Australia have a 419 run lead at the close of the second day of the Test at the WACA, leaving New Zealand with a huge task ahead of them.
REPORT: AUSSIES LEAVE BLACK CAPS WITH PLENTY TO DO
Australia declared at 9/559 after losing David Warner early in the day on 253 runs. Another six wickets followed before the Aussies sent New Zealand in to bat.
Mitch Starc felled Martin Guptill leg before wicket early in New Zealand’s innings and Tom Latham was also taken before the end of play.
The Black Caps closed the day with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the crease, on 2/140.
Williamson’s wicket looms as the vital one for Australia to target when play resumes on Sunday as they look to blast through the New Zealand batting order, and possibly enforce a follow-on.
Scores at end of day
Australia 9/559d
New Zealand 2/140
Australia hold an enormous advantage over New Zealand at the beginning of the second day of the Test at the WACA. Join The Roar for a live blog of all the action from Day 2 at 1:30pm AEDT.
The Aussies got off to a blistering start on the first day of the Test and there was little that the Black Caps could do to contain them.
Joe Burns and David Warner put up a 101-run partnership before Burns was bowled by Matt Henry, but with Usman Khawaja joining Warner at the crease, the Black Caps found themselves unable to resist a dominant display.
Khawaja knocked up 121 runs off 186 balls before being caught by Tom Latham shortly before the end of play.
However it was David Warner who was truly at the top of his game, notching 244 runs off 272 balls and still at the crease on the end of the first day.
Steve Smith partners him when play resumes on Day 2, with five runs to his name off twelve balls faced so far.
Australia come into the second day at 2/416 and depending on how the morning session goes there’s a good chance they’ll declare at some point today in order to begin working over the New Zealand batsmen.
However it won’t be before a Warner wicket falls as the side will no doubt want to let him keep going as long as possible to see just how big he can go.
Khawaja said after play ended that he believed Warner could rival Brian Lara’s 400 if he keeps up his form.
But even if he were to fall on the first ball of the day you’d still say it’s been an immensely good knock from Warner, and it’s put Australia in the box seat to win the second Test and clinch the series.
Bracewell was the best of New Zealand’s bowlers on the first day, taking Khawaja’s wicket and recording an economy of 3.56, the lowest of any to bowl ten or more overs.
Tim Southee was able to keep under four runs an over as well but couldn’t break through for a wicket in his 19 overs.
Join The Roar for a live blog of Day 2 of the Test at the WACA from 1:30pm AEDT.
john neeson
Guest
why do Smith and Warner play in the slips when they are Aussies best fielders?
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
STUMPS - NZ 2/140 - Williamson 70 Taylor on 26 Starc and Lyon are the wicket takers for Australia.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Last over of the day coming up Starc to bowl it. Williamson 70 Taylor 26 NZ 2/140
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Starc in for one last spell before stumps.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
LOUD appeal as Williamson plays across the line but ball just missing leg. Williamson just finding it hard to concentrate. Still 15mins to stumps. Hazlewood getting a touch of reverse.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Superb on drive by Taylor for FOUR. NZ 2/129 - Taylor 25 Williamson 60
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
FOUR - Soft hands by Williamson as he watches ball come on to the ball and just places it wide of gully down to 3rd man NZ 2/119 - Taylor 15 Williamson 60
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Hazlewood is back into the attack now. Around 30mins to stumps.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
FIFTY for Williamson. Johnson pitches up and he stands and executes a flowing drive through the covers. NZ 2/111 - Williamson 53 Taylor 14
Nate
Guest
For all that's been said about the aging WACA recently, the pictures of kids playing cricket on the hill while the test players are in the background were a joy to see. A bit of a throwback in these times of massive grandstands and modern facilities.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Williamson gets another short ball that whips of the back foot for a couple to take him to 49.
Nudge
Guest
Nathan Lyon is a joy to watch bowl. The amount of flak he's copped on the roar has been huge over the years. Right at this moment he's the third most important player in this team behind Warner and Smith
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
100 UP for the Black Caps. 2/100 Williamson 46 Taylor 10
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
FOUR - Lyon overpitches and Taylor drives him through the covers.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
FOUR - Taylor pulls out the slog sweep and connects well against Lyon. NZ 2/95 - Taylor 6 Williamson 45
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
JOhnson back over the wicket to Taylor, 3 slips, a gully and short leg.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
JOhnson bowling around the wicket to Williamson. Replay confirm the ball hit outside the line and also bouncing over.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
LOUD appeal as Williamson attempts a sweep and is hit on the pad. Impact probably outside off-stump and SMith decides it NOT worth to reviewing. Johnson comes in to the attack.
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
WICKET - Lyon has done it. Latham pushes at a ball that turns, it gets edge and safely taken by Smith at 1st slip. NZ 2/87
gavjoshi
Roar Guru
Lyon into the attack and he dishes out a long hop which Latham dispatches for FOUR