| 0.0 : 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| TOSS - The spin of the coin has gone Tim Paine's way. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO BAT FIRST. |
| 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? |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 0.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Warner and Australia are underway. Full and outside off, David taps it towards cover and pinches a quick single. |
| 0.2 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and outside off, swinging away, Burns looks to defend with the outswing through gully. The fielder dives to his right to stop. |
| 0.3 : Tim Southee to Burns, More outswing, outside off, Joe leans and drives it straight to cover. |
| 0.4 : Tim Southee to Burns, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 0.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Right on the money is Southee, not giving anything away, landing this one full and around off, watchfully bunted down the track. |
| 0.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| Who will it be from the other end? Lockie Ferguson? You bet! Boy, that snarling look. This is gonna be exciting. |
| 1.1 : L Ferguson to Warner, 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. |
| 1.2 : L Ferguson to Burns, Fast. Really fast. Full and outside off, 144.3 kph. But pretty wide. Left alone. |
| 1.3 : L Ferguson to Burns, Closer than the previous one, but left alone once again. |
| 1.4 : L Ferguson to Burns, There you go, that is the line. Full and outside off, that tempts Joe to drive and he feels for it. Misses. |
| 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. |
| 1.5 : L Ferguson to Burns, Outside off, left alone. |
| 1.6 : L Ferguson to Burns, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 2.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 2.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, A length ball, around off, swinging in, David looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 2.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 2.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, Miles outside off, on a length, let through once again. |
| 2.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, Excellent ball. Something different from the previous ones. A fine yorker, around middle, well dug out. |
| Square leg going back on the boundary. New Zealand tinkering early. |
| 2.6 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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! |
| 3.1 : L Ferguson to Burns, 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. |
| L Ferguson to Burns, Outside off, left alone. |
| 3.2 : L Ferguson to Burns, 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. |
| 3.3 : L Ferguson to Burns, FOUR! Burns gets off the mark. Half volley, on the pads, easy pickings and he does not miss out. Flicks it through square leg. |
| 3.4 : L Ferguson to Burns, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. |
| 3.5 : L Ferguson to Burns, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 3.6 : L Ferguson to Joe Burns, 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. |
| 4.1 : Tim Southee to Burns, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 4.2 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and just around off, watchfully defended. |
| 4.3 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| 4.4 : Tim Southee to Burns, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 4.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and outside off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 4.6 : Southee to Burns, Another yorker, around off, dug out towards mid on but Southee himself gets across to stop it. |
| 5.1 : L Ferguson to Warner, Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 5.2 : L Ferguson to Warner, On middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a couple. That went off the inner half. |
| 5.3 : L Ferguson to Warner, A short ball, around off, watchfully defended. |
| 5.4 : L Ferguson to Warner, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 5.5 : L Ferguson to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 5.6 : L Ferguson to Warner, FOUR! ELEGANT! Full and outside off, Warner leans and drives it through the covers! |
| Some repairing work going on around the bowler's landing area. |
| 6.1 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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! |
| 6.2 : Tim Southee to Burns, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 6.3 : Tim Southee to Burns, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 6.4 : Tim Southee to Burns, Landed outside off, dabbed towards gully. |
| 6.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 6.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, On a length outside off, Burns shoulders arms. |
| 7.1 : L Ferguson to Warner, 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. |
| 7.2 : L Ferguson to Warner, Length delivery on middle, Warner nudges it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 7.3 : L Ferguson to Burns, Bowls a bouncer, Burns does well to duck under it. |
| 7.4 : L Ferguson to Burns, Outside off, Burns shoulders arms to this one. |
| 7.5 : L Ferguson to Burns, 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. |
| 7.6 : L Ferguson to Warner, On a length on off, Warner plays it towards covers. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 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. |
| 8.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Full delivery on off, David plays it to covers. |
| 8.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Outside off, Warner offers no shot to this one. |
| 8.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, a touch wide, Warner reaches out and drives it through point for a boundary. |
| 8.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, On a good length on off, Warner keeps it out. |
| 8.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length delivery outside off, Warner does not bother to play at that. |
| 8.6 : Tim Southee to Warner, On a good length on off, David defends it out. |
| First bowling change of the day. Neil Wagner into the attack. |
| 9.1 : N Wagner to Burns, Full delivery on middle, Burns plays it back towards the bowler. |
| 9.2 : N Wagner to Burns, On a good length on off, Burns defends it off the back foot. |
| 9.3 : N Wagner to Burns, Fuller length on off, Burns drives it to mid off. |
| 9.4 : N Wagner to Joe Burns, Full again outside off, Joe drives it to mid off again. |
| 9.5 : N Wagner to Burns, On a good length on off, Burns defends it off the front foot. |
| 9.6 : N Wagner to Burns, 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. |
| Double bowling change. Colin de Grandhomme into the attack. |
| 10.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, On a good length on off, Warner plays it to covers. |
| 10.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Good length delivery on off, David defends it off the front foot. |
| 10.3 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Bowls it down the leg side, Warner looks to flick but misses it. |
| 10.4 : de Grandhomme to Warner, On a good length on off, David defends it out. |
| 10.5 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Full delivery on off, Warner drives it to short covers where the fielder does well to stop it with a dive. |
| 10.6 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Outside off, Warner lets it go. |
| 11.1 : N Wagner to Burns, 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. |
| 11.2 : N Wagner to Warner, 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. |
| 11.3 : N Wagner to Warner, Full again on middle, Warner drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| 11.4 : N Wagner to Burns, Outside off, Joe shoulders arms to this one. |
| 11.5 : N Wagner to Burns, Full delivery on off, Burns drives it towards mid off. |
| 11.6 : N Wagner to Joe Burns, On a good length on middle, Burns looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 12.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Outside off, Warner offers no shot to this one. |
| 12.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, On a good length on off, David defends it off the front foot. |
| 12.3 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Outside off, Warner leaves it alone. |
| 12.4 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Good length delivery outside off, Warner lets it go. |
| 12.5 : de Grandhomme to Warner, On a length on middle, Warner tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.6 : Grandhomme to Burns, 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 |
| 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. |
| 13.1 : N Wagner to Warner, Short and on middle and leg, Warner pulls it through fine leg for a single. |
| 13.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Length and on the pads, Marnus works it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a single. |
| 13.3 : N Wagner to Warner, 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. |
| 13.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Length and wide of off, Marnus leaves it just like Smith does. |
| 13.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 13.6 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, Short and on middle, Marnus pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a brace. |
| 14.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Full and outside off, Warner drives it back to the bowler. |
| 14.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Full and around off, Warner defends it straight to the man at covers. |
| 14.3 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Length and outside off, left alone by Warner. |
| 14.4 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Full and around off, Warner drives it to mid off. |
| 14.5 : de Grandhomme to Warner, NO BALL. CdG has overstepped here. He bowls a yorker outside off, Warner defends it back to the bowler. |
| de Grandhomme to Warner, Length and around off, defended back to the bowler once again. |
| 14.6 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Good length and outside off, Warner defends it to covers. |
| 15.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, There is that pull-leave again. Full and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms and then pulls, with the ball nowhere near the bat. |
| 15.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Length and outside off, Marnus leaves it alone. |
| 15.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Another one wide outside off, Marnus is leaving it in a weird fashion. |
| Wagner is rubbing his shoes. Probably trying to remove the dirt off the spikes. |
| 15.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Fuller in length and around off, this time makes Labuschagne play as he defends it towards mid off. |
| 15.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Fuller once again and Marnus drives it through cover-point for a brace. |
| 15.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 16.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Length and on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 16.2 : de Grandhomme to D Warner, 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. |
| 16.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 16.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full and around off, Marnus defends it to short cover. |
| 16.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Another full length ball on off, Marnus drives it to short cover. |
| 16.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length and outside off, Labuschagne lets it be. |
| 17.1 : N Wagner to D Warner, Full and outside off, Warner defends it off the outside half of his bat towards gully. |
| 17.2 : N Wagner to Warner, Length and on middle, Warner defends it to mid on. |
| 17.3 : N Wagner to Warner, Length and on the pads, Warner tucks it towards the leg side and hares to the other end quickly. |
| 17.4 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, Beautifully stroked but straight to the man. Marnus plays a free-flowing drive but finds mid off to perfection. |
| 17.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Length and outside off, Marnus lets it be. |
| 17.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 18.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 18.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Around off, watchfully defended again. |
| 18.3 : de Grandhomme to D Warner, 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. |
| Warner seems to be having some issues with the sightscreen. Points it out to Aleem Dar. |
| 18.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 18.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Another leave outside off. |
| 18.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full and around off, driven towards mid on. |
| Spin time. Mitchell Santner into the attack. |
| 19.1 : M Santner to Warner, 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. |
| 19.2 : M Santner to Warner, Tossed up and on off, Warner defends it to the off side. |
| 19.3 : M Santner to Warner, 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. |
| 19.4 : M Santner to Warner, Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 19.5 : M Santner to Warner, Flatter one on off, Warner drives it through mid on for a run. |
| 19.6 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Tossed up on off, driven to mid on. |
| 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. |
| 20.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, On a length outside off, Warner pushes it through the covers for a single. |
| 20.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length and around off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one. |
| 20.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length and going down the leg side. Marnus looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses it. |
| 20.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length and outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it. |
| 20.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Labuschagne defends this length ball off the front foot towards the leg side. |
| 20.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Outside off, Marnus leaves it for the keeper to take it. |
| 21.1 : M Santner to Warner, 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. |
| 21.2 : M Santner to Warner, Tossed up around off, Warner blocks it off the front foot. |
| 21.3 : M Santner to Warner, Tossed up on off, Warner tucks it to short leg. |
| 21.4 : M Santner to Warner, Flatter one outside off, Warner gets it off the outside half of his bat towards point for a run. |
| 21.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flighted one around off, Marnus blocks it off the front foot. |
| 21.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Tossed up around off, Marnus is happy to defend it. |
| 22.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Length delivery around off, Warner defends it off the front foot to the off side. |
| 22.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length and outside off, Warner defends it off the outside half of his bat to the off side. |
| 22.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, Full and on the pads, Warner flicks it but to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 22.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, Once again Warner looks to flick this length ball off his pads but fails to lay bat on ball. |
| 22.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, Full and outside off, Warner drives it through point for a single. |
| 22.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Outside off, defended solidly towards short cover. |
| 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. |
| 23.1 : M Santner to Warner, Tossed up on off, Warner pushes it to long on for a run. |
| 23.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flighted one on off, defended to the off side. |
| 23.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Full and around off, Marnus defends it to covers. |
| 23.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter and on the pads, Marnus tucks it to short leg. |
| 23.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 23.6 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Tossed up on off, Marnus drives it through mid off for a run. |
| 24.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length and outside off, Marnus is in no mood to play at it. |
| 24.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Another length ball outside off, Marnus leaves it by imitating Steven Smith. |
| 24.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Three leaves in a row. Marnus leaves this length ball outside off once again for the keeper. |
| 24.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length and on off, Marnus defends it back to the bowler. |
| 24.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 24.6 : Tim Southee to D Warner, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 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. |
| 25.1 : N Wagner to Warner, Good start. Full and around off, really good shape away from the left-hander, Warner pushes it towards mid off. |
| 25.2 : N Wagner to Warner, A fine ball, outside off, almost a yorker, dug out to the off side. |
| 25.3 : N Wagner to Warner, 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. |
| 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! |
| 25.4 : Wagner to Warner, 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 u |
| 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? |
| 25.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Good start. Full and around off, swinging in, Smith pushes it back towards the bowler. |
| 25.6 : N Wagner to Smith, A bouncer, around leg, Steven gets across and ducks. Very good over from Wagner, getting Warner. |
| 26.1 : Tim Southee to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length and around off, left alone by Marnus, the clone of Smith. |
| 26.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length and on off, Marnus defends it towards covers. |
| 26.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length and outside off, Marnus leaves it. |
| 26.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Marnus shoulders arms to this length ball outside off for the keeper. |
| 26.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Labuschagne drives this fuller one down the ground but Southee fields it in his followthrough. |
| 26.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length and outside off, Marnus defends it to the off side to see off the session. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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). |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| 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. |
| 27.1 : N Wagner to S Smith, 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. |
| 27.2 : N Wagner to Smith, 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. |
| 27.3 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, A half volley from Wagner outside off, Labuschagne lunges forward and creams the drive through the covers. They pick up three. |
| 27.4 : N Wagner to Smith, On a length outside off, Steven shoulders arms to this one. |
| 27.5 : N Wagner to Smith, 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. |
| 27.6 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| Lockie Ferguson to bowl from the other end. 4-0-26-0 are his figures so far. |
| 28.1 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off at 140.8 kph, Marnus leaves it alone. |
| 28.2 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone. |
| 28.3 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Fullish ball outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to it. |
| 28.4 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 28.5 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Marnus makes another good leave. |
| 28.6 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, On a length outside off, ML lets it go to the keeper. |
| 29.1 : N Wagner to Smith, Very full delivery on off, Smith defends it out to mid off. |
| 29.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length on middle and leg, Smith tucks it to square leg. |
| 29.3 : N Wagner to Smith, Fullish ball on middle and leg, Steven whips it away to mid-wicket and picks up a single. |
| 29.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 29.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Marnus defends this good length ball on off to the off side. |
| 29.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 30.1 : L Ferguson to Smith, 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. |
| 30.2 : L Ferguson to Smith, On a length on off, Smith defends it to mid off. |
| 30.3 : L Ferguson to Smith, Outside off, left alone by Smith. |
| 30.4 : L Ferguson to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith plays it back to the bowler. |
| 30.5 : L Ferguson to Smith, Another full one on middle, Steven flicks it to deep square leg and picks up a single. |
| 30.6 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Short ball on middle, Marnus stands tall and defends it onto the pitch. |
| 31.1 : N Wagner to Smith, Fullish delivery tailing in on middle, Smith defends it back towards mid off. |
| 31.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length delivery on off, Smith blocks it to the off side. |
| 31.3 : N Wagner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith is solid in his defense. Wagner slips in his followthrough but luckily does not do any damage. |
| 31.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Full delivery outside off tempting Smith for the drive. Steven obliges and drives it but finds the cover fielder. |
| 31.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith tucks it to square leg and takes a single. |
| 31.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Wagner bowls a full delivery on middle, Marnus pushes it to point where Southee tumbles to stop the ball. |
| 32.1 : L Ferguson to Smith, Short ball on middle, Smith defends it off the back foot. |
| 32.2 : L Ferguson to Smith, 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. |
| 32.3 : L Ferguson to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 32.4 : L Ferguson to Smith, On a length on middle, Smith blocks it out. |
| 32.5 : L Ferguson to Smith, 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. |
| 32.6 : L Ferguson to Smith, Back of a length outside off, Smith defends it to gully. |
| 33.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 33.2 : N Wagner to Smith, On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 33.3 : N Wagner to Smith, BOUNCER! It is bowled above off stump, Smith ducks under it. |
| 33.4 : N Wagner to Smith, 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? |
| 33.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 33.6 : N Wagner to Smith, Short ball down the leg side, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 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. |
| 34.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 34.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 34.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, On a length outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one. |
| 34.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off swinging away, Labuschagne does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 34.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 34.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length ball on off, Labuschagne blocks it out to the off side. |
| 35.1 : N Wagner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith flicks it to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 35.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Short ball on middle, Steven rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 35.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Fullish ball outside the off stump line, Marnus does not feel the need to play at it and leaves it alone. |
| 35.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Another full delivery outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one. |
| 35.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, A knuckle ball, extremely full, almost a yorker bowled at 111.9 kph, on middle stump. Marnus does really well to block it out. |
| 35.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Driven towards the mid on region. |
| 36.1 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Good length ball outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 36.2 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Smith pushes this full delivery back to the bowler. |
| 36.4 : de Grandhomme to Smith, On off, defended out. |
| 36.5 : de Grandhomme to Smith, BEATEN! Full delivery outside off tailing away a bit, Smith looks to block it but misses it. |
| 36.6 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Full ball on off, Smith solidly defends it this time to mid off. |
| 37.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Full delivery way outside off, it is too wide to make Labuschagne play at it as he lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 37.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Wagner bowls a full one on off, Marnus blocks it towards mid off. |
| 37.3 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, Fullish delivery outside off, Marnus drives it but finds the cover fielder who collects it on a bounce. |
| 37.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short delivery outside off, Labuschagne cuts it to deep cover and picks up a single. |
| 37.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Wagner bowls a full ball in the channel outside off, Smith leaves it alone. |
| 37.6 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length ball on off, Smith punches it to cover for nothing. |
| 38.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 38.2 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Fullish ball on middle, Smith drives it to mid on. |
| 38.3 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Very full delivery on off, Smith solidly defends it back to the bowler. |
| 38.4 : de Grandhomme to Smith, On a length outside off, Steven lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 38.5 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Back of a length ball on middle, Smith tucks it to the leg side and takes a single. 100 up for Australia. |
| 38.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery on middle, Marnus plays it to mid-wicket. |
| 39.1 : N Wagner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith whips it to mid-wicket. |
| 39.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Fullish delivery outside off, Smith drives it to mid off and shouts a loud wait on. |
| 39.3 : N Wagner to Smith, BOUNCER! Wagner bowls this around middle stump, Smith does well to duck under it. |
| 39.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Back of a length delivery on off, Smith guides it to gully and takes a single. |
| 39.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Good length ball in the channel outside off, ML does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone. |
| 39.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Labuschagne defends this good length ball on off 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. |
| 40.1 : de Grandhomme to S Smith, 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. |
| 40.2 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it back to the bowler. |
| 40.3 : de Grandhomme to Smith, 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. |
| 40.4 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Good length ball on middle, Smith defends it back to de Grandhomme. |
| 40.5 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 40.6 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Good length ball outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper in his trademark style. |
| Mitchell Santner is back on. 3-0-12-0 so far. |
| 41.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Floated outside off, Marnus drives it to mid off. |
| 41.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Tossed up around off, defended to the leg side. |
| 41.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter and on the pads, Marnus nudges it towards square leg for a run. |
| 41.4 : M Santner to Smith, Full and outside off, defended towards covers. |
| 41.5 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter on off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 41.6 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter and on off, Smith punches to covers off the back foot. |
| 42.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 42.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Very full outside off, dug out towards cover. |
| 42.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 42.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, FOUR! Slightly wrong in line and punished. Full and down the leg side, Labuschagne tickles it to the fine leg fence. |
| 42.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 42.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 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. |
| 43.1 : M Santner to Smith, Tossed up wide outside off, Smith leans and drives it towards short cover. |
| 43.2 : M Santner to Smith, On middle, flicked towards short leg. |
| 43.3 : M Santner to Smith, Around off, defended watchfully. |
| 43.4 : M Santner to Smith, On middle and off, tucked through mid-wicket. |
| 43.5 : M Santner to Smith, Full and outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 43.6 : M Santner to Smith, Landed outside off, well - what is that? A NORMAL LEAVE FROM SMITH! Rare, very rare. Lunges and then shoulders arms. |
| Tim Southee returns. 9-2-16-0 so far. |
| 44.1 : Tim Southee to M Labuschagne, Back of a length ball on the hips, Labuschagne goes back and pulls it towards deep square leg for three. |
| 44.2 : Tim Southee to Smith, Length ball outside off, Smith leaves it alone. |
| 44.3 : Tim Southee to Smith, Good length ball outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 44.4 : Tim Southee to Smith, On the leg side again, this time Steven works it fine for a single. |
| 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. |
| 44.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, FOUR! Cracking shot! Length ball outside off, Labuschagne rocks back and cuts this one through backward point for a boundary. |
| 44.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Another one way outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. 8 runs off the over. |
| 45.1 : M Santner to Smith, Shortish ball just outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 45.2 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 45.3 : M Santner to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.4 : M Santner to S Smith, Floated ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off. |
| 45.5 : M Santner to Smith, Smith goes back in his crease and defends it towards the off side. |
| 45.6 : M Santner to Smith, Smith prods forward and pushes this one towards cover. |
| 46.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 46.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 46.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle and off, defended by Marnus. |
| 46.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, A bit fuller this time, Labuschagne comes on the front foot and defends. |
| 46.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Another length ball, this time on the leg side. Labuschagne does well to defend it. |
| 46.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length ball way outside off, Labuschagne goes chasing after it. He swings his bat at it but misses the ball completely. |
| Lockie Ferguson is back into the attack. 7-1-31-0 are his figures so far. |
| 47.1 : L Ferguson to Smith, Back of a length delivery on off, Smith defends it out off the back foot to cover. |
| 47.2 : L Ferguson to Smith, Fullish delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 47.3 : L Ferguson to Smith, On a length on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and takes a single. |
| 47.4 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Fullish ball in the channel outside off, Marnus makes a leave to the keeper. |
| 47.5 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Very full delivery on middle and leg, Labuschagne pushes it to mid off. |
| 47.6 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 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. |
| 48.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 48.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length ball on off, driven towards mid on. |
| 48.3 : Tim Southee to M Labuschagne, On off this time, Labuschagne powers it to the man at mid off. |
| 48.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 48.5 : Tim Southee to Smith, Way wide outside off, swinging even further away. Smith leaves it alone. |
| 48.6 : Tim Southee to Smith, Bouncer this time outside off, Smith chooses to leave it alone. |
| 49.1 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 49.2 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, swinging in. Labuschagne leaves it alone. |
| 49.3 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 49.4 : L Ferguson to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| 49.5 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 49.6 : L Ferguson to Smith, Full ball outside off, Smith jams it out towards the point region. |
| 50.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle and off, defended out. |
| 50.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, a slash from Labuschagne and he is well beaten as the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 50.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 50.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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! |
| 50.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Full ball again, this time driven towards mid on. |
| 50.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Full ball on middle, Marnus again drives this one back past the bowler but the man at mid off this time cuts it off. |
| Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. His figures are 6-1-17-0. |
| 51.1 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 51.2 : M Santner to Smith, Loose delivery by Santner, down the leg side. Smith just nudges it fine down the leg side for a couple. |
| 51.3 : M Santner to Smith, Floated on middle, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 51.4 : M Santner to Smith, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 51.5 : M Santner to Smith, Tossed up on middle and leg, Smith pushes this one towards the right of the bowler. |
| 51.6 : M Santner to Smith, Shortish on off, Smith goes back and pushes it towards the cover region. |
| 52.1 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle, pushed down towards mid on. |
| Lockie Ferguson is back with a change of ends. |
| 52.2 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| 52.3 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, On the hips of Labuschagne, he flicks this one towards deep square leg and takes a quick three. |
| 52.4 : L Ferguson to Smith, Good bouncer by Ferguson, Smith sways away from it. |
| 52.5 : L Ferguson to Smith, Good length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler. The man at mid off collects it. |
| 52.6 : L Ferguson to S Smith, 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 |
| 53.1 : M Santner to Smith, Floated on off, Smith blocks it out. |
| 53.2 : M Santner to S Smith, Very full delivery on off, Smith drives it to covers for nothing. |
| 53.3 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 53.4 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| 53.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Floated on off, pushed towards cover. |
| 53.6 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, The batsman drives this to cover. |
| 54.1 : L Ferguson to Smith, On the pads, worked towards the square leg region for one. |
| 54.2 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 54.3 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Length ball on off, defended from within the crease. |
| 54.4 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, On middle and off, defended by Marnus. |
| 54.5 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Full ball on middle and leg, driven towards the mid on region. |
| 54.6 : L Ferguson to Labuschagne, Length ball outside off, Labuschagne works this one towards point. |
| 55.1 : M Santner to Smith, Floated on middle, Smith prods forward and defends. |
| 55.2 : M Santner to Smith, On the leg side, Smith works it towards backward square leg for a quick couple. |
| 55.3 : M Santner to Smith, Tossed up outside off, left alone. |
| 55.4 : M Santner to S Smith, 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. |
| 55.5 : M Santner to Smith, Smith goes back deep in his crease and works it wide of cover for one. |
| 55.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, On the hips of Marnus, he looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| Surprising, Williamson has brought Jeet Raval into the attack. |
| 56.1 : J Raval to Smith, Starts with a shortish delivery on middle, worked towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 56.2 : J Raval to Labuschagne, Floated on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 56.3 : J Raval to Labuschagne, On the leg side, Labuschagne flicks it towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 56.4 : J Raval to Smith, Loopy delivery on middle, driven towards mid on. |
| 56.5 : J Raval to Smith, Shortish delivery way wide outside off, Smith works it towards point and takes an easy single. |
| 56.6 : J Raval to Labuschagne, 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! |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| 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? |
| 57.1 : M Santner to Smith, Starts with a flighted ball on middle and leg, Smith defends it back to the bowler. |
| 57.2 : M Santner to Smith, Loopy ball on off, Smith prods forward and blocks it to cover. |
| 57.3 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter delivery on middle, Smith works it to square leg and takes a single. |
| 57.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flat one on off, Marnus whips it away to mid-wicket. |
| 57.5 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Full delivery on off, Labuschagne drives it to mid off and takes a single. |
| 57.6 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter delivery on middle, Smith works it to the leg side and takes a single. |
| Colin de Grandhomme to partner Santner from the other end. |
| 58.1 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Good length delivery on off, Smith pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 58.2 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Fullish delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 58.3 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Outside off, left alone by Smith. |
| 58.4 : de Grandhomme to Smith, On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 58.5 : de Grandhomme to Smith, 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. |
| 58.6 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Better from Smith! Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it to mid on for nothing. |
| Tom Latham has been moved to short leg. |
| 59.1 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Full delivery on off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover and takes a single. |
| 59.2 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter delivery on off, Smith pushes it to covers. |
| 59.3 : M Santner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 59.4 : M Santner to Smith, On middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 59.5 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter one outside off, Steven lets it go to the keeper. |
| 59.6 : M Santner to Smith, Flighted ball on off, Smith pushes this past the diving Santner to mid off. No run. |
| 60.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length ball on off, Labuschagne defends it to cover. |
| 60.2 : de Grandhomme to M Labuschagne, Full on middle, driven to mid on. |
| 60.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to it. |
| 60.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Marnus drives it to cover for nothing. |
| 60.5 : de Grandhomme to M Labuschagne, On off, pushed towards cover. |
| 60.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 61.1 : M Santner to Smith, Floated delivery on off, Smith lunges and defends it to cover. |
| 61.2 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter delivery on the pads, Smith whips it to backward square leg and takes three. The fielder hares across and cleans it up. |
| 61.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Fullish delivery on off, Marnus pushes it to mid off and takes a single. |
| 61.4 : M Santner to Smith, Floated on off, Smith pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 61.5 : M Santner to Smith, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 61.6 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 62.1 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 62.2 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Another length ball outside off, Smith blocks it. |
| 62.3 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Just outside off again, left alone. |
| 62.4 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Full ball on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 62.5 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Good length ball on middle and leg, driven towards mid on. |
| 62.6 : de Grandhomme to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 63.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter delivery on off, Marnus plays it onto the pitch. |
| 63.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Loopy ball on off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover. |
| 63.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Floated ball outside off, Labuschagne drives it towards cover and picks up a single. |
| 63.4 : M Santner to Smith, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Flighted ball outside off, Smith leans forward and drives it through the extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 63.5 : M Santner to Smith, Santner tosses this one up on off, Smith is solid in defense. |
| 63.6 : M Santner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 64.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 64.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, On a length on middle, ML defends it back to the bowler. |
| 64.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 64.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery on off, Labuschagne drives this to mid off for nothing. |
| 64.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 64.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 65.1 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter delivery outside off, Smith shoulders arms to this one. |
| 65.2 : M Santner to Smith, Floated ball on off, Smith defends it to cover. |
| 65.3 : M Santner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it straight but Santner makes a good stop to his right. |
| 65.4 : M Santner to Smith, Fullish ball outside off, Steven pushes it to cover. |
| 65.5 : M Santner to Smith, On middle, defended. |
| 65.6 : M Santner to Smith, Flighted ball outside off, Steven blocks it to cover. |
| Tim Southee is back into the attack. 13-3-29-0, his figures so far. |
| 66.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 66.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne leaves the ball alone. |
| 66.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Fullish delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 66.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, On a length outside off, Marnus leaves it alone. |
| 66.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 66.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| Neil Wagner is back into the attack. 13-2-30-1 are his figures so far. |
| 67.1 : N Wagner to Smith, Full delivery outside off, Steven Smith does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone. |
| 67.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith defends it to mid on. |
| 67.3 : N Wagner to Smith, Fullish ball outside off, Smith shoulders arms. |
| 67.4 : N Wagner to Smith, On a length on off, Smith defends it to the off side off the back foot. |
| 67.5 : N Wagner to Smith, On off, defended out by Smith to mid off. |
| 67.6 : N Wagner to Smith, Short ball outside off, Labuschagne ducks under it. |
| 68.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 68.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Marnus drives this to covers and picks up a single. |
| 68.3 : Tim Southee to Smith, On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 68.4 : Tim Southee to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 68.5 : Tim Southee to Smith, Good length delivery outside off, Steven does not fiddle with it yet again and lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 68.6 : Tim Southee to Smith, Full delivery on off, Smith defends it out to mid off. |
| 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. |
| Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. 14-2-43-0 are his figures. |
| 69.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 69.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Another flat one outside off, ML guides it to point. |
| 69.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Full delivery on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and takes a single. |
| 69.4 : M Santner to Smith, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 69.5 : M Santner to Smith, Flatter delivery on off, Smith works this away towards mid-wicket and picks up a couple. |
| 69.6 : M Santner to Smith, Loopy ball on off, Smith drives it to cover. |
| Neil Wagner has a change of ends. |
| 70.1 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, Full delivery on off, Marnus defends it to mid off. |
| 70.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 70.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, On a length on off, Marnus guides it to point. |
| 70.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Good length ball on middle, Marnus defends it back to the bowler. |
| 70.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 70.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, FOUR! Pulled away! Short delivery on middle, Labuschagne rocks on his back foot and hammers the pull to deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 71.1 : M Santner to Smith, Floated ball outside off, Smith drives this to cover. |
| 71.2 : M Santner to Smith, On middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 71.3 : M Santner to Smith, Fullish on off, pushed to cover. |
| 71.4 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 71.5 : M Santner to Smith, Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it to mid on for nothing. |
| 71.6 : M Santner to S Smith, On off, driven to mid off. |
| 72.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short ball on the leg stump line, Marnus pulls it to deep square leg and picks up a single. |
| 72.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Wagner bowls a bouncer around off, Steven Smith ducks under it. |
| 72.3 : N Wagner to Smith, BOUNCER! Smith once again ducks under it. |
| 72.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Short ball down the leg side, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 72.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Back of a length delivery on middle, Smith whips it to square leg. |
| 72.6 : N Wagner to Smith, Short ball down the leg side, Smith does not fiddle with it and lets it go past him. |
| 73.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter delivery outside off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover. |
| 73.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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? |
| 73.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Floated ball on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 73.4 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 73.5 : M Santner to S Smith, It's been driven superbly through the covers. |
| 73.6 : M Santner to Smith, 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. |
| 74.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, On the pads of Marnus, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 74.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Bouncer on middle and leg, Smith ducks under it. |
| 74.3 : N Wagner to Smith, 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 t |
| Matthew Wade is the new man in. |
| 74.4 : N Wagner to M Wade, 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. |
| 74.5 : N Wagner to Wade, Length ball outside off, left alone by Wade. |
| 74.6 : N Wagner to Wade, Bouncer on off, Wade does not fiddle with it. |
| 75.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flighted ball outside off, Marnus pushes it to cover and takes a single. |
| 75.2 : M Santner to Wade, Floated ball outside off, Wade lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 75.3 : M Santner to Wade, Loopy ball on middle, Wade plays the paddle sweep to fine leg and gets off the mark with that single. |
| 75.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, On middle, blocked. |
| 75.5 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Floated ball on off, Marnus pushes this to cover. |
| 75.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Tossed up ball on off, Marnus drives it to cover for nothing. |
| 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. |
| 76.1 : N Wagner to Wade, Full delivery on off, Wade defends it to the off side. |
| 76.2 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 76.3 : N Wagner to Wade, Bouncer around middle, Wade ducks under it. |
| 76.4 : N Wagner to Wade, Slower full delivery on off, Wade sees it early and digs it out onto the pitch. |
| 76.5 : N Wagner to Wade, Short delivery outside off, Wade sways away from it. |
| 76.6 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 77.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter delivery on off, Marnus defends it back to the bowler. |
| 77.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Another flat delivery on middle, Labuschagne comes down the track and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 77.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Short delivery outside off, Marnus pushes it to cover. |
| 77.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, On off, Labuschagne pushes it to long on and takes a single. |
| 77.5 : M Santner to Wade, Flatter delivery on middle, Wade flicks it to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 77.6 : M Santner to Wade, Flatter delivery outside off, Wade pushes it to cover. |
| 78.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Labuschagne does well to duck under it. The umpire gives it wide for height. |
| N Wagner to Labuschagne, Bowls a bouncer outside off, Marnus ducks under it. |
| 78.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, On a good length on middle, Marnus nudges it towards the leg side. |
| 78.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to square leg. |
| 78.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 78.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, On a good length on middle, Marnus defends it out. |
| 78.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Bowls it down the leg side, Labuschagne looks to flick but misses it. |
| 79.1 : M Santner to Wade, FOUR! Excellent shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Wade sweeps it over square leg for a boundary. |
| 79.2 : M Santner to Wade, Tossed up delivery on middle, Wade offers a forward defense on this one. |
| 79.3 : M Santner to M Wade, Full delivery on off, Wade drives it to covers. |
| 79.4 : M Santner to Wade, 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. |
| 79.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Floated delivery on off, Labuschagne drives it to mid off. |
| 79.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flighted delivery on middle, Marnus defends it off the back foot. |
| 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. |
| 80.1 : Tim Southee to Wade, On a good length on middle, Wade flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 80.2 : Tim Southee to Wade, Outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one. There is swing on offer with the second new ball. |
| 80.3 : Tim Southee to Wade, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Wade looks to drive but misses it due to the away movement on this one. |
| 80.4 : Tim Southee to Wade, Length delivery on off, Wade plays it towards the off side. The batsmen take a single. |
| 80.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Outside off, Labuschagne does not bother to play at that. |
| 80.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, On a good length on middle, Marnus defends it out. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is back on! 14-5-22-1 are his figures so far. |
| 81.1 : de Grandhomme to Wade, Starts with a good length delivery outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one. |
| 81.2 : de Grandhomme to Wade, NO BALL! Colin de Grandhomme has overstepped here. Full delivery on middle, Wade defends it back to the bowler. |
| de Grandhomme to Wade, On a length on middle, Matthew blocks it out. |
| 81.3 : de Grandhomme to Wade, Full delivery on off, Wade drives it straight to mid off and picks up a single. |
| 81.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 81.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Fullish delivery outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone again. |
| 81.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it and lets it go to BJ Watling. |
| 82.1 : Tim Southee to Wade, 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? |
| Travis Head is the new man in. He needs to arrest the Aussie slide. |
| 82.2 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery on off, Head pushes it to mid off. |
| 82.3 : Tim Southee to Head, Good length ball on middle, Head guides it to point. |
| 82.4 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery outside off which holds its line, Head first looks to defend it but decides to let the ball go to the keeper. |
| 82.5 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery on middle, Travis pushes it to mid on. |
| 82.6 : Tim Southee to Head, On a length on off, Head punches this off the back foot to cover. |
| 83.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it out onto the pitch. |
| 83.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length delivery outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one. |
| 83.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, On middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 83.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Fullish ball on middle, Marnus drives it but de Grandhomme jumps up and collects it. |
| 83.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 83.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone by Marnus. |
| 84.1 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 84.2 : Tim Southee to Head, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 84.3 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery outside off swinging in, Head makes a good leave. |
| 84.4 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery on off, Head drives it to mid off. |
| 84.5 : Tim Southee to Head, On off, defended out. |
| 84.6 : Tim Southee to T Head, 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. |
| Neil Wagner is back on. 19-3-47-2 are his figures so far. |
| 85.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 85.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Good length ball on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and picks up a single. |
| 85.3 : N Wagner to Head, Full delivery on off, Head pushes it to cover for nothing. |
| 85.4 : N Wagner to Head, Outside off, Head lets it go to the keeper. |
| 85.5 : N Wagner to Head, Good length ball on middle and leg, Head whips it to mid-wicket. |
| 85.6 : N Wagner to T Head, 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. |
| 86.1 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 86.2 : Tim Southee to Head, FOUR! Just over! Short ball outside off, Head slashes at it and it goes just over the gully fielder and into the fence. |
| 86.3 : Tim Southee to Head, Good length ball on off, Travis defends it off the back foot towards cover. |
| 86.4 : Tim Southee to Head, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 86.5 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery way outside off, Head lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 86.6 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery on middle, Travis whips it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 87.1 : N Wagner to Head, BEATEN! Beautiful bowling! Good length delivery outside off, Head looks to defend it but fails to make any connection with it. |
| 87.2 : N Wagner to Head, Full delivery on middle, Head defends it out. |
| 87.3 : N Wagner to Head, Full delivery outside off, Head drives it to cover where the fielder dives to stop the ball. |
| 87.4 : N Wagner to Head, Short ball down the leg side, Head does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 87.5 : N Wagner to Head, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle stump, Head ducks under it. |
| 87.6 : N Wagner to Head, Slower full delivery outside off, Travis picks it and pushes it to mid off. |
| 88.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 88.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length ball on middle, Marnus whips it to mid-wicket and picks up a single. |
| 88.3 : Tim Southee to T Head, 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. |
| 88.4 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 88.5 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 88.6 : Tim Southee to Head, Full delivery on middle, Head defends it out to cover. |
| 89.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Full delivery on off, Marnus blocks it back to Wagner. |
| 89.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Good length ball on middle, Labuschagne defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 89.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 89.4 : N Wagner to Head, Full delivery on middle, Head blocks it out. |
| 89.5 : N Wagner to Head, Fullish ball on middle and leg, Travis works it through mid-wicket and takes a couple. |
| 89.6 : N Wagner to Head, 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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! |
| ... DAY 2 ... |
| 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 pl |
| 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. |
| 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 w |
| 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 kn |
| 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. T |
| 90.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Southee starts with a ball in the channel outside off and on a good length. Labuschagne lets it be, in his own style. |
| 90.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, This time he gets closer to the off pole. Labuschagne comes forward and blocks it out solidly. |
| 90.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Outside off again and on a good length. Labuschagne is not going after these this early as he shoulders arms. |
| 90.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Closer to off pole again, just behind good length. Labuschagne has his timbers covered as he lets it go the keeper. |
| 90.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 90.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Misses the line this time does Southee as he sprays down the leg side. Labuschagne misses his flick too. |
| 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. |
| 91.1 : N Wagner to Head, Wagner starts with a fuller length ball on off for the left-hander. Head pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 91.2 : N Wagner to T Head, 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. |
| 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. |
| 91.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Double bluff? Wagner dishes a good length ball outside off, Labuschagne lets it be. |
| 91.4 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| 91.5 : N Wagner to Head, Around off, Head comes forward and keeps it out. |
| 91.6 : N Wagner to Head, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 92.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, In the channel outside off again, Labuschagne lets it be. |
| 92.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 92.3 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 92.4 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 92.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, FOUR! First one of the day! Overpitched and outside off, Labuschagne leans into the drive and creams it through covers for a boundary. |
| 92.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Full and on middle, Labuschagne drives it wide of mid on for a single. |
| 93.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 93.2 : N Wagner to Head, On middle, Head strokes it straight to mid on. |
| 93.3 : N Wagner to Head, 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. |
| 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. |
| 93.4 : N Wagner to Head, Bouncer and around off, Head hops and keeps it out nicely. |
| 93.5 : N Wagner to Head, 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 left of the short leg fielder for a single. |
| 93.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone. |
| 94.1 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 94.2 : Tim Southee to Head, In the channel outside off, Head makes a leave. |
| 94.3 : Tim Southee to Head, Around off, Head pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 94.4 : Tim Southee to Head, Full and around off, Head looks to drive but manages to hit it off the toe end of the bat towards cover. |
| 94.5 : Tim Southee to Head, Full and around off and middle. Head pushes it towards mid on. |
| 94.6 : Tim Southee to Head, Full and just around off, Head drives it to mid off firmly. |
| 95.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Sharp bouncer! But no closer 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. |
| 95.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Bouncer around off again, Labuschagne sways away from it nicely. |
| 95.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Another one but this one is way too high to make the batsman play. Marnus ducks under it. |
| 95.4 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, Bouncer again but this time Labuschagne goes for the pull and turns it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 95.5 : N Wagner to Head, Behind good length and around off, Head taps it back to the bowler. |
| 95.6 : N Wagner to Head, On middle, Head tucks it nicely but straight to Latham at short leg. |
| 96.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, FOUR! Shot of the morning so far! Just overpitched from Southee. Labuschagne leans forward and drives it to the long on fence nicely. |
| 96.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 96.3 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 96.4 : Tim Southee to Head, Outside off again and slightly shortish length. Head cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 96.5 : Tim Southee to M Labuschagne, Around off and middle, Labuschagne pushes it towards mid on. |
| 96.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, On the pads, Labuschagne tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 97.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short ball down the leg side, actually way down the leg side. Labuschagne lets it be. |
| 97.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Shortish length around off, Marnus taps it towards the off side of the back foot. |
| 97.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 97.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Bouncer around off this time, Labuschagne sways away. |
| 97.5 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, Bouncer again but this time Marnus pulls it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 97.6 : N Wagner to Head, Another shortish length, this time Head tucks it wide of short fine leg for a single. |
| 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. |
| 98.1 : de Grandhomme to Head, Starts with a good length ball around off, Head pushes it towards mid off nicely. |
| 98.2 : de Grandhomme to T Head, Overpitched and outside off, Head drives it well but Williamson at mid off dives to his right and makes a nice stop. |
| 98.3 : de Grandhomme to T Head, FOUR! Brilliant shot! Full and around off this time, Head gets in the position and drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 98.4 : de Grandhomme to Head, 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. |
| 98.5 : de Grandhomme to Head, On middle, it is pushed towards mid on. |
| 98.6 : de Grandhomme to Head, Beaten! Full and wide outside off, inviting the drive. Head falls in the trap and drives but away from the body to get beaten. |
| 99.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short and around off and middle, Labuschagne pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 99.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Slightly short and on middle, Labuschagne keeps it out. |
| 99.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Bouncer outside off, Labuschagne pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 99.4 : N Wagner to Head, Down the leg side, Head looks to flick but makes no connection. |
| 99.5 : N Wagner to Head, Wagner bowls another one down the leg side. Head lets it be. |
| 99.6 : N Wagner to Head, Another bouncer, targeting the head of Head. Head does well to evade it. |
| 100.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full around off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 100.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, FOUR! Whipped off the pads. Brilliant shot. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it nicely, using his wrists to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 100.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Around off on a fullish length, Labuschagne flicks it again. This time it is uppishly but wide of the mid-wicket fielder. A couple of runs taken. |
| 100.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one. |
| 100.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, On off, pushed towards point. |
| 100.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length around off again, Labuschagne bunts it on the pitch on the off side. |
| 101.1 : N Wagner to Head, Back of a length on the hips of Head. He tucks it through square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 101.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 101.3 : N Wagner to M Labuschagne, 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 |
| Skipper Tim Paine walks out. Short leg in position. |
| 101.4 : N Wagner to Paine, A bouncer to welcome the skipper. It is on middle but Paine has no problem ducking under it. |
| 101.5 : N Wagner to Paine, Around off, Paine pushes it through point for a single to get off the mark. |
| 101.6 : N Wagner to Head, 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. |
| 102.1 : de Grandhomme to Tim Paine, Full and around off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 102.2 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Just outside off, guided towards short third man. |
| 102.3 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Outside off, Paine shoulders arms. |
| 102.4 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Around off, Paine pushes it towards gully with soft hands. |
| 102.5 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 102.6 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Good length around off, Paine defends it out. |
| Drinks! Labuschagne and Head almost saw off the first hour of the 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 a company. They would look to add another partnership to take Australia towards big first innings score. The K |
| 103.1 : N Wagner to Head, Shortish length outside off, Head looks to cut but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 103.2 : N Wagner to Head, Down the leg side this time. Head lets it be. |
| 103.3 : N Wagner to Head, On the pads again, Head tucks it nicely past the short leg fielder behind square leg for a single. |
| 103.4 : N Wagner to Paine, Shortish length and around off, Paine taps it towards cover. |
| 103.5 : N Wagner to Paine, Good length and around off, Paine pushes it towards mid on. |
| 103.6 : N Wagner to Paine, Good length ball around off and middle, Paine blocks it back to the bowler nicely. |
| 104.1 : de Grandhomme to Head, Fullish length ball outside off, Head lets it be. |
| 104.2 : de Grandhomme to Head, Play and a miss! Fullish length and outside off, Head feels for the ball as he goes for the drive but misses. |
| 104.3 : de Grandhomme to Head, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 104.4 : de Grandhomme to T Head, 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 overt |
| 104.5 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Around off, Head taps it towards point. |
| 104.6 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Outside off again, Head this time lets it be. |
| 105.1 : N Wagner to Head, Wagner bowls down the leg side again. Head looks to pull but misses out. |
| 105.2 : N Wagner to Head, Low full toss around off, Head flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 105.3 : N Wagner to Head, Bouncer and around off, Head sways away from it. |
| 105.4 : N Wagner to Head, Another ball down the leg side. Second one from the over. Seems like Wagner has lost the trajectory. Head lets it be. |
| 105.5 : N Wagner to Head, Another back of a length ball. This time the line is right. He defends it out nicely. |
| 105.6 : N Wagner to Head, Another bumper! Head ducks under it. |
| 106.1 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Fullish and on the pads, Paine flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. It is not from the middle of the bat. Mid-wicket fielder hares after and returns the ball but cannot stop a couple of runs. |
| 106.2 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| 106.3 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Another leave as Paine lets it be once again. |
| 106.4 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Gets closer to the off pole but Paine has his stumps covered as he shoulders arms. |
| 106.5 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Make that fourth leave in a row as this one is on a length and outside off. |
| 106.6 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Around off, this time Paine pushes it towards cover. |
| 107.1 : N Wagner to Head, FOUR! Nicley pulled! Bouncer on middle, Head rolls head wrists and pulls it between the legs of Aleem Dar at square leg and past the diving Raval at squarish mid-wicket. |
| 107.2 : N Wagner to Head, Down the leg side this time, Head looks to tickle it down the leg side but makes no connection. |
| 107.3 : N Wagner to Head, And again. It is down the leg side, Head once again flicks but makes no connection. |
| 107.4 : N Wagner to Head, Shortish around off this time, Head strokes it towards cover. |
| Silly point comes on for Head. Short leg is already there for the left-hander. |
| 107.5 : N Wagner to Head, Full and on middle, flicked towards mid on. |
| 107.6 : N Wagner to Head, Another ball down the leg side. Another attempt of pull from Head. Another failure for him. |
| 108.1 : de Grandhomme to Paine, 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. |
| 108.2 : de Grandhomme to Tim Paine, Around off, pushed towards mid off. |
| Paine bails out at the last moment. Oh, there was a fly in front of his eyes. |
| 108.3 : de Grandhomme to Paine, On middle, Paine tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 108.4 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Outside off, Paine lets it be this time. |
| 108.5 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Another ball outside off, Paine makes second leave in a row. |
| 108.6 : de Grandhomme to Paine, Fullish and inviting the batsman for the drive. Paine is not lured as he lets it go the keeper. |
| 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. |
| 109.1 : M Santner to Head, 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. |
| 109.2 : M Santner to T Head, Another bad ball. Short and outside off, Head cuts it to deep backward point for a single. |
| 109.3 : M Santner to Paine, Flatter and around off, Paine defends it out. |
| 109.4 : M Santner to Paine, Fires it on middle, Paine tucks it towards mid-wicket. Head wanted a single there but Paine was not interested. |
| 109.5 : M Santner to Paine, Shortish ball on middle, Paine goes back and keeps it out. |
| 109.6 : M Santner to Paine, Shortish again and on middle, Paine pushes it back to the bowler. |
| Tim Southee returns. 24-5-77-1 are his numbers so far. |
| 110.1 : Tim Southee to Head, Starts with a fuller ball outside off, asking the batsman to go for the drive. Head though is not interested. |
| 110.2 : Tim Southee to Head, In the channel outside off, Head lets it be. |
| 110.3 : Tim Southee to T Head, Shot but straight to the cover fielder. Full and just outside off, Head strokes it nicely but straight to the fielder. |
| 110.4 : Tim Southee to Head, Another fuller ball, this one comes in after pitching outside off. Head covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 110.5 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 110.6 : Tim Southee to Head, Around off, Head defends it out. |
| 111.1 : M Santner to Tim Paine, FOUR! First boundary for the skipper. Full delivery outside off, Paine drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 111.2 : M Santner to Paine, Quick single for the skipper. Floated delivery outside off, Paine drives it towards covers. |
| 111.3 : M Santner to Head, Tossed up delivery on off, Travis drives it to covers. |
| 111.4 : M Santner to Head, Flighted delivery on off, Head defends it out. |
| 111.5 : M Santner to Head, Another quick run but this time for Travis Head. Floated delivery on middle, Head drives it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 111.6 : M Santner to Tim Paine, Full and outside off, Paine looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and rolls towards point. |
| 112.1 : Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| 0.0 : Pat Cummins is the next batsman in. |
| 112.2 : Tim Southee to Pat Cummins, Full and around off for Cummins first up. He is up for the challenge as he drives it firmly but straight to mid off. |
| 112.3 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Full and on off again, it is defended towards point. |
| 112.4 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Good length ball around off, Cummins stays on the back foot and pushes it towards gully. |
| 112.5 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler firmly. |
| 112.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Outside off on a good length, it is left alone. |
| 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. |
| 113.1 : M Santner to Paine, 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. |
| 113.2 : M Santner to Paine, Tossed up delivery on off, Paine plays it to point. |
| 113.3 : M Santner to Paine, Flighted delivery on middle, Paine flicks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 113.4 : M Santner to Cummins, Floated delivery on off, Cummins defends it off the front foot. |
| 113.5 : M Santner to Cummins, Tossed up delivery on off, Pat keeps it out. |
| 113.6 : M Santner to Cummins, Loopy delivery on middle, Cummins blocks it off the back foot. |
| 114.1 : Tim Southee to Paine, Fullish length ball in the channel outside off, Paine lets it be. |
| 114.2 : Tim Southee to Paine, Fullish and on off this time. Paine comes on the front foot and defends it out. |
| 114.3 : Tim Southee to Tim Paine, Full and outside off again. Paine this time drives it through point and picks three. |
| 114.4 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Full and around off from Southee this time. Cummins is solid in his front foot block again. |
| 114.5 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Bouncer on middle, Cummins ducks under it. |
| 114.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, 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. Replays roll in and they suggest that there was no bat involved and the noise was ball kissing the pocket of the trouser. |
| 115.1 : M Santner to Paine, Flighted delivery on off, Paine defends it off the front foot. |
| 115.2 : M Santner to Paine, Tossed up delivery on middle, Paine keeps it out. |
| 115.3 : M Santner to Paine, Floated delivery on off, the skipper defends it off the front foot. |
| 115.4 : M Santner to Paine, Loopy delivery on off, Tim plays it to the off side. |
| 115.5 : M Santner to Tim Paine, Flighted delivery on off, Paine drives it through covers for a run. |
| 115.6 : M Santner to Pat Cummins, FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, Cummins drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| Jeet Raval to bowl the last over before Lunch. Bowled one on Day 1. Just one slip for him. |
| 116.1 : J Raval to Paine, Full and around off, it is defended. |
| 116.2 : J Raval to Paine, 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. |
| 116.3 : J Raval to Cummins, Sharp turn there. Flights this one and lands it just around off. Cummins looks to drive but gets beaten as the ball turns away. |
| 116.4 : J Raval to Cummins, Full and on off, pushed through covers for a single. |
| 116.5 : J Raval to Tim Paine, Paine comes forward and converts this loopy ball as full toss and drives it through mid off for a run. |
| 116.6 : J Raval to Cummins, Around off, Paine defends it out nicely. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| ... Day 2, Session 2 ... |
| 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. |
| 117.1 : N Wagner to Paine, Wagner starts with a short ball outside off, Paine sways away from it. |
| 117.2 : N Wagner to Tim Paine, 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. |
| 117.3 : N Wagner to Paine, On a length outside off, Paine lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 117.4 : N Wagner to Paine, 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. |
| 117.5 : N Wagner to Paine, Another short one on the leg stump line, Tim pulls it to backward square leg for a single. |
| 117.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, On middle, defended out by Cummins. |
| Jeet Raval will bowl from the other end. |
| 118.1 : J Raval to Paine, Starts with a tossed up ball outside off, Paine shoulders arms to this one. |
| 118.2 : J Raval to Paine, Flatter delivery outside off, Paine cuts off the back foot towards point where Santner tumbles to field the ball. |
| 118.3 : J Raval to Paine, Flighted ball on middle, Paine works it behind square leg for a single. |
| 118.4 : J Raval to Cummins, Loopy ball on middle and leg, Cummins works it to mid-wicket. |
| 118.5 : J Raval to Cummins, Floated ball on off, Pat defends it to cover. |
| 118.6 : J Raval to Cummins, Raval tosses this one up on middle, Cummins works it to square leg and keeps the strike for the next over. |
| 119.1 : N Wagner to Cummins, Short ball around middle, Cummins ducks under it. |
| 119.2 : N Wagner to Cummins, Back of a length delivery on off, Cummins stands tall and defends it out. |
| 119.3 : N Wagner to Cummins, Short ball on middle and leg, Cummins blocks it out onto the pitch off the back foot. |
| 119.4 : N Wagner to Cummins, 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. |
| 119.5 : N Wagner to Cummins, Short of a length delivery on middle, Pat blocks it out. |
| 119.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, On a length outside off, Pat shoulders arms to this one. Maiden over from Wagner. |
| 120.1 : J Raval to Tim Paine, Very full delivery outside the off stump line, Paine drives this to deep cover and takes the single. |
| 120.2 : J Raval to Cummins, Another very full delivery, almost a yorker, Cummins digs it back to the bowler. |
| 120.3 : J Raval to Cummins, Tossed up ball on off, Cummins is solid in his defense and does so to cover. |
| 120.4 : J Raval to Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Cummins pushes it to mid on. No run. |
| 120.5 : J Raval to Cummins, Loopy ball on middle and leg, Pat defends it back to the bowler. |
| 120.6 : J Raval to Cummins, 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. |
| 121.1 : N Wagner to Pat Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Cummins drives this but the mid on fielder comes across and cleans it up. |
| 121.2 : N Wagner to Cummins, Good length ball on off, Cummins guide it to point and crosses over for a single. |
| 121.3 : N Wagner to Paine, Short ball on the middle stump line, Paine pulls it to deep square leg and takes a single. |
| 121.4 : N Wagner to Cummins, Slower delivery on middle, Cummins picks it up early and then flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 121.5 : N Wagner to Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Pat drives it to mid on. |
| 121.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, Wagner bowls a full delivery outside off, Cummins lets it go to the keeper. |
| 122.1 : J Raval to Paine, Tossed up ball on middle, Paine whips it to mid-wicket. |
| 122.2 : J Raval to Paine, 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. |
| 122.3 : J Raval to Paine, Short ball outside off, Paine plays the square cut but finds the point fielder. |
| 122.4 : J Raval to Paine, Loopy ball on middle, Tim defends it out. |
| 122.5 : J Raval to Paine, Tossed up ball on middle, Paine blocks it out. |
| 122.6 : J Raval to Paine, Flatter delivery way outside off, Paine has no problem in leaving this ball alone. |
| 123.1 : N Wagner to Cummins, Full delivery outside off angling into the batsman, Pat lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 123.2 : N Wagner to Cummins, Back of a length delivery on middle, Cummins tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 123.3 : N Wagner to Cummins, BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle stump, Cummins ducks under it. |
| 123.4 : N Wagner to Cummins, Full delivery down the leg side, Cummins looks to flick it but misses it. |
| 123.5 : N Wagner to Cummins, Slower delivery on middle and leg, Cummins works it away to leg gully. |
| 123.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, Back of a length delivery on middle, Cummins stands tall and blocks it onto the pitch. |
| 124.1 : J Raval to Paine, 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. |
| 124.2 : J Raval to Tim Paine, Short delivery outside off, Paine cuts it but straight to the point fielder who collects it on the bounce. |
| 124.3 : J Raval to Paine, On middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 124.4 : J Raval to Paine, Full toss on off, Paine pushes it to cover. |
| 124.5 : J Raval to Paine, Full delivery on middle, Paine pushes this to mid off. |
| 124.6 : J Raval to Paine, On off, pushed towards mid off. |
| Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. 24-3-82-0 are his figures so far. |
| 125.1 : M Santner to Cummins, Floated ball outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 125.2 : M Santner to Cummins, 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 spin. Nathan Lyon will be watching that closely. |
| 125.3 : M Santner to Cummins, Outside off, left alone. |
| 125.4 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery on middle, Cummins defends it out. |
| 125.5 : M Santner to Cummins, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 125.6 : M Santner to Cummins, Another flat delivery on middle, Cummins defends it out. |
| 126.1 : J Raval to Paine, Full delivery on off, Paine pushes it to cover. |
| 126.2 : J Raval to Paine, Floated ball outside off, Paine leaves it alone. |
| 126.3 : J Raval to Tim Paine, Loopy ball on off, Tim drives it to mid off for nothing. |
| 126.4 : J Raval to Paine, On middle, Paine drives it back to the bowler. |
| 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. |
| 126.5 : J Raval to Tim Paine, Shorter in length this time outside off, Paine cuts it towards deep cover and gives Cummins the strike. |
| 126.6 : J Raval to Cummins, Another short one outside off, Cummins punches this to deep cover and picks up a single to keep strike for the next over. |
| 127.1 : M Santner to Cummins, Flighted ball on middle, Cummins defends it to the bowler. |
| 127.2 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 127.3 : M Santner to Cummins, Floated ball on middle, Cummins blocks it out solidly. |
| 127.4 : M Santner to Cummins, Fullish ball outside off, Cummins lunges forward and then drives it to deep cover and picks up a single. |
| 127.5 : M Santner to Paine, Outside off, left alone. |
| 127.6 : M Santner to Paine, Shorter delivery on off, Paine defends it to point. |
| 128.1 : J Raval to Cummins, Floated ball outside off, Cummins shoulders arms to this one. |
| 128.2 : J Raval to Cummins, Flatter delivery on off, Cummins blocks it out. |
| 128.3 : J Raval to Cummins, BEATEN! Flatter delivery outside off with some spin off the wicket, Cummins looks to play the cut but misses it completely. |
| 128.4 : J Raval to Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Pat works it to the leg side. |
| 128.5 : J Raval to Cummins, Flatter delivery on middle, Cummins defrends it out. |
| 128.6 : J Raval to Cummins, Short ball on middle, Pat tucks it to mid-wicket and picks up a single. |
| 129.1 : M Santner to Cummins, Floats this one up on off, Cummins blocks it to point. |
| 129.2 : M Santner to Cummins, 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. |
| 129.3 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 129.4 : M Santner to Cummins, Outside off, left alone by Pat. |
| 129.5 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 129.6 : M Santner to Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Cummins solidly defends it. |
| 130.1 : J Raval to Paine, Floated ball outside off, Paine lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 130.2 : J Raval to Paine, Shorter delivery outside off, Cummins punches this to deep cover and picks up a single. |
| 130.3 : J Raval to Cummins, Flatter delivery on off, Cummins pushes it to mid off. |
| 130.4 : J Raval to Cummins, Fullish ball on off, pushged to cover. |
| 130.5 : J Raval to Cummins, Full delivery around off, Cummins drives it to mid off and takes a quick single. |
| 130.6 : J Raval to Paine, On middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 131.1 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 131.2 : M Santner to Cummins, Tossed up ball on off, Cummins defends it to point. |
| 131.3 : M Santner to Pat Cummins, 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. |
| 131.4 : M Santner to Cummins, BEATEN! Flighted ball outside off with some spin on it, Cummins looks to defend it but misses it. |
| 131.5 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery outside off, Pat lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 131.6 : M Santner to Cummins, Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins drives this to deep cover and picks up a single. |
| 132.1 : J Raval to Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Pat works it to mid-wicket. |
| 132.2 : J Raval to Cummins, On off, pushes this towards cover. |
| 132.3 : J Raval to Cummins, Raval keeps bowling full on off, Cummins keeps pushing it to the off side. |
| 132.4 : J Raval to Cummins, This time bowls a short one on off, PC guides it to point. |
| 132.5 : J Raval to Cummins, Full delivery on middle, Cummins works it to mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 132.6 : J Raval to Paine, On middle, Paine pushes it to mid on. |
| 133.1 : M Santner to Cummins, Floated ball on middle, Cummins defends it back to the bowler. |
| 133.2 : M Santner to Cummins, Tossed up ball on middle, Cummins works it to mid-wicket. |
| 133.3 : M Santner to Cummins, On middle, defended back to Santner. |
| 133.4 : M Santner to Cummins, BEATEN! Quicker delivery at 92.1 kph outside off, Cummins looks to defend it but misses it. |
| 133.5 : M Santner to Cummins, Full on middle, Pat pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 133.6 : M Santner to Cummins, Fuller again on middle, Cummins defends it out. |
| 134.1 : J Raval to Paine, BEATEN! Beautifully bowled! Raval flights this one outside off, Paine attempts to drive it but fails to make any connection to it. |
| 134.2 : J Raval to Paine, Full delivery around off, Paine drives it to cover for nothing. |
| 134.3 : J Raval to Paine, Outside off, pushed to deep cover for a single. |
| 134.4 : J Raval to Cummins, 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? |
| 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. |
| 134.5 : J Raval to Starc, Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 134.6 : J Raval to Tim Paine, Full and outside off, pushed through mid off for a single. |
| 135.1 : M Santner to Paine, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 135.2 : M Santner to Paine, 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. |
| 135.3 : M Santner to Paine, Around off, defended watchfully. |
| 135.4 : M Santner to Paine, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 135.5 : M Santner to Paine, Down the leg side, Tim looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken. |
| 135.6 : M Santner to Starc, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 136.1 : J Raval to Starc, Flatter delivery on middle, Starc plays it back to the bowler. |
| 136.2 : J Raval to Starc, Another flat one on middle, Starc tucks it to square leg. |
| 136.3 : J Raval to Starc, 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. |
| 136.4 : J Raval to Starc, On off, defended out to cover. |
| 136.5 : J Raval to M Starc, 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. |
| 136.6 : J Raval to Paine, Full delivery on middle, Paine defends it back to the bowler. |
| 137.1 : M Santner to Starc, Floated ball on off, Starc flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 137.2 : M Santner to Paine, Floated ball on off, Paine pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 137.3 : M Santner to Paine, Quicker delivery on off, Paine pushes it out to cover. Santner thought there was pad first but the umpire says no. |
| 137.4 : M Santner to Paine, 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. |
| 137.5 : M Santner to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 137.6 : M Santner to Paine, Floated on middle, Paine bends on his knees and then plays the paddle sweep to fine leg and picks up a couple. |
| 138.1 : J Raval to Starc, Full delivery on off, Mitchell pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 138.2 : J Raval to Starc, Loopy ball on middle, Starc blocks it out. |
| 138.3 : J Raval to Starc, Flatter delivery on middle, Starc flicks it towards mid-wicket but for no runs. |
| 138.4 : J Raval to Starc, 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. It is a big hit there and that is why it did not go for a six. Colin de Grandhomme is stationed there but he is standing some metres ahead of the boundary fence making it difficult for him to reach it on time. |
| 138.5 : J Raval to M Starc, Full delivery outside off, Starc drives this to cover and picks up a single. |
| 138.6 : J Raval to Paine, Flatter delivery on middle, Tim defends it out of the back foot. |
| 139.1 : M Santner to Starc, Tossed up delivery on off, Starc pushes it back towards the bowler. |
| 139.2 : M Santner to Starc, Flighted delivery on middle, Starc defends it off the front foot. |
| 139.3 : M Santner to M Starc, Short delivery on off, Starc cuts it through point. The batsmen take a single. |
| 139.4 : M Santner to Paine, Floated delivery on off, Paine plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 139.5 : M Santner to Starc, Tossed up delivery on off, Mitchell defends it off the back foot. |
| 139.6 : M Santner to Starc, FOUR! Nice shot. Loopy delivery on middle, Starc plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| Tim Southee is back into the attack! 27-6-84-2 are his figures so far. |
| 140.1 : Tim Southee to Paine, Length delivery on middle, Paine flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a single. |
| 140.2 : Tim Southee to Starc, On a good length on middle, Starc defends it off the back foot. |
| 140.3 : Tim Southee to Starc, Short delivery outside off, Starc cuts it through point for a run. |
| 140.4 : Tim Southee to Paine, 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 covers is there but before he can sweep across, the ball meets the fence. |
| 140.5 : Tim Southee to Paine, Outside off, Paine lets it go. |
| 140.6 : Tim Southee to Paine, Good length delivery on off, Paine defends it out. |
| 141.1 : M Santner to Starc, Tossed up delivery on off, Starc defends it off the front foot. |
| 141.2 : M Santner to Starc, Short on off, Starc slaps it towards covers. The batsmen take a single. |
| 141.3 : M Santner to Paine, '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. |
| 141.4 : M Santner to Paine, Full delivery on off, Paine drives it towards mid off for a run. |
| 141.5 : M Santner to Starc, 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. |
| 141.6 : M Santner to Starc, Floated delivery on off, Mitchell plays it towards point for a single. |
| 142.1 : Tim Southee to Starc, Bowls a bouncer, Starc ducks under it. |
| 142.2 : Tim Southee to Starc, Length delivery on off, Starc plays it towards mid off. |
| 142.3 : Tim Southee to Starc, On a good length on off, Starc defends it to point off the back foot. |
| 142.4 : Tim Southee to Starc, 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. |
| 142.5 : Tim Southee to Starc, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Starc looks to cut but misses it. |
| 142.6 : Tim Southee to Starc, Outside off, Mitchell leaves it alone. |
| Neil Wagner is back on! He has been the best bowler for the Kiwis. Can he take a 5-fer? |
| 143.1 : N Wagner to Paine, 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. |
| 143.2 : N Wagner to Starc, Bowls a bouncer, Starc lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 143.3 : N Wagner to Starc, Full delivery on middle, Starc drives it back towards the bowler. |
| 143.4 : N Wagner to Starc, On a length on off, Starc guides it to short third man. |
| 143.5 : N Wagner to M Starc, Full delivery on off, Starc plays it back towards the bowler. |
| 143.6 : N Wagner to M Starc, Full again on middle, Starc looks to flick but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 144.1 : Tim Southee to Starc, Outside off, Starc offers no shot to this one. |
| 144.2 : Tim Southee to Starc, 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. |
| 144.3 : Tim Southee to Starc, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer outside off, Starc lets it sail through to the keeper. The umpire gives it wide for height. |
| Tim Southee to Starc, Length delivery on off, Starc lofts it over covers. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 144.4 : Tim Southee to Starc, Full delivery on off, Starc drives it back towards the bowler. |
| 144.5 : Tim Southee to Starc, Outside off, Starc shoulders arms to this one. |
| 144.6 : Tim Southee to Starc, 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 |
| Nathan Lyon is the next batsman in. |
| 145.1 : N Wagner to Lyon, Full delivery on off, Lyon defends it back towards the bowler. |
| 145.2 : N Wagner to Lyon, Full delivery on off again, Lyon keeps it out. |
| 145.3 : N Wagner to N Lyon, FOUR! Good shot. Short delivery on leg, Lyon pulls it over square leg for a boundary. |
| 145.4 : N Wagner to Lyon, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Nathan Lyon. Short of a length delivery on leg, Lyon pulls it over fine leg for a boundary. |
| 145.5 : N Wagner to Lyon, BEATEN! Full delivery outside off, Lyon looks to drive but misses it. |
| 145.6 : N Wagner to Lyon, 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. |
| 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. |
| 146.1 : Tim Southee to Paine, BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery. On a good length and just outside off, Paine looks to defend but misses it. |
| 146.2 : Tim Southee to Paine, 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 Loc |
| 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. |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Raval, 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. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Raval, A little too straight and the length is also shorter. Raval looks to leave it but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Raval, 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. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Latham, 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. |
| 0.5 : Starc to Latham, 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 e |
| Kane Williamson is the new man in. The skipper needs to play a solid knock here. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. |
| Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Raval, 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. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to Raval, This one is outside off again but it does not come back in. Easy leave. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Raval, Closer to the off pole than the last ball, not close enough to make the batter play though. |
| 1.4 : Hazlewood to J Raval, 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 |
| Ross Taylor is the next batsman in. The two they have out there, hold the key. Both scored tons against England in the last Test and they need a similar effort here. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Taylor, Good delivery first up to Taylor. Made him play. On a length and around off, it is kept out. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Taylor, 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 have started any better. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Williamson, Crisp drive but for no runs! Fuller and on off, Williamson strokes it right off the middle but towards short cover. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Williamson, Drags his length back this time and it is outside off, Williamson does not fiddle with it. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Williamson, Good running! Shorter and on off, Williamson stands tall and drops it towards cover and takes one. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Taylor, 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? |
| Have Australia got another? They are already celebrating but Taylor seems to be in. The umpire has taken it upstairs. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Taylor, NOT OUT! Taylor is well in. However, the Kiwi players and the supporters must have had their heart in their mouths. 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 |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Williamson, 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! |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 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. |
| 3.3 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, 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! |
| 3.4 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, 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. |
| 3.5 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, This time Willy gets well behind the line of the ball and blocks it. |
| 3.6 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Back of a length outside off, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Taylor, On middle, Taylor hops and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Williamson, This time Williamson connects with the flick shot but straight to square leg. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. Another good over comes to an end by Starc. Paine takes it with both hands upwards. |
| 5.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, 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. |
| 5.2 : Pat Cummins to R Taylor, 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. |
| 5.3 : Cummins to Taylor, 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 insward movement. He misses the defensive stroke and is hit high on the pads. Ball Tracker confirms it is going over. |
| 5.4 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, 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. |
| 5.5 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 5.6 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, 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 pas the leg pole. Another testing over comes to an end. |
| 6.1 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 6.2 : M Starc to Williamson, FOUR! Bread and butter and 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. |
| 6.3 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. |
| Two gullies in place! Williamson likes to run it down in these areas. That is his scoring region and Australia are probably looking to stop those runs. |
| 6.4 : M Starc to Williamson, One more short one on middle, Williamson stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 6.5 : M Starc to Williamson, Outside off and it is left alone. |
| 6.6 : M Starc to Williamson, Probably the first wayward delivery by the Aussies in this innings. Way too short and way too wide. Left alone. |
| 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? |
| 7.1 : M Wade to Taylor, 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. |
| 7.2 : M Wade to Taylor, Bangs it short and on the body, Taylor ducks under it. |
| 7.3 : M Wade to Taylor, 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. |
| 7.4 : M Wade to R Taylor, Angled into the batter, Taylor works it to mid-wicket. |
| 7.5 : M Wade to Taylor, Slips this one down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses. |
| 7.6 : M Wade to Taylor, Very full ball around off, Taylor guides it through point and gets to the other end. So expect for the first ball, it was quite an ordinary over. |
| Change of ends for Pat Cummins. |
| 8.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, A single! Fuller and on middle, Taylor hits it past the bowler towards mid off for one. |
| 8.2 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Fullish and outside off, tempting Williamson to play a drive. Kane makes another leave. |
| 8.3 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Another one on the off pole, Williamson is solid in defense. |
| 8.4 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, 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. |
| 8.5 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Shorter and around off, Williamson plays it right onto the ground off the back foot. |
| 8.6 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, 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 anything 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. |
| 9.1 : M Wade to Taylor, 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. |
| 9.2 : M Wade to Taylor, On the pads, it is worked through square leg for one. |
| 9.3 : M Wade to Williamson, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 9.4 : M Wade to Williamson, Length delivery on off, the skipper plays it towards point for a run. |
| 9.5 : M Wade to Taylor, Full delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 9.6 : M Wade to Williamson, On a good length on off, Kane defends it off the back foot. |
| 10.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards covers where Wade makes a fine stop. |
| 10.2 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Full again on off, Taylor looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the slip region. |
| 10.3 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Taylor looks to cut but misses it. |
| 10.4 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Good length delivery on middle, Taylor rises on his toes and defends it off the back foot. |
| 10.5 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Outside off, Taylor offers no shot to this one. |
| 10.6 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Bowls a bouncer, Taylor looks to pull but misses it. |
| Nathan Lyon is on now! There is turn in this wicket, can he extract some? |
| 11.1 : N Lyon to Williamson, 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. |
| 11.2 : N Lyon to Williamson, 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. |
| 11.3 : N Lyon to Williamson, Flatter and on off, KW goes back and defends it. |
| 11.4 : N Lyon to Williamson, Quicker and outside off, Williamson offers no shot to this one. |
| 11.5 : N Lyon to Williamson, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 11.6 : N Lyon to Williamson, 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. |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, This is angled into the pads, Taylor works it wide of the fielder at mid on and takes one. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Well bowled! In the corridor of uncertainty. Williamson looks to defend but is beaten as he does so inside the line. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, On middle, Williamson stays back and works it to mid on. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Outside off again, it is not played at. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Shorter and on middle, KW ducks under it in time. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Shorter and around off, Williamson keeps it out nicely. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to Taylor, Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor defends it off the back foot. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to Taylor, Flighted delivery outside off, Ross shoulders arms to this one. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Taylor, FOUR! Excellent shot. Full delivery outside off, Taylor drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to Taylor, Floated delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Taylor, Loopy delivery on off, Taylor keeps it out. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to Taylor, Full delivery on middle, Ross blocks it well. |
| 14.1 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Slightly shorter and on off, Williamson hops and keeps it out. |
| 14.2 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, 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. Williamson takes a breather but he is fine now. |
| 14.3 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Shorter in length and on off, Williamson defends it right onto the ground. |
| 14.4 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Back of a length and outside off, Williamson pushes it towards the man at point. The two somewhat look comfortable now. |
| 14.5 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Outside off, not played at. |
| 14.6 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Angled into the pads, Williamson works it to mid-wicket. |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to R Taylor, 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. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Taylor, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Taylor, 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. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Taylor, On off, kept out. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Taylor, 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. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to Taylor, 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. |
| 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 Kiwi's advantage. Will we see New Zealand continue the fightback or will Australia continue to dominate. |
| Cummins to continue after Drinks! |
| 16.1 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, FOUR! Oops! Steven Smith is on the ground and laughing. He has slipped. Outside off, Williamson dabs it towards third man. |
| 16.2 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 16.3 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 16.4 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Back of a length outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 16.5 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, A bouncer on middle, Kane ducks. |
| 16.6 : Pat Cummins to Williamson, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Taylor, Shorter and outside off, Taylor guides it to point. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to R Taylor, Floats it up on off, Taylor strokes it towards cover. The fielder dives to his left and makes a half stop. Two taken. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Taylor, Flatter and on middle, Taylor pushes it to mid on. Once again Lyon is a little too short. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to R Taylor, 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. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Taylor, Down the leg side, Taylor lets it be. Paine does not collect it and it goes down to fine leg. A bye taken. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to K Williamson, A single to end! This is tossed up on middle, Williamson hits it down to long on for one. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on! He was excellent in his first spell. Can he break the stand? |
| 18.1 : M Starc to Williamson, On a length and around off, it comes at an awkward height for Paine who fails to collect it. Hits him on the finger. |
| 18.2 : M Starc to Williamson, FOUR! Too easy for Williamson! Full and wide outside off, Williamson opens the face of the bat and hits it through covers for a boundary. He eases into the stroke, very elegant and pleasing to the eye to watch him play that. |
| 18.3 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. |
| 18.4 : M Starc to Williamson, This is wider outside off, not played at. |
| 18.5 : M Starc to Williamson, On the shorter side again, Williamson nudges it on the leg side. |
| 18.6 : M Starc to Williamson, A couple! A full toss outside off, Williamson puts bat on ball and gets it through covers for two. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to Taylor, Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Taylor, Tossed up delivery on middle, Taylor defends it to short leg. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Taylor, Floated delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to Williamson, Loopy delivery on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Taylor, Tossed up delivery on off, Ross defends it off the front foot. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Taylor, Flighted delivery on off, Taylor keeps it out. |
| 20.1 : M Starc to Williamson, Outside off, not played at. |
| 20.2 : M Starc to Williamson, One more delivery outside off, Williamson lets it be. |
| 20.3 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. |
| 20.4 : M Starc to Williamson, Good length and on off, blocked. |
| 20.5 : M Starc to Williamson, One more short one around off, Williamson sways out of the way. |
| 20.6 : M Starc to Williamson, Shorter and on off, KW guides it to point. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Taylor, Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the front foot. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to Taylor, Floated delivery on middle, Taylor nudges it to short fine leg. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to R Taylor, Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards mid off for a run. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Williamson, Tossed up delivery on middle, Williamson nudges it to square leg. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Williamson, Loopy delivery on middle, the skipper defends it off the back foot. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Williamson, FOUR! Nicely played! Flighted delivery on off, Williamson guides it past first slip towards third man for a boundary. |
| 22.1 : M Starc to Taylor, On the pads, Taylor looks to leave it but gets his around the hip area. |
| 22.2 : M Starc to Taylor, On middle, it is angling away. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through covers for one. |
| 22.3 : M Starc to Williamson, 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. |
| 22.4 : M Starc to Williamson, OUT! CAUGHT! That is a stunner from Smith. 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 blind |
| Henry Nicholls is the new batsman in. |
| 22.5 : M Starc to Nicholls, Good length and on middle, blocked. |
| 22.6 : M Starc to Nicholls, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Taylor, Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor pushes it to mid on off the back foot. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Taylor, Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor defends it out. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Taylor, Floated delivery on off, Taylor plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Nicholls, Loopy delivery on middle, Nicholls defends it to short leg. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Nicholls, Tossed up delivery on middle, Nicholls sweeps it towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Nicholls, Floated delivery on off, Nicholls blocks it off the front foot. |
| 24.1 : M Starc to Taylor, Shorter in length and on off, Taylor keeps it onto the ground. |
| 0.0 : 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? |
| 24.2 : M Starc to Taylor, Full and on off, Taylor strokes it through mid off and the batters take two. |
| 24.3 : M Starc to Taylor, On middle, this is worked wide of mid on for one. |
| 24.4 : M Starc to Nicholls, Some chin music for the batter! Nicholls evades it nicely. |
| 24.5 : M Starc to Nicholls, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 24.6 : M Starc to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| Pat Cummins is back on. 6.4-2-19-0 are his figures so far. |
| 25.1 : Pat Cummins to R Taylor, 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. |
| 0.0 : Direct hit but Taylor seems to be fine again! Can't say though as direct hit makes things interesting. |
| 25.2 : Pat Cummins to Nicholls, 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 has a scores 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. |
| 25.3 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Played to the point region by the batsman. Two runs added to the total. |
| 25.4 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Shorter and on the body, RT nudges it on the leg side. |
| 25.5 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Cuts him into half! Double bluff by Cummins. The field was all set for a short one with a leg gull 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 is his inside edge is beaten. |
| 25.6 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, A single to end as this is pushed towards cover. |
| 26.1 : M Starc to Taylor, Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses it. |
| 26.2 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 26.3 : M Starc to Nicholls, On off, blocked. |
| 26.4 : M Starc to Nicholls, This is on the pads, Nicholls looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 26.5 : M Starc to Nicholls, A bumper now, Nicholls spots it early and moves out of the way. |
| 26.6 : M Starc to Nicholls, 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. |
| 27.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, This is angled into the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 27.2 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Back of a length again, Taylor stands back and defends it out nicely. |
| 27.3 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, On a good length and around off, blocked. |
| 27.4 : Pat Cummins to R Taylor, Shorter and on off, Taylor drags it towards leg gully. |
| 27.5 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Short delivery on middle, Taylor nudges it past short leg for a single. |
| 27.6 : Pat Cummins to Nicholls, Outside off, Nicholls offers no shot to this one. |
| 28.1 : M Starc to Taylor, Shorter in length and outside off, Taylor rides on top of the bounce and pushes it through covers. Easy three. |
| 28.2 : M Starc to Nicholls, Back of a length and on off, HN defends it. |
| 28.3 : M Starc to Nicholls, Two! Down the leg side, Nicholls works it wide of fine leg and takes two. |
| 28.4 : M Starc to Nicholls, 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. |
| 28.5 : M Starc to Nicholls, 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 himsel |
| Neil Wagner, the nightwatchman, is the new man in. 4.1 overs to survive the day's play. Rosco has a word with him. |
| 28.6 : M Starc to Wagner, 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 yorker from Starc but it is outside off. Wagner looks to jam it out but does so away from his body. It hits the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. Australia finishing the day brilliantly. |
| BJ Watling walks out to bat next. He has been in red-hot form of late and is needed big time by the Kiwis. |
| 29.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Fuller and on middle, Taylor works it through mid-wicket and a single is taken. |
| 29.2 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Outside off, left alone. |
| 29.3 : Pat Cummins to Watling, One more delivery left alone as it is outside off. |
| 29.4 : Pat Cummins to Watling, On middle, Watling gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 29.5 : Pat Cummins to Watling, A length delivery to end! BJ is solid in defense. |
| 29.6 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Fuller and wide outside off, Watling does not fiddle with it. |
| 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? |
| 30.1 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 30.2 : M Starc to Taylor, 100 up for Kiwis! Shorter and on off, Taylor pushes it through covers and takes two. |
| 30.3 : M Starc to Taylor, One more short one on middle, it is pulled through square leg and a single is taken. |
| 30.4 : M Starc to Watling, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 30.5 : M Starc to Watling, On the middle pole, Watling keeps it out nicely. |
| 30.6 : M Starc to Watling, A little too wide outside off, not played at. |
| 31.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Full delivery on middle, Taylor drives it to mid on. |
| 31.2 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, 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. |
| 31.3 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Outside off, Ross lets it go. |
| 31.4 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Bowls a bouncer, Taylor does well to duck under it. |
| 31.5 : Pat Cummins to R Taylor, Full delivery on off, Taylor looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 31.6 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, 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! |
| 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. |
| 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 l |
| 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 |
| 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 th |
| ... DAY 3 ... |
| 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. |
| 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... |
| 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 |
| 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 out 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 |
| 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... |
| 32.1 : M Starc to Watling, Not a bad nut to start. An inswinger, albeit a full toss, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 32.2 : M Starc to BJ Watling, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. The Kiwis are underway for the day. |
| 32.3 : M Starc to Taylor, Around off, defended solidly. |
| 32.4 : M Starc to Taylor, A short ball, around leg stump, tucked towards short leg. |
| 32.5 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 32.6 : M Starc to Taylor, Down the leg side again, left alone. |
| Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. 10.4-2-34-0 are his figures so far. |
| 33.1 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Full delivery on middle, Watling flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 33.2 : Pat Cummins to Watling, 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. |
| 33.3 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Good length delivery on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot. |
| 33.4 : Pat Cummins to Watling, On a good length again on middle, Watling defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 33.5 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one. |
| 33.6 : Pat Cummins to Watling, On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the back foot. |
| 34.1 : M Starc to Taylor, Bowls a bouncer on leg, Taylor does well to duck under it. |
| 34.2 : M Starc to Taylor, Short delivery down the leg side, Taylor looks to pull but misses it. It goes safely towards the keeper. |
| 34.3 : M Starc to Taylor, Bowls a bouncer again outside leg, Taylor does not bother to play at it. |
| 34.4 : M Starc to Taylor, 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 sets off for a single but Watling is not interested at all. Nathan Lyon picks the ball and throws it at the kee |
| 34.5 : M Starc to BJ Watling, Full delivery on off, Watling drives it through covers. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 34.6 : M Starc to Taylor, Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor lets it go. |
| 35.1 : Pat Cummins to Watling, On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the back foot. |
| 35.2 : Pat Cummins to Watling, FOUR! Classic shot! Full delivery on middle, Watling drives it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 35.3 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Bowls a bouncer, Watling ducks under it. |
| 35.4 : Pat Cummins to Watling, On a good length and just outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one. |
| 35.5 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Good length delivery on off, Watling defends it off the back foot. |
| 35.6 : Pat Cummins to Watling, On a good length on middle, Watling defends it out. |
| 36.1 : M Starc to Taylor, Length delivery on leg, Taylor flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 36.2 : M Starc to Taylor, On a good length on middle, Taylor plays it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 36.3 : M Starc to Watling, Full and outside off, Watling drives this through mid off and gets a couple. |
| 36.4 : M Starc to Watling, Around middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 36.5 : M Starc to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.6 : M Starc to Watling, 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. |
| 37.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken. |
| 37.2 : Pat Cummins to Watling, Outside off, left alone. |
| 37.3 : Pat Cummins to Watling, 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 looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball kisses the outside edge and goes on to hit the stumps. Now, it all depends on Taylor to help the visitors avoid the follow-on. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is the new batsman in. |
| 37.4 : Pat Cummins to Grandhomme, Bouncer to start to de Grandhomme, it is bowled around middle, Colin does well to duck under it. |
| 37.5 : Pat Cummins to Grandhomme, Good length ball outside off, de Grandhomme pushes it to cover. |
| 37.6 : Pat Cummins to Grandhomme, 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. |
| 38.1 : M Starc to de Grandhomme, 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. |
| 38.2 : M Starc to Taylor, BOUNCER! Starc attempts a bouncer down the leg side, Taylor goes for the pull but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 38.3 : M Starc to Taylor, On a length on off, Taylor defends it off the back foot. |
| 38.4 : M Starc to Taylor, 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. |
| 38.5 : M Starc to Taylor, Short delivery outside off, Taylor attempts the pull but misses it completely. |
| 38.6 : M Starc to R Taylor, Another short one but this one is on middle, Taylor pulls it to square leg and picks up a single. |
| 39.1 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Taylor ducks under it. |
| 39.2 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, On a good length on middle, Taylor defends it towards short leg. |
| 39.3 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Bowls a bumper outside leg, Taylor does well to duck under it. |
| 39.4 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Bowls again a bouncer, Taylor easily ducks under it. |
| Short leg is in place now for Taylor. |
| 39.5 : Pat Cummins to Taylor, Short delivery on middle, Taylor pulls it through square leg for a single. |
| 0.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 0.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length ball around off, it is defended. |
| 0.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 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! |
| 0.4 : Tim Southee to Burns, In the channel outside off first up for the right-hander. Unlike Warner, Burns is not lured as he shoulders arms. |
| 0.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Another one outside off on a good length, Burns lets it be. Last ball before Lunch coming up. |
| 0.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and on middle, Burns pushes it towards mid on to see off the over. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 3. |
| 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. |
| ... Day 3, Session 2 ... |
| 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... |
| 1.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, 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. |
| de Grandhomme to Burns, Shortish ball outside off, pushed towards short third man with an angled bat. |
| 1.2 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Around off, it is defended. |
| 1.3 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 1.4 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Good length ball around off, Burns keeps it out. |
| 1.5 : de Grandhomme to Burns, In the channel outside off, Burns shoulders arms. |
| 1.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, 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. |
| Tim Southee to bowl from the other end. |
| 2.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Southee starts with a good length ball outside off, Warner has his stumps covered as he shoulders arms. |
| 2.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 2.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, Fuller and around off, it is defended off the front foot towards cover. |
| 2.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 2.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length ball around off, Warner keeps it out. |
| 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. |
| 2.6 : Tim Southee to Warner, In the channel outside off, Warner lets it be. |
| 3.1 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Shortish length ball around off, Burns taps it off the back foot onto the pitch. |
| 3.2 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Fuller one and on off, driven firmly but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 3.3 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 3.4 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Second leave in a row as de Grandhomme bowls it outside off on a good length. |
| 3.5 : de Grandhomme to Joe Burns, Fuller one, pushed towards cover. |
| 3.6 : de Grandhomme to Joe Burns, 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. |
| 4.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 4.2 : Tim Southee to Burns, Outside off on a good length, it shapes away as it goes past Burns who allows it to go to the keeper. |
| 4.3 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| 4.4 : Tim Southee to Burns, Around off, Burns comes forward and keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 4.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Good length ball angled into the right-hander. Burns punches it towards mid on. |
| 4.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, Shortish length ball, just outside off, Burns taps it towards gully. 20 balls and Burns is yet to get off the mark. |
| 5.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Beaten! Shortish length, not too wide off the off pole. Warner goes on the back foot to cut but makes no connection. |
| 5.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 5.3 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Good length ball around off, Warner taps it towards the off side and shouts a loud no to his partner. |
| 5.4 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Around off, this time Warner pushes it towards point and takes a quick run. |
| 5.5 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Good length ball around off, Burns pushes it towards mid off. |
| 5.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Outside off, it is left alone by Burns. |
| 6.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Fuller and outside off, Warner thinks to go for the drive but then curbs his instinct at the last moment. |
| 6.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Around off on a length, pushed towards cover. |
| 6.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, In the channel outside off again but it is on a length. Warner shoulders arms. |
| 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. |
| 6.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 6.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length ball just outside off, Warner defends it out. |
| 6.6 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 7.1 : de Grandhomme to Burns, On off, Burns keeps it out. |
| 7.2 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Landed on middle, Burns turns it towards square leg. |
| 7.3 : de Grandhomme to Burns, 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. |
| 7.4 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Length ball around off, Burns pushes it towards point. |
| 7.5 : de Grandhomme to Burns, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 7.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Full and on off, Burns drives it nicely but straight to mid off. |
| 8.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Shortish length ball, closer to off. Warner covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 8.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Around off on a good length, Warner defends it out. |
| 8.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length ball outside off, Warner lets it be. |
| 8.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 8.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 8.6 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 9.1 : de Grandhomme to Burns, On the pads, Burns guides it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 9.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, 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. |
| 9.3 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Another shortish length ball outside off, Warner this time is clear that he is going to let it go to the keeper. |
| 9.4 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 9.5 : de Grandhomme to Warner, 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. |
| 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. |
| 9.6 : Grandhomme to Warner, 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 |
| Neil Wagner is into the attack. |
| 10.1 : N Wagner to Joe Burns, 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. |
| 10.2 : N Wagner to Burns, On a length on middle, Joe defends it out off the back foot. |
| 10.3 : N Wagner to Burns, Good length ball outside off, Burns lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 10.4 : N Wagner to Burns, Fullish delivery outside off, Joe pushes it to covers for nothing. |
| 10.5 : N Wagner to Burns, Fuller one outside the off stump line, Burns does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 10.6 : N Wagner to Burns, This time goes full on middle does Wagner, Burns is solid in defense. |
| 11.1 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Full delivery on off, Warner punches this to mid off and shouts a loud no to Burns. |
| 11.2 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Good length ball on middle, Warner solidly blocks it out to mid on. |
| 11.3 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Fullish ball outside the off stump line, David lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 11.4 : de Grandhomme to Warner, BEATEN! Back of a length delivery outside off, Warner attempts the pull shot but misses to get any bat on it. |
| 11.5 : de Grandhomme to Warner, Back of a length ball on off, Warner pushes it towards the cover region and picks up a single. |
| 11.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, On a length outside off, Burns leaves it alone to the keeper. |
| 12.1 : N Wagner to Warner, Full delivery on middle, David defends it off the front foot to mid off. |
| 12.2 : N Wagner to Warner, Full delivery on middle, Warner pushes it to mid on. |
| 12.3 : N Wagner to Warner, On a length on middle and leg, Warner works it to mid-wicket. |
| 12.4 : N Wagner to Warner, Good length ball around off, David pushes it to cover. |
| 12.5 : N Wagner to Warner, Fullish delivery on middle, Warner tucks it to deep square leg and takes a single. |
| 12.6 : N Wagner to Burns, On middle, defended back to the bowler by Burns. |
| Tim Southee is back on! |
| 13.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 13.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length delivery on off, blocked to cover. |
| 13.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, Good length ball outside off, David lets the ball through to the keeper. |
| 13.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, Outside off, Warner makes another leave. |
| 13.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, Fullish ball on off, Warner is solid in defense and does so towards cover. |
| 13.6 : Tim Southee to Warner, Full delivery on middle and leg, Warner pushes it to mid on. Third maiden over for Southee. |
| 14.1 : N Wagner to Burns, 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. |
| 14.2 : N Wagner to Burns, On a length on off, Burns defends it to cover. |
| 14.3 : N Wagner to D Warner, 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? |
| 14.4 : N Wagner to Warner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.5 : N Wagner to Warner, BOUNCER! It is bowled around off, Warner lets it go to the keeper. |
| 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. |
| 14.6 : N Wagner to Warner, 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. |
| N Wagner to Warner, Another short one outside off, Warner looks to play the upper cut but misses it. |
| 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. |
| 15.1 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full delivery outside off, Burns lets it go to the keeper. |
| 15.2 : Tim Southee to Burns, Back of a length ball on middle, Joe defends it back to the bowler. |
| 15.3 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| 15.4 : Tim Southee to Joe Burns, Good length ball on off, Burns looks to defend it but it goes off the inside edge to the leg side. |
| 15.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| 15.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| 16.1 : N Wagner to Warner, Bowls a back of a length ball, but it is sprayed way down the leg side. Warner lets it be. |
| 16.2 : N Wagner to Warner, Shortish length ball on middle, Warner tucks it behind square leg and gets a run. |
| 16.3 : N Wagner to Burns, WIDE! Fullish and wide outside off, actually way outside off. Burns lets it be but Llong stretches his arms to signal it a wide. |
| N Wagner to Burns, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 16.4 : N Wagner to Joe Burns, Full and just outside off, Burns pushes it towards cover. That came from the toe end of the bat. |
| 16.5 : N Wagner to Burns, No Ball! Wagner oversteps again. He goes short and on middle again, Burns pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. |
| N Wagner to Warner, Another back of a length ball but down the leg side. Warner ducks under it. |
| 16.6 : N Wagner to Warner, 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. |
| N Wagner to Warner, Shortish ball around off, Warner taps it towards point for a single. |
| 17.1 : Tim Southee to Warner, Full delivery on off, Warner shouts wait on as he defends this out to the off side. |
| 17.2 : Tim Southee to Warner, Outside off, left alone by Warner. |
| 17.3 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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 deci |
| 17.4 : Tim Southee to Warner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 17.5 : Tim Southee to Warner, 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. |
| 17.6 : Southee to D Warner, 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 |
| 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. |
| 18.1 : N Wagner to Burns, FOUR! Brilliantly timed! Overpitched and outside off. Burns leans into the shot and drives it through cover-point. It races to the fence. |
| 18.2 : N Wagner to Burns, Shortish ball around middle, Joe hops in the crease and keeps it out. |
| 18.3 : N Wagner to Burns, 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. |
| 18.4 : N Wagner to Burns, Shortish on off again, Burns this time rides the bounce and defends it towards cover. |
| 18.5 : N Wagner to Burns, Another shortish length, pushed towards gully with an angled bat. |
| 18.6 : N Wagner to Burns, 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. |
| 19.1 : Tim Southee to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| 19.2 : Tim Southee to Joe Burns, 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. |
| 19.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 19.4 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and outside off, Burns drives it towards cover where de Grandhomme fumbles but it does not cost them a run. |
| 19.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Overpitched and outside off, Burns drives it nicely but straight to the mid off fielder. |
| 19.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, Full and outside off again, another nice looking drive straight to mid off again. |
| 20.1 : Wagner to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| 20.2 : N Wagner to Burns, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 20.3 : N Wagner to Burns, Short for Burns too. He pulls it towards deep square leg and takes a single. |
| 20.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Another short of a length ball, Labuschagne pushes it towards point. |
| 20.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 20.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Make that two leaves in a row. In the channel outside off, Marnus lets it be. |
| Mitchell Santner is into the attack for the first time. |
| 21.1 : M Santner to Burns, Starts with a tossed up ball outside off, Burns drives it to deep cover and picks up a single. |
| 21.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 21.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flighted ball on middle, Marnus comes down the track and flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 21.4 : M Santner to Burns, 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. |
| 21.5 : M Santner to Burns, Flatter delivery on middle, Burns defends it off the back foot. |
| 21.6 : M Santner to Burns, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 22.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 22.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Back of a length delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it off the back foot. |
| 22.3 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short ball on middle, Marnus pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| 22.4 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, On a length on off, ML rocks on his back foot and blocks it to cover. |
| 22.5 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short ball outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 22.6 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Another short one on middle, Marnus defends it back to Wagner. |
| 23.1 : M Santner to Burns, Flatter delivery on middle, Burns blocks it out onto the pitch. |
| 23.2 : M Santner to Burns, Floated ball down the leg side, Joe looks to flick it but misses it. |
| 23.3 : M Santner to Burns, 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. |
| 23.4 : M Santner to Burns, Flatter delivery on the pads, Joe looks to work it down the leg side but gets hit on the pads. |
| 23.5 : M Santner to Burns, 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. |
| 23.6 : M Santner to Burns, On a length on off, pushed towards point. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is back on. 6-1-11-0 are his figures so far. |
| 24.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Fullish length ball just outside off. Labuschagne lets it be. |
| 24.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Shortish length ball, closer to off pole again. Labuschagne has his stumps covered as he allows the ball go to the keeper. |
| 24.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Another short ball outside off, Labuschagne cuts it through gully and picks a couple. |
| 24.4 : de Grandhomme to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| 24.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Around off, Labuschagne keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 24.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Shortish ball around off, Labuschagne taps it back to the bowler. |
| 25.1 : M Santner to Burns, Flatter delivery on the pads, Burns attempts to work it on the leg side but gets hit on the pads. |
| 25.2 : M Santner to Burns, Floated delivery on the pads, Burns sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 25.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 25.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Full delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 25.5 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Flatter delivery outside off, ML punches it to deep cover and picks up a couple. |
| 25.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, On middle, flicked to deep square leg and picks up a single. |
| 26.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full delivery on off, Marnus drives it to mid off for nothing. |
| 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. |
| 26.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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 |
| 26.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne looks to drive it but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 26.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.5 : de Grandhomme to Joe Burns, Dropped short! Short delivery on middle, Burns pulls it uppishly but it goes on the bounce to the square leg fielder. |
| 26.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Around off, solidly defended. TEA ON DAY 2, AUS LEAD BY 325! |
| 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 |
| ... Day 3, Session 3 ... |
| 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. |
| 27.1 : M Santner to Burns, 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. |
| 27.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Gives this one a lot of air and lands it around off again. Labuschagne blocks it out nicely. |
| 27.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Slightly quicker and on middle, Labuschagne turns it with the spin towards square leg for a run. |
| 27.4 : M Santner to Burns, Another ball on middle, Burns this time works it towards square leg and crosses for a run. |
| 27.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Around off, it is defended. |
| 27.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Nicely bowled! Fires this one on the stumps line, Labuschagne gets his bat down in time to keep it out. |
| Colin de Grandhomme to bowl from the other end. 8-1-15-0 are his figures so far. |
| 28.1 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Good length ball on middle, worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 28.2 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Fuller and outside off, Burns leans and pushes it towards cover for a single. |
| 28.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length ball just outside off, Marnus lets it be. |
| 28.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Landed around off, Labuschagne keeps it out. |
| 28.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Fuller and around off, Labuschagne drives well but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 28.6 : de Grandhomme to M Labuschagne, Full and on off again, ML this time drives it to mid on. |
| 29.1 : M Santner to Burns, Full delivery on off, Burns drives it to covers. |
| 29.2 : M Santner to Burns, Floated delivery on off, Burns plays it towards covers for a run. |
| 29.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Tossed up delivery on off, Labuschagne comes down the track and plays it back towards the bowler. |
| 29.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flighted delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 29.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Loopy delivery on off, Marnus punches it towards point for a single. |
| 29.6 : M Santner to Burns, Tossed up delivery on middle, Burns keeps it out. |
| 30.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Full on off, driven firmly by Labuschagne but straight to the cover fielder again. |
| 30.2 : de Grandhomme to M Labuschagne, 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. |
| de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 30.3 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Outside off, it is left alone. |
| 30.4 : de Grandhomme to Burns, 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. |
| de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 30.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Fullish and outside off, Burns keeps it out. |
| 31.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 31.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, On middle, turned towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 31.3 : M Santner to Burns, Full and around off, Burns comes forward and keeps it out. |
| 31.4 : M Santner to Joe Burns, 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. |
| 31.5 : M Santner to Burns, 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. |
| 31.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter around off, Labuschagne keeps it out. |
| 32.1 : de Grandhomme to Burns, On a length on middle, Burns flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 32.2 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Length delivery on off, Burns plays it to point. |
| 32.3 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Good length delivery on off, Burns defends it out. |
| 32.4 : de Grandhomme to Burns, On a good length on middle, Joe defends it off the front foot. |
| 32.5 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Outside off, Burns offers no shot to this one. |
| 32.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Good length delivery on middle, Burns keeps it out. |
| Tim Southee back on. Searching for his second. |
| 33.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, On a good length on off, Labuschagne defends it off the front foot. |
| 33.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Good length delivery on off, Labuschagne defends it out. |
| 33.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 33.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 33.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Short and outside off, Burns cuts it through point. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 33.6 : Tim Southee to Joe Burns, Full delivery outside off, Burns drives it through covers. Two runs taken. |
| 34.1 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, On a length on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 34.2 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Good length delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it out. |
| 34.3 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, On a length on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 34.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 34.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one. |
| 34.6 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Again outside off, Labuschagne lets it go. |
| 35.1 : Tim Southee to Burns, Good length ball just outside off, Burns guides it towards third man and gets three closer to his half ton. |
| 35.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Nicely bowled! Bouncer on middle, Labuschagne does well to sway away from it. |
| 35.3 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 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. |
| 35.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Short of a length delivery, Labuschagne pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single. |
| 35.5 : Tim Southee to Burns, Length delivery outside off, Burns guides it towards point for a run. |
| 35.6 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Outside off, Marnus offers no shot to this one. |
| 36.1 : de Grandhomme to Burns, 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. |
| 36.2 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Outside off, Burns pushes it to point. |
| 36.3 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Good length ball on off, Burns looks to defend it but it goes off the inside edge past the stumps. A single taken. |
| 36.4 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 36.5 : de Grandhomme to Labuschagne, Short ball on middle, Labuschagne pulls it to fine leg and takes a single. |
| 36.6 : de Grandhomme to Burns, Full delivery on off, pushed to point. |
| 37.1 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Brilliant running between the wickets! On a length on middle, Labuschagne flicks it through mid-wicket. He calls for two and Burns responds quickly. |
| 37.2 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Short ball on middle, Marnus pulls it towards deep square leg for a single now. |
| 37.3 : Tim Southee to Burns, 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. |
| 37.4 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Outside off, left alone. |
| 37.5 : Tim Southee to Labuschagne, Around off this one, tucked towards the leg side and a quick run taken. |
| 37.6 : Tim Southee to Burns, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| Neil Wagner comes back on! 7-0-25-0 are his figures so far. |
| 38.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Back of a length ball on middle, Marnus pulls it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 38.2 : N Wagner to Burns, 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. |
| 38.3 : N Wagner to Burns, Another bouncer! Burns ducks under it. |
| 38.4 : N Wagner to Burns, Another back of a length ball outside off, Burns lets it be again. |
| 38.5 : N Wagner to Burns, Fuller and just around off, tapped towards point. |
| 38.6 : N Wagner to Burns, Wagner looks to bowl another short ball but this one does not rise enough. Burns does well to keep it out. |
| Mitchell Santner to bowl now. |
| 39.1 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Santner flights it and bowls it around off, ML pushes it back to Santner. |
| 39.2 : M Santner to Labuschagne, On the pads, worked towards short fine leg. |
| 39.3 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Another ball on the pads, Labuschagne flicks it but straight to fine leg. |
| 39.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Full and on middle, this time Labuschagne sweeps it past the diving short fine leg fielder for a couple of runs. |
| 39.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Flatter one around off this one, pushed towards mid on. |
| 39.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Fuller and around off, turned towards right of mid-wicket for a single. 3 away from another half ton. |
| 40.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, WIDE! Another extra, third wide from Wagner. He goes short again but way over the head of the batter. Called wide. |
| N Wagner to Labuschagne, Short again, pushed towards mid on for a single. |
| 40.2 : N Wagner to Burns, Short on middle, pulled towards mid-wicket. |
| 40.3 : N Wagner to Burns, Another ball which does not bounce! It pitches on shortish length but does not rise. Burns does well to defend it out. |
| 40.4 : N Wagner to Joe Burns, 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. |
| N Wagner to Burns, Full and on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 40.5 : N Wagner to Burns, Full and around off and middle this time, Burns pushes it towards the leg side. |
| 40.6 : N Wagner to Burns, Just behind good length and outside off, pushed towards gully with an angled bat. |
| 41.1 : M Santner to M Labuschagne, Flighted delivery on middle, Burns drives it to long on for a single. |
| 41.2 : M Santner to Burns, Tossed up delivery on middle, Burns defends it out. |
| 41.3 : M Santner to Joe Burns, Full delivery on middle, Burns drives it through mid on. The batsmen take a single. |
| Run out appeal taken upstairs. Looks safe. It is safe. |
| 41.4 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 41.5 : M Santner to Labuschagne, Shortish and on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 41.6 : M Santner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 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 |
| 42.1 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, Bouncer and around off, Marnus blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 42.2 : N Wagner to Labuschagne, 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. |
| 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. |
| 42.3 : N Wagner to Smith, Good length ball around off, Smith defends it out coming forward. |
| 42.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Down the leg side. Smith comes across the off pole and allows the ball go through to the keeper. |
| 42.5 : N Wagner to Smith, On middle, Smith turns it behind square leg for a single to get off the mark. |
| 42.6 : N Wagner to Burns, Bumper but outside off, Burns lets it be. |
| Tim Southee is back on. 12-4-39-1 are his figures so far. |
| 43.1 : Tim Southee to Smith, Full and on middle, Smith pushes it towards mid on off the front foot. |
| 43.2 : Tim Southee to Smith, Outside off, Smith lets it be. |
| 43.3 : Tim Southee to Smith, Another ball outside off, Smith makes another leave. |
| 43.4 : Tim Southee to Smith, Good length ball around off, tapped towards point. |
| 43.5 : Tim Southee to Smith, 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. |
| 43.6 : Tim Southee to Smith, 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. |
| 44.1 : N Wagner to Burns, Good length ball around off, Burns pushes it back to the bowler who gets to his right and fields. |
| 44.2 : N Wagner to Burns, Short of a length ball on middle, pulled behind square for a single. |
| 44.3 : N Wagner to Smith, Bouncer on middle, Smith ducks under it. |
| 44.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Another short of a length ball but down the leg side. Smith lets it go to the keeper. |
| 44.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Full and on off, Smith flicks it towards mid-wicket where Santner misfields and allows a single. |
| 44.6 : N Wagner to Burns, Shortish and outside off, cut towards gully where the fielder does well to move to his right and field. |
| 45.1 : Tim Southee to Smith, On middle, turned towards square leg. |
| 45.2 : Tim Southee to Smith, Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Smith sways away from it. |
| 45.3 : Tim Southee to S Smith, WIDE! Bowls a bumper again, Smith ducks under it. The umpire gives it wide for height. |
| Tim Southee to Smith, 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. |
| 45.4 : Tim Southee to Smith, 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. |
| 45.5 : Tim Southee to Smith, 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. |
| 45.6 : Tim Southee to Smith, Length delivery on middle, Steven nudges it towards square leg. |
| 46.1 : N Wagner to Burns, Back of a length ball around off, Burns pulls it towards mid-wicket. |
| 46.2 : N Wagner to Burns, Another shortish length ball outside off, Burns cuts it through point for a single. |
| 46.3 : N Wagner to Smith, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 46.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Outside off, left alone. |
| 46.5 : N Wagner to Smith, Back of a length ball, Smith blocks it towards the leg side. |
| 46.6 : N Wagner to S Smith, Short again, this time Smith goes for the pull but misses out to time it well. |
| 47.1 : Tim Southee to Burns, Length delivery down the leg side, Burns looks to flick but misses it. |
| 47.2 : Tim Southee to Joe Burns, 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. |
| Matthew Wade is the next batsman in. |
| 47.3 : Tim Southee to Wade, Bouncer straight up to Wade! He does well to evade it. |
| 47.4 : Tim Southee to Wade, Wade goes back in his crease and defends this length ball off the back foot. |
| 47.5 : Tim Southee to Wade, Bouncer again to Wade, he ducks under it this time. |
| 47.6 : Tim Southee to Wade, Length ball outside off, Wade opts to leave this one. |
| 48.1 : N Wagner to Smith, Length delivery on off, Smith taps it to point. |
| 48.2 : N Wagner to Smith, Short of a length delivery on middle, Smith looks to defend but gets hit on the glove. |
| 48.3 : N Wagner to S Smith, Short again on leg, Smith pulls it to short fine leg. |
| 48.4 : N Wagner to Smith, Short delivery on middle, Smith pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 48.5 : N Wagner to Wade, Bowls a bouncer, Wade easily ducks under it. |
| 48.6 : N Wagner to Wade, On a good length on off, Wade defends it off the back foot. |
| 49.1 : Tim Southee to Smith, Short delivery on leg, Smith pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. Australia are effectively 400/3. |
| 49.2 : Tim Southee to Wade, On a good length on off, Wade defends it off the back foot. |
| 49.3 : Tim Southee to Wade, Good length delivery on middle, Wade keeps it out. |
| 49.4 : Tim Southee to Wade, 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. |
| 49.5 : Tim Southee to Wade, Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Wade ducks under it. |
| 49.6 : Tim Southee to Wade, Outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one. |
| 50.1 : N Wagner to S Smith, 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. |
| 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. |
| 50.2 : N Wagner to Head, Down the leg side, Head looks to flick it fine down the leg side but misses. |
| 50.3 : N Wagner to Head, On the pads again, Head flicks it towards the square leg region and takes a single to get off the mark. |
| 50.4 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 50.5 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 50.6 : N Wagner to Wade, Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under. |
| 51.1 : Tim Southee to Head, Short delivery on leg, Head nudges it towards the leg side. |
| 51.2 : Tim Southee to Head, Good length delivery on off, Head defends it off the back foot. |
| 51.3 : Tim Southee to Head, FOUR! Nicely played! Short delivery on leg angled into the ribs, Travis flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary. |
| 51.4 : Tim Southee to Head, On a length on middle, Head nudges it towards the leg side. |
| 51.5 : Tim Southee to Head, Bowls a bouncer, Head lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 51.6 : Tim Southee to T Head, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Head sways away from it. The umpire gives it wide for height. |
| Tim Southee to Head, 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. |
| Tim Paine, the skipper, walks out to bat next. |
| 52.1 : N Wagner to Wade, Length ball down the leg side, worked towards the leg side. |
| 52.2 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 52.3 : N Wagner to Wade, Knuckle ball by Wagner, it is a full toss on the pads. Wade flicks this one towards mid-wicket. |
| 52.4 : Wagner to Wade, Wagner follows up the misdirected knuckle ball beautifully by bowling a perfect yorker on the off pole. Wade does well to dig it out. |
| 52.5 : N Wagner to Wade, Bouncer again, Wade evades it. |
| 52.6 : N Wagner to Wade, Another bouncer, Wade is not able to get his bat at it and is hit on the body. |
| 53.1 : Tim Southee to Paine, BOUNCER! It is bowled around leg stump, Paine ducks under it. |
| 53.2 : Southee to Tim Paine, 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? |
| Pat Cummins is the new batsman in. |
| 53.3 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Good length ball down the leg side, Cummins looks to flick but misses it. |
| 53.4 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Short ball around middle, Cummins is ready for it and ducks under it. |
| 53.5 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Fullish ball down the leg side again, Pat looks to flick it but fails to put any bat on it. |
| 53.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Back of a length ball on the pads, Cummins tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 54.1 : N Wagner to Wade, Full toss on off, Wade plays it to covers. |
| 54.2 : N Wagner to M Wade, Full delivery on off, Wade drives it to covers again. |
| 54.3 : N Wagner to Wade, On a good length on middle, Wade blocks it off the front foot. |
| 54.4 : N Wagner to Wade, Bowls a bouncer, Wade lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 54.5 : N Wagner to Wade, Bowls a bouncer outside off, Wade sways away from it. |
| 54.6 : N Wagner to Wade, Bowls a bumper again, Wade ducks under it. |
| 55.1 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Short delivery on leg, Cummins flicks it just past short leg. |
| 55.2 : Tim Southee to Cummins, On a good length on middle, Cummins defends it off the front foot. |
| 55.3 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Good length delivery on middle, Cummins defends it off the back foot. |
| 55.4 : Southee to Cummins, Bowls a yorker on middle, Cummins does well to dig it out. |
| 55.5 : Tim Southee to Pat Cummins, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Cummins easily ducks under it. |
| Tim Southee to Cummins, On a length on middle, Cummins flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 55.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, On a good length on off, Cummins blocks it off the front foot. |
| 56.1 : N Wagner to Wade, FOUR! Full toss on leg, Wade flicks it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 56.2 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 56.3 : N Wagner to Cummins, BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Cummins looks to drive it but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 56.4 : N Wagner to Cummins, Back of a length ball on middle, Cummins flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single. |
| 56.5 : N Wagner to M Wade, 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. |
| 56.6 : N Wagner to Wade, Full delivery on middle, Wade defends it back to the bowler. STUMPS ON DAY 3. |
| 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! |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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! |
| ... DAY 4, FINAL DAY? ... |
| 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 M |
| 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? |
| 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... |
| 57.1 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, A bouncer to start the day, Cummins ducks. |
| 57.2 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 57.3 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 57.4 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Another bouncer, around middle, Pat ducks. |
| 57.5 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, 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. |
| 57.6 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, First runs of the day. Full and down the leg side, Cummins tickles it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| Neil Wagner to bowl from the other end. 17-2-40-2 so far. |
| 58.1 : N Wagner to Wade, A bouncer, on middle, Wade ducks. |
| 58.2 : N Wagner to Wade, Another bouncer, around middle and off, Matthew ducks again. |
| 58.3 : N Wagner to Wade, Full and around middle and leg, tucked towards short leg. |
| 58.4 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 58.5 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 58.6 : N Wagner to Wade, Down the leg side again, left alone. |
| 59.1 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, 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. |
| 59.2 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Around middle worked wide of mid on for a couple. The lead is now 421. The stand moves to 11. |
| 59.3 : de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins, 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. |
| 59.4 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 59.5 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Outside off, quietly left alone. |
| 59.6 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, One more leave outside off. De Grandhomme, as usual, testing the patience of the batsman. |
| 60.1 : N Wagner to Wade, A bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under. |
| 60.2 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 60.3 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 60.4 : N Wagner to Wade, Down the leg side, Matthew lets it go again. That was not far from the elbow. |
| 60.5 : N Wagner to Wade, Full toss now, MW misses out, flicking it straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 60.6 : N Wagner to Wade, A bouncer to finish, around leg, Wade ducks again. |
| 61.1 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 61.2 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, FOUR! A bit too straight. Angling onto the pads, Cummins is alert and tickles it to the fine leg fence. |
| 61.3 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, 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. |
| Point goes back now. |
| 61.4 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Full and straight, around off, pushed down the track. |
| 61.5 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, Outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 61.6 : de Grandhomme to Cummins, A bouncer to end the over, outside off, Pat sways away. So we are back to the Wagner-Wade duel. |
| 62.1 : N Wagner to Wade, Expectantly, a short ball, down the leg side, Wade offers no short and is hit on the left arm. |
| 62.2 : N Wagner to Wade, Full and around middle, watchfully defended. |
| 62.3 : N Wagner to Wade, A short ball, around middle and leg, Matthew looks to shoulder arms and is hit right on the bread basket! |
| 62.4 : N Wagner to Wade, 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. |
| 62.5 : N Wagner to Cummins, 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. |
| 62.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, 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. |
| Mitchell Starc comes in to face the short ball music. |
| 63.1 : de Grandhomme to Wade, Outside off, left alone. |
| 63.2 : de Grandhomme to Wade, 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! |
| 63.3 : de Grandhomme to Wade, Outside off, left alone. |
| 63.4 : de Grandhomme to Wade, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 63.5 : de Grandhomme to M Wade, 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. |
| de Grandhomme to Wade, 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. |
| Nathan Lyon walks out now. Could be the last man in. |
| 63.6 : de Grandhomme to Lyon, Full and around middle, pushed down the ground. |
| 64.1 : N Wagner to Starc, Full ball, for a change from Wagner, outside leg, Starc misses his flick and is hit on the pads. |
| 64.2 : N Wagner to Starc, Down the leg side, left alone. |
| 64.3 : N Wagner to Starc, Around off, defended solidly. |
| 64.4 : N Wagner to Starc, Another one down the leg side, shorter as well, left alone. |
| 64.5 : N Wagner to Starc, 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. |
| 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. |
| 64.6 : N Wagner to Starc, A short ball outside off, pulled wide of mid on for three runs. The lead is now 442. |
| 65.1 : Tim Southee to Starc, Outside off, left alone. |
| 65.2 : Tim Southee to Starc, FOUR! A length ball outside off, Starc just heaves it over mid off and clears the man. A bounce and into the fence. |
| 65.3 : Tim Southee to Starc, Full and outside off, flayed through the covers for a single. |
| 65.4 : Tim Southee to Lyon, Down the leg side, Lyon misses his tuck and is hit on the box. Ouch. |
| 65.5 : Tim Southee to Lyon, Around off, pushed towards cover. |
| 65.6 : Tim Southee to Lyon, Full and around off, well blocked out. |
| 66.1 : N Wagner to Starc, 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. |
| 66.2 : N Wagner to Starc, 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. |
| A man goes out to deep mid-wicket. |
| 66.3 : N Wagner to Starc, Around middle and leg, tucked wide of short leg, towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 66.4 : N Wagner to Lyon, A length ball, around middle, defended towards silly point. |
| 66.5 : N Wagner to Lyon, A short ball now, around leg, Nathan fens it down in front of short leg. |
| 66.6 : N Wagner to Lyon, 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. |
| 67.1 : Tim Southee to M Starc, No run. |
| 67.2 : Tim Southee to Starc, No run. |
| 67.3 : Tim Southee to Starc, 1 run. |
| 67.4 : Tim Southee to Lyon, No run. |
| 67.5 : Tim Southee to Lyon, No run. |
| 67.6 : Tim Southee to Lyon, No run. |
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