne works this one towards the mid-wicket region for a single. This brings up the 50-run stand between Smith and Labuschagne. Both of these batters are looking strong in the middle and will be aiming to go big now.

48.3

.

On off this time, Labuschagne powers it to the man at mid off.

48.2

.

Good length ball on off, driven towards mid on.

48.1

.

Length ball on middle, Labuschagne shuffles and looks to work this one towards the leg side but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batters opt against the run.

The umpires have gone for a run out check for Marnus Labuschagne. He looks well in. Let's see what the replays have to show.

47.6

1

NOT OUT! Labuschagne was a little lazy in getting his bat down in time but gets in safely. Full delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to mid-wicket and takes off for a single. Nicholls throws it to the bowler's end and hits. Labuschagne tumbles while getting inside the crease but looks well in. The umpire refers to the third umpire to check and the replays show that Labuschagne has made it inside the crease.

47.5

.

Very full delivery on middle and leg, Labuschagne pushes it to mid off.

47.4

.

Fullish ball in the channel outside off, Marnus makes a leave to the keeper.

47.3

1

On a length on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and takes a single.

47.2

.

Fullish delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

47.1

.

Back of a length delivery on off, Smith defends it out off the back foot to cover.

Lockie Ferguson is back into the attack. 7-1-31-0 are his figures so far.

46.6

.

Length ball way outside off, Labuschagne goes chasing after it. He swings his bat at it but misses the ball completely.

46.5

.

Another length ball, this time on the leg side. Labuschagne does well to defend it.

46.4

.

A bit fuller this time, Labuschagne comes on the front foot and defends.

46.3

.

Length ball on middle and off, defended by Marnus.

46.2

.

This time a much stronger appeal but again nothing from the umpire. Length ball on middle and off, Labuschagne looks to prod forward and defend but misses to get hit high on the pad again. Southee and the Kiwi players appeal but the umpire is again unmoved. Southee asks Williamson about taking the review but the skipper feels it is way too high. Replays roll in and show that Williamson was right as the ball would be missing the stumps by a huge margin.

46.1

.

Length ball around middle and leg, Labuschagne looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pad. Southee puts in a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved. New Zealand do not mull over taking the review. Replays and Ball Tracker show that the ball was going above the middle stump.

45.6

.

Smith prods forward and pushes this one towards cover.

45.5

.

Smith goes back in his crease and defends it towards the off side.

45.4

.

Floated ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.

45.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

45.2

4

FOUR! Beautiful from Smith! Floated ball right near the foot of Smith, he whips it through the narrow gap between short mid-wicket and mid on and the ball races away to the fence.

45.1

.

Shortish ball just outside off, pushed towards point.

44.6

.

Another one way outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. 8 runs off the over.

44.5

4

FOUR! Cracking shot! Length ball outside off, Labuschagne rocks back and cuts this one through backward point for a boundary.

This is a very important part of the session, day, inning, match and perhaps the series for New Zealand. They have worked so hard post Lunch, not picking up wickets but building up sustained pressure. They would not want to give it away through frustration by bowling inconsistent lines. If these two get off the hook, this will slip away pretty quickly.

44.4

1

On the leg side again, this time Steven works it fine for a single.

44.3

.

Good length ball outside off, pushed towards cover.

44.2

.

Length ball outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

44.1

3

Back of a length ball on the hips, Labuschagne goes back and pulls it towards deep square leg for three.

Tim Southee returns. 9-2-16-0 so far.

43.6

.

Landed outside off, well - what is that? A NORMAL LEAVE FROM SMITH! Rare, very rare. Lunges and then shoulders arms.

43.5

.

Full and outside off, defended from the crease.

43.4

.

On middle and off, tucked through mid-wicket.

43.3

.

Around off, defended watchfully.

43.2

.

On middle, flicked towards short leg.

43.1

.

Tossed up wide outside off, Smith leans and drives it towards short cover.

DRINKS BREAK. A boring hour but a testing one for the batsmen. The Kiwis have been disciplined, keeping the batters under check and giving nothing away. Just 34 runs in 16 overs since Lunch. But Smith and Labuschagne have done well too, not throwing it away. Yet. But Smith has shown signs of frustration with the ball not quite coming onto the bat.

42.6

.

Well outside off, left alone.

42.5

.

Full and outside off, Marnus drives this straight back as an arrow but de Grandhomme does well to get his hand down to deflect it towards mid off.

42.4

4

FOUR! Slightly wrong in line and punished. Full and down the leg side, Labuschagne tickles it to the fine leg fence.

42.3

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

42.2

.

Very full outside off, dug out towards cover.

42.1

.

Full and outside off, left alone.

41.6

.

Flatter and on off, Smith punches to covers off the back foot.

41.5

.

Flatter on off, defended back to the bowler.

41.4

.

Full and outside off, defended towards covers.

41.3

1

Flatter and on the pads, Marnus nudges it towards square leg for a run.

41.2

.

Tossed up around off, defended to the leg side.

41.1

.

Floated outside off, Marnus drives it to mid off.

Mitchell Santner is back on. 3-0-12-0 so far.

40.6

.

Good length ball outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper in his trademark style.

40.5

.

Outside off, left alone.

40.4

.

Good length ball on middle, Smith defends it back to de Grandhomme.

40.3

4

FOUR! Poor ball! Good length ball on the pads, Smith just helps it on its way with an angled bat to the fine leg region for a boundary.

40.2

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it back to the bowler.

40.1

.

Full delivery outside off, very rarely you see Smith play a rash shot. This time he loses his shape but still manages to play a drive to a ball which he could have left alone. The ball rolls to mid off.

Interesting observation from Mark 'Junior' Waugh. The former batsman says that Smith has not looked at his absolute ease today. He has been checking his shots a lot. Waugh draws an inference that perhaps, the pitch is on the slower side and the ball is not coming onto the bat that easily.

39.6

.

Labuschagne defends this good length ball on off to mid off.

39.5

.

Good length ball in the channel outside off, ML does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone.

39.4

1

Back of a length delivery on off, Smith guides it to gully and takes a single.

39.3

.

BOUNCER! Wagner bowls this around middle stump, Smith does well to duck under it.

39.2

.

Fullish delivery outside off, Smith drives it to mid off and shouts a loud wait on.

39.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith whips it to mid-wicket.

38.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Marnus plays it to mid-wicket.

38.5

1

Back of a length ball on middle, Smith tucks it to the leg side and takes a single. 100 up for Australia.

38.4

.

On a length outside off, Steven lets the ball go to the keeper.

38.3

.

Very full delivery on off, Smith solidly defends it back to the bowler.

38.2

.

Fullish ball on middle, Smith drives it to mid on.

38.1

1

Full delivery on middle, Marnus looks to flick it but it goes off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg. The batters pick up a single.

37.6

.

Good length ball on off, Smith punches it to cover for nothing.

37.5

.

Wagner bowls a full ball in the channel outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

37.4

1

Short delivery outside off, Labuschagne cuts it to deep cover and picks up a single.

37.3

.

Fullish delivery outside off, Marnus drives it but finds the cover fielder who collects it on a bounce.

37.2

.

Wagner bowls a full one on off, Marnus blocks it towards mid off.

37.1

.

Full delivery way outside off, it is too wide to make Labuschagne play at it as he lets the ball go to the keeper.

36.6

.

Full ball on off, Smith solidly defends it this time to mid off.

36.5

.

BEATEN! Full delivery outside off tailing away a bit, Smith looks to block it but misses it.

36.4

.

On off, defended out.

36.3

.

Smith pushes this full delivery back to the bowler.

36.2

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith tucks it to mid-wicket.

36.1

.

Good length ball outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

35.6

.

Driven towards the mid on region.

35.5

.

A knuckle ball, extremely full, almost a yorker bowled at 111.9 kph, on middle stump. Marnus does really well to block it out.

35.4

.

Another full delivery outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one.

35.3

.

Fullish ball outside the off stump line, Marnus does not feel the need to play at it and leaves it alone.

35.2

1

Short ball on middle, Steven rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

35.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith flicks it to mid-wicket for nothing.

34.6

.

Good length ball on off, Labuschagne blocks it out to the off side.

34.5

4

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne prods forward and creams the drive past the diving short cover fielder and into the fence. Two fielders hare after it but fail to chase it down.

34.4

.

Full delivery outside off swinging away, Labuschagne does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper.

34.3

.

On a length outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

34.2

.

Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper.

34.1

.

Beautiful piece of bowling! De Grandhomme starts with a good length ball outside off, Marnus looks to defend it but fails to make any connection to it.

Colin de Grandhomme is back into the attack. 5-1-4-1 are his figures so far. So the policy from Williamson is pretty clear. Use Ferguson in short, sharp bursts. If he doesn't come off, replace him with someone else.

33.6

.

Short ball down the leg side, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

33.5

.

Outside off, left alone.

33.4

.

Short of a length delivery on off which kept rising, Smith hops and looks to block but is beaten by pace. The ball goes off his gloves towards point. Time for a short leg perhaps?

33.3

.

BOUNCER! It is bowled above off stump, Smith ducks under it.

33.2

.

On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

33.1

1

Good length ball on middle, Marnus defends it to point and takes a single. Wagner appeals but for what? It has gone off the bat clearly.

32.6

.

Back of a length outside off, Smith defends it to gully.

32.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith whips it away nicely to mid-wicket but Raval over there dives to his left and stops the ball. He has a shy at the keeper's end but misses it. It would not have mattered as Smith was well in.

32.4

.

On a length on middle, Smith blocks it out.

32.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

32.2

.

BEATEN! What was the noise? Back of a length delivery outside off, Smith looks to defend it but misses the ball completely. There was some noise as the ball went past the bat. Wonder what it was. Well, you cannot blame Smith on playing that shot. It looked like he was playing well away from his body but the natural angle of Ferguson gets the ball into the right-hander. Which is why Smith looked to play at that. But on this occasion, Lockie got it to move away.

32.1

.

Short ball on middle, Smith defends it off the back foot.

31.6

.

Wagner bowls a full delivery on middle, Marnus pushes it to point where Southee tumbles to stop the ball.

31.5

1

Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith tucks it to square leg and takes a single.

31.4

.

Full delivery outside off tempting Smith for the drive. Steven obliges and drives it but finds the cover fielder.

31.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith is solid in his defense. Wagner slips in his followthrough but luckily does not do any damage.

31.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Smith blocks it to the off side.

31.1

.

Fullish delivery tailing in on middle, Smith defends it back towards mid off.

30.6

.

Short ball on middle, Marnus stands tall and defends it onto the pitch.

30.5

1

Another full one on middle, Steven flicks it to deep square leg and picks up a single.

30.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Smith plays it back to the bowler.

30.3

.

Outside off, left alone by Smith.

30.2

.

On a length on off, Smith defends it to mid off.

30.1

.

Good length ball down the leg side, Smith looks to flick it but misses it. Jofra Archer tried it during the Ashes, Ferguson maybe is trying to do the same thing and get him out in that fashion.

29.6

4

FOUR! Ahhhh... shouts of catch it but it is in the gap. Wagner bowls a length delivery outside off, Labuschagne slashes this through gully and luckily for him, it evades the man at gully and races into the fence.

29.5

.

Marnus defends this good length ball on off to the off side.

29.4

.

BEATEN! Beautiful bowling this from Wagner! Good length ball in the channel outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge of the bat and into the mitts of the keeper.

29.3

1

Fullish ball on middle and leg, Steven whips it away to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

29.2

.

Good length on middle and leg, Smith tucks it to square leg.

29.1

.

Very full delivery on off, Smith defends it out to mid off.

28.6

.

On a length outside off, ML lets it go to the keeper.

28.5

.

Good length ball outside off, Marnus makes another good leave.

28.4

4

FOUR! Poor ball this. Loose full toss on middle, Labuschagne is too good a player to miss out on these. He plays it straight down the ground for a boundary. Kane Williamson hares after it from mid on but does not reach on time.

28.3

.

Fullish ball outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to it.

28.2

.

Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone.

28.1

.

Full delivery outside off at 140.8 kph, Marnus leaves it alone.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl from the other end. 4-0-26-0 are his figures so far.

27.6

.

Good length delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

27.5

.

Good length ball down the leg side, Smith flicks it to leg gully for nothing. The fielder there dives to stop the ball. This was a ploy employed by Joe Root throughout the Ashes for Smith. In his final innings of that series, he got out at that position, attempting the flick.

27.4

.

On a length outside off, Steven shoulders arms to this one.

27.3

3

A half volley from Wagner outside off, Labuschagne lunges forward and creams the drive through the covers. They pick up three.

27.2

1

Good length ball on the leg stump line, Smith works it towards square leg and gets the first run of the session. Smith gets off the mark as well. The fielders from point and cover give a chase and cut it off.

27.1

.

Wagner starts with a loose full toss outside off, Smith does not make use of it as he just pushes this down to mid off.

We are back for the second session! Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith walk out to the middle to resume their innings after the break. Neil Wagner will start the proceedings for the visitors with Smith taking strike.

... Day 1, Session 2 ...

Now, for people following Australian cricket. The last Day-Night Test in this country was in Adelaide but there the breaks scheduled were Tea and Dinner. Because the start time was 2 pm local. However, here in Perth, the match has started at 1 pm, so it will be Lunch. Join us back at 3.40 pm local (0740 GMT).

Nothing much is happening off the wicket but there is swing on offer. Credit to New Zealand for not bowling badly. We saw in the Australia-Pakistan series that if the Aussies saw off a small period, the bowling used to get inconsistent and frustrated. Nothing of that sort with the Kiwis. This looks a flat bed but rest assured, they will make the Aussies earn every run on this deck.

Well! So it was not a one-sided session after all. It seemed to go Australia's way but at crucial moments, New Zealand struck, making the session even. Joe Burns might consider himself unlucky, adjudged LBW but Ball Tracker showing the ball to be missing leg while Warner will also feel a bit unlucky, falling to a superb catch.

26.6

.

Good length and outside off, Marnus defends it to the off side to see off the session. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 1!

26.5

.

Labuschagne drives this fuller one down the ground but Southee fields it in his followthrough.

26.4

.

Marnus shoulders arms to this length ball outside off for the keeper.

26.3

.

Length and outside off, Marnus leaves it.

26.2

.

Good length and on off, Marnus defends it towards covers.

26.1

.

Good length and around off, left alone by Marnus, the clone of Smith.

26.1

1wd

WIDE! BOUNCER! Southee goes way too short. Folks, this is Perth where the ball bounces higher than most of the cricket grounds in the world. This time Southee bends his back and makes the ball kick up from the surface. It bounces way too high over the batsman and the keeper too collects it with a high jump. The umpire calls it a wide.

25.6

.

A bouncer, around leg, Steven gets across and ducks. Very good over from Wagner, getting Warner.

25.5

.

Good start. Full and around off, swinging in, Smith pushes it back towards the bowler.

Who is in? The man who was shadow practicing in the dressing room moments ago. Steven Smith. Just 5 minutes left for Lunch. Can New Zealand get him out cheaply?

25.4

W

OUT! Stunning caught and bowled! Neil Wagner, you beauty. Low full toss, outside off, Warner looks to push it back. However, he cannot keep it down. It is not that high either. Just about goes inches above the ground to Wagner and what does the fast bowler do? Gets low, sticks out his right hand and voila! It sticks! Warner initially hangs around, wanting a confirmation but Wagner claims his catch and the umpires get together. It appears as if it is going to be referred upstairs but nope, Warner is happy with Wagner's confirmation and looks like Aleem Dar has signalled to Nigel Llong that Wagner plucked it inches above the ground. Stunning, absolutely stunning.

That is a stunner from Wagner! But Warner is not going anywhere. The umpires check it upstairs but NOW, Warner is walking off. Seems like he has taken Wagner's word and yes, the replays confirm that it is a spectacular catch. Bravo, Wagner!

25.3

.

Hmmm... tempting line. Full and outside off, Warner thinks about leaving it but at the last moment, wants to play. Does so with soft hands and under-edges it behind.

25.2

.

A fine ball, outside off, almost a yorker, dug out to the off side.

25.1

.

Good start. Full and around off, really good shape away from the left-hander, Warner pushes it towards mid off.

Looks like Steven Smith is bored. He gets up in the dressing room, puts on his gloves and starts shadow practicing. Neil Wagner returns. 5-1-16-0 so far. 10 minutes to go to Lunch.

24.6

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

24.5

1

Would have been close there had Lockie Ferguson fielded there. Southee bowls one on the middle and leg stump line and Marnus drives it towards mid on. He immediately calls for a single. Lockie at mid on is alert there as he hares towards the ball but takes his eyes off the ball and misfields. In the end the batsmen make their respective grounds.

24.4

.

Length and on off, Marnus defends it back to the bowler.

24.3

.

Three leaves in a row. Marnus leaves this length ball outside off once again for the keeper.

24.2

.

Another length ball outside off, Marnus leaves it by imitating Steven Smith.

24.1

.

Length and outside off, Marnus is in no mood to play at it.

23.6

1

Tossed up on off, Marnus drives it through mid off for a run.

23.5

4

FOUR! Floated wide outside off, allowing Marnus to open his arms. He obliges by driving it through covers. The quick outfield does the rest as the ball races to the fence in no time.

23.4

.

Flatter and on the pads, Marnus tucks it to short leg.

23.3

.

Full and around off, Marnus defends it to covers.

23.2

.

Flighted one on off, defended to the off side.

23.1

1

Tossed up on off, Warner pushes it to long on for a run.

CRICKET UPDATE - Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, rain has taken centrestage in the historic first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Play began this morning with the Lankans' score reading 202/5 but in less than 8 overs, the overcast skies opened up and what began as a drizzle has turned into very heavy rain. It is Lunch on Day 2, with Sri Lanka stationed at 222/5. They won the toss on Wednesday.

22.6

.

Outside off, defended solidly towards short cover.

22.5

1

Full and outside off, Warner drives it through point for a single.

22.4

.

Once again Warner looks to flick this length ball off his pads but fails to lay bat on ball.

22.3

.

Full and on the pads, Warner flicks it but to the man at mid-wicket.

22.2

.

Good length and outside off, Warner defends it off the outside half of his bat to the off side.

22.1

.

Length delivery around off, Warner defends it off the front foot to the off side.

21.6

.

Tossed up around off, Marnus is happy to defend it.

21.5

.

Flighted one around off, Marnus blocks it off the front foot.

21.4

1

Flatter one outside off, Warner gets it off the outside half of his bat towards point for a run.

21.3

.

Tossed up on off, Warner tucks it to short leg.

21.2

.

Tossed up around off, Warner blocks it off the front foot.

21.1

.

Once again starts the over with a bad delivery as he sprays one down the leg side and once again Warner looks to go for the sweep but misses it.

20.6

.

Outside off, Marnus leaves it for the keeper to take it.

20.5

.

Labuschagne defends this length ball off the front foot towards the leg side.

20.4

.

Good length and outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it.

20.3

.

Length and going down the leg side. Marnus looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses it.

20.2

.

Length and around off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

20.1

1

On a length outside off, Warner pushes it through the covers for a single.

Tim Southee is back on. 5-2-11-0 so far. New Zealand would love to get another wicket before the break. Roughly 30 minutes to go.

19.6

.

Tossed up on off, driven to mid on.

19.5

1

Flatter one on off, Warner drives it through mid on for a run.

19.4

.

Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot to the off side.

19.3

4

FOUR! EDGED AWAY! Fractionally short outside off, Warner looks to cut but there is extra bounce on this one. That induces an outside edge but it flies well wide of first slip to the third man fence.

19.2

.

Tossed up and on off, Warner defends it to the off side.

19.1

2b

A rank bad ball to start. Santner sprays one down the leg side and Warner looks to sweep it towards fine leg but misses. The batsmen take a couple. The umpire signals it as byes.

Spin time. Mitchell Santner into the attack.

18.6

.

Full and around off, driven towards mid on.

18.5

.

Another leave outside off.

18.4

.

Outside off, left alone.

Warner seems to be having some issues with the sightscreen. Points it out to Aleem Dar.

18.3

1

Full and outside off, Warner drives it through the covers but Mitchell Santner dives at short extra to take some sting off the ball. It goes slowly towards sweeper cover but Henry Nicholls charges in to ensure that the batsmen are restricted to a single.

18.2

.

Around off, watchfully defended again.

18.1

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

17.6

4

FOUR! This time Marnus is successful in finding the gap. Wagner overpitches it and Labuschagne brings out the straightest of bats as he drives it through mid off. Kane Williamson is not too wide there and runs across to his right, putting in a dive as well but fails to get to the ball. The ball races to the long off fence.

17.5

.

Length and outside off, Marnus lets it be.

17.4

.

Beautifully stroked but straight to the man. Marnus plays a free-flowing drive but finds mid off to perfection.

17.3

1

Length and on the pads, Warner tucks it towards the leg side and hares to the other end quickly.

17.2

.

Length and on middle, Warner defends it to mid on.

17.1

.

Full and outside off, Warner defends it off the outside half of his bat towards gully.

16.6

.

Good length and outside off, Labuschagne lets it be.

16.5

.

Another full length ball on off, Marnus drives it to short cover.

16.4

.

Full and around off, Marnus defends it to short cover.

16.3

.

Outside off, left alone.

16.2

1

Fuller and around off, Warner drives it through covers for a single. Initially calls for a couple but has to settle for one as the fielder is quick to get to the ball.

16.1

.

Length and on off, defended off the front foot.

15.6

.

BEATEN! Length and in that channel outside off, Marnus looks to defend it but the ball goes past the outside edge and into the mitts of the keeper.

15.5

2

Fuller once again and Marnus drives it through cover-point for a brace.

15.4

.

Fuller in length and around off, this time makes Labuschagne play as he defends it towards mid off.

Wagner is rubbing his shoes. Probably trying to remove the dirt off the spikes.

15.3

.

Another one wide outside off, Marnus is leaving it in a weird fashion.

15.2

.

Length and outside off, Marnus leaves it alone.

15.1

.

There is that pull-leave again. Full and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms and then pulls, with the ball nowhere near the bat.

14.6

.

Good length and outside off, Warner defends it to covers.

14.5

.

Length and around off, defended back to the bowler once again.

14.5

1nb

NO BALL. CdG has overstepped here. He bowls a yorker outside off, Warner defends it back to the bowler.

14.4

.

Full and around off, Warner drives it to mid off.

14.3

.

Length and outside off, left alone by Warner.

14.2

.

Full and around off, Warner defends it straight to the man at covers.

14.1

.

Full and outside off, Warner drives it back to the bowler.

13.6

2

Short and on middle, Marnus pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a brace.

13.5

.

Good length and outside off, Labuschagne does a Smithesque action as he leaves again. How? Walking across, shouldering arms and then playing the horizontal pull through air, before the ball can even get to him.

13.4

.

Length and wide of off, Marnus leaves it just like Smith does.

13.3

3

Full and on the pads, Warner flicks it through mid-wicket but the fielder gets across from deep square leg and stops it in front of the ropes. The batsmen take a comfortable three.

13.2

1

Length and on the pads, Marnus works it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

13.1

1

Short and on middle and leg, Warner pulls it through fine leg for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! Well, that has come out of nowhere. Not the Drinks break, but the wicket. The Aussie openers were looking unperturbed apart from the one-odd ball here and there but Colin has struck at the opportune time. It seemed like the session was having one-way traffic but things might change now. Marnus Labuschagne is the new batsman in.

12.6

W

OUT! LBW! Well, 29 out of Colin de Grandhomme's 38 Test wickets have been top 6 batsmen. Make that 30 out of 39. Kane Williamson's policy to go to his gun bowler, or well dibbly-dobbly, if you like, has paid rich dividends. That is the strength of CdG. People take him lightly and he punches you above his weight. His strength is accuracy and he keeps the balls pretty straight. No different here. Fuller in length, hint of inswing, Burns plays a lazy flick shot and misses it. Cannot do that. However slow the ball might be. Is pinged on the pads flush in front and Colin starts to celebrate, then appeals. Umpire Aleem Dar takes his time but then raises his finger. Burns walks towards his partner, has a discussion about the review but Warner is not too hopeful. Here comes Ball Tracker. MISSING LEG STUMP! Well, well, well. Tim Paine or no Tim Paine, reviews are not Australia's forte. The solid-looking stand is broken.

12.5

1

On a length on middle, Warner tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

12.4

.

Good length delivery outside off, Warner lets it go.

12.3

.

Outside off, Warner leaves it alone.

12.2

.

On a good length on off, David defends it off the front foot.

12.1

.

Outside off, Warner offers no shot to this one.

11.6

.

On a good length on middle, Burns looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

11.5

.

Full delivery on off, Burns drives it towards mid off.

11.4

.

Outside off, Joe shoulders arms to this one.

11.3

1

Full again on middle, Warner drives it towards mid on for a run.

11.2

.

IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Full and around off, Warner drives it uppishly towards cover. The ball almost carries towards short extra cover where the fielder gets across but the ball lands just in front.

11.1

1

Full delivery on middle, Burns flicks it towards mid-wicket where Colin de Grandhomme tries to stop it but loses his balance and slips. The batsmen manage to take a single.

10.6

.

Outside off, Warner lets it go.

10.5

.

Full delivery on off, Warner drives it to short covers where the fielder does well to stop it with a dive.

10.4

.

On a good length on off, David defends it out.

10.3

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Warner looks to flick but misses it.

10.2

.

Good length delivery on off, David defends it off the front foot.

10.1

.

On a good length on off, Warner plays it to covers.

Double bowling change. Colin de Grandhomme into the attack.

9.6

.

Huge shout for LBW! Turned down. No shot offered. So impact does not matter. Worth a review? The Kiwis don't think so. A length ball, around off, Burns gets across and then shoulders arms, expecting the ball to go away with the angle. But the ball comes in and hits the batsman on the pads. Wagner appeals but the umpire turns it down. Ball Tracker shows it to be going past the off stump on angle and height.

9.5

.

On a good length on off, Burns defends it off the front foot.

9.4

.

Full again outside off, Joe drives it to mid off again.

9.3

.

Fuller length on off, Burns drives it to mid off.

9.2

.

On a good length on off, Burns defends it off the back foot.

9.1

.

Full delivery on middle, Burns plays it back towards the bowler.

First bowling change of the day. Neil Wagner into the attack.

8.6

.

On a good length on off, David defends it out.

8.5

.

Good length delivery outside off, Warner does not bother to play at that.

8.4

.

On a good length on off, Warner keeps it out.

8.3

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, a touch wide, Warner reaches out and drives it through point for a boundary.

8.2

.

Outside off, Warner offers no shot to this one.

8.1

.

Full delivery on off, David plays it to covers.

What happened there? Southee was ready to fire in but Warner backed away at the last moment. The ball was fired just over the stumps but dead ball is signalled.

7.6

1

On a length on off, Warner plays it towards covers. The batsmen cross ends.

7.5

3

Full delivery outside off, Burns drives it through covers. Kane Williamson chases it from short extra and does well to stop it with a slide. The batsmen get three runs.

7.4

.

Outside off, Burns shoulders arms to this one.

7.3

.

Bowls a bouncer, Burns does well to duck under it.

7.2

1

Length delivery on middle, Warner nudges it towards fine leg for a single.

7.1

4

FOUR! WHACK! Full and outside off, a touch wide, Warner leans and drives it uppishly. Not a soul between mid off and gully and the ball races to the fence.

6.6

.

On a length outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

6.5

.

Full and outside off, left alone.

6.4

.

Landed outside off, dabbed towards gully.

6.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

6.2

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

6.1

.

Watch it! A length ball, around off, Burns defends it back to the bowler. However, Southee fields and fires it back at the batsman who is hit on the body! Burns looks back, expecting an apology but Tim walks back!

Some repairing work going on around the bowler's landing area.

5.6

4

FOUR! ELEGANT! Full and outside off, Warner leans and drives it through the covers!

5.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

5.4

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

5.3

.

A short ball, around off, watchfully defended.

5.2

2

On middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a couple. That went off the inner half.

5.1

.

Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

4.6

.

Another yorker, around off, dug out towards mid on but Southee himself gets across to stop it.

4.5

.

Full and outside off, pushed towards the off side.

4.4

.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

4.3

.

That is a jaffa. And that is the line and length to bowl on this pitch. The Glenn McGrath-Josh Hazlewood line and length. It is just inside the corridor of uncertainty, pitching just outside off. This means Burns has to play. But then, the ball moves away off the deck and beats the outside edge.

4.2

.

Full and just around off, watchfully defended.

4.1

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

3.6

1

EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY! Full and outside off, JB pushes at it but with soft hands. Hence the ball does not carry to Tom Latham at second slip. However, he is not able to stop it cleanly and it bursts through. A single taken. 10 from the over.

3.5

.

Around off, solidly defended.

3.4

.

That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad.

3.3

4

FOUR! Burns gets off the mark. Half volley, on the pads, easy pickings and he does not miss out. Flicks it through square leg.

3.2

.

That is a top nut. On a length outside off, Joe looks to defend but the ball snakes back in, squares him up, goes between bat and pad and almost flies past the stumps again to the fence. But Watling dives to his left and makes a terrific stop.

3.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

3.1

5wd

FIVE WIDES! Fast but too short. Clearly, Lockie is just looking to rattle the Aussies. But he is slightly struggling with his line at the moment. This is a bouncer but the line is well outside leg. Burns does not even need to duck while Watling has no time to even try and attempt a dive to his left. Would not have mattered. It flew over his head to the fine leg fence.

2.6

4

FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Good cricket all around. A half volley wide outside off, Warner leans and drives it through the covers. At first glance, it seems like it will race away to the fence. But never assume when a Kiwi is playing. Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner chase it in pairs from cover and mid off with the former getting to the ball first. He dives, pulls the ball back in and parries it to Santner who returns the throw. But the batsmen run all four!

Square leg going back on the boundary. New Zealand tinkering early.

2.5

.

Excellent ball. Something different from the previous ones. A fine yorker, around middle, well dug out.

2.4

.

Miles outside off, on a length, let through once again.

2.3

.

Full and straight, watchfully defended.

2.2

.

A length ball, around off, swinging in, David looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.

2.1

2

Excellent batting. There are two men - one at short mid-wicket and one at a very shortish mid on, almost near silly mid on. But Warner works this between them and gets a couple. Terrific precision and placement.

1.6

.

Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.

1.5

.

Outside off, left alone.

The players are wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to the victims of the White Island volcano which erupted on Monday. Still, tourists and locals are believed to be stranded there.

1.4

.

There you go, that is the line. Full and outside off, that tempts Joe to drive and he feels for it. Misses.

1.3

.

Closer than the previous one, but left alone once again.

1.2

.

Fast. Really fast. Full and outside off, 144.3 kph. But pretty wide. Left alone.

1.1

1

A nervous start, probably aiming for extra pace, targetting to tuck Warner up. But it is a bit too straight, around middle and leg and David just helps it through square leg for a single.

Who will it be from the other end? Lockie Ferguson? You bet! Boy, that snarling look. This is gonna be exciting.

0.6

.

Full and outside off, tempting JB to drive but he lets it be. A tight opener from Southee, which saw plenty of swing with the new strawberry.

0.5

.

Right on the money is Southee, not giving anything away, landing this one full and around off, watchfully bunted down the track.

0.4

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

0.3

.

More outswing, outside off, Joe leans and drives it straight to cover.

0.2

.

Full and outside off, swinging away, Burns looks to defend with the outswing through gully. The fielder dives to his right to stop.

0.1

1

Warner and Australia are underway. Full and outside off, David taps it towards cover and pinches a quick single.

The players walk out to the middle. Joe Burns and David Warner are the openers for Australia. Tim Southee to start off proceedings to Warner. Here we go, get the firecrackers bursting! Just a reminder, this is a Day/Night Test. So the pink ball it will be, to begin.

Kane Williamson honestly says that he would have liked to bat as well, simply because of the pitch and conditions. Looking at the watering on the pitch, he expected some sideways movement. Hopes that his bowlers set the tone right from the first ball. Agrees that Trent Boult is not quite fit and Lockie Ferguson makes his Test debut, hoping that the speedster enjoys his outing.

Tim Paine reckons that the wicket is very good and the conditions are pretty hot. Also adds that given the fact that Australia bowled last in the previous series, they would not want to bowl again immediately. Hopes with the hot weather around, the pitch cracks up. Is happy to have some consistency in his playing XI and is looking forward to play the second best Test team in the world.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson(C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Lockie Ferguson (DEBUT). The big news is that TRENT BOULT IS UNFIT. How will that ail New Zealand? On the other hand, Lockie Ferguson has been handed a much-awaited debut. His pace on this pacy wicket. Should be fun.

Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine(C and WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood. This was announced yesterday evening itself so the faith is shown by the selectors. But just a question to ponder. With so much cricket going around, shouldn't the fast bowlers be rotated?

TOSS - The spin of the coin has gone Tim Paine's way. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO BAT FIRST.

What about Australia though? Aren't they under a heavy schedule themselves? Post the World Cup, it was the Ashes. Then Sri Lanka. Followed by Pakistan. But in terms of competition, they have barely got anything post the Ashes. This series will definitely test two things - 1. Australia's dominance at home. 2. New Zealand's travelling skills.

It is a gruelling package for the Kiwis, first touring Sri Lanka, then hosting England, now coming to Australia and then playing hosts to India a month later. And the pressure of continuous cricket is taking a toll on the players, as very seldom do they play so much cricket in a year, let alone continuously. The fitness of Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme and Trent Boult is a concern and a last-minute decision will be taken on them today.

Woohoo! The most anticipated Test series of the year. Well, perhaps a bit more after the NZ-Eng one. But the rivalry between the neighbours across the Oceania probably tips this series over that one. Yes, it is Australia versus New Zealand in a 3-match Test series. The first one begins in Perth at the new stadium. Hello and a warm welcome.

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1st Test, Perth, December 12, 2019, 10:30 AM

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