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Day 2 saw a mixed bag for both sides in what was quite an entertaining contest with some swings in momentum.
It’s been the tale of two batsmen so far in this test. While yesterday belonged to Brendon McCullum, Day 2 belonged to Joe Burns, smashing an incredible 170 runs and sending a strong message to the Australian selectors.
It was a full house at Hagley Oval with the sun shining over Christchurch from morning until stumps.
New Zealand made the early breakthrough of Day 2, with Trent Boult dismissing Usman Khawaja for 24 runs after he and Joe Burns were beginning to build a partnership.
However from then on it was all Australia as Steve Smith and Joe Burns combined for a record partnership against New Zealand as both batsmen made centuries and the Aussies took control of the contest.
It looked as though Australia would end the day quite comfortably, until both Burns and Smith fell to Wagner in the last few overs, which will give the Black Caps some confidence ahead of Day 3.
Nathan Lyon was sent in as a night watchman alongside Adam Voges who were both able to see out the rest of the day despite an aggressive New Zealand outfit.
Australia will head into Day 3 still trailing by seven runs.
Scores at end of day
New Zealand 370
Australia 3/363
Australia have an enormous task ahead of them if they are to defeat New Zealand after a quickfire century from retiring Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum paved the way for a significant total on Day 1. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, resuming at 8:30am AEDT.
In the last Test of his career McCullum became a record-breaker, putting together the fastest century in the history of Test cricket on the first day at Hagley Park.
McCullum put together a triple-figure score off just 54 balls, surpassing the previous record of 56, held jointly by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq.
McCullum’s eventual total of 145 was the steadier in an otherwise shaky innings from the home side in which just two other batsman scored more than 21 runs.
The first four batsman in the order Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls fell for a combined total of 36 runs. However, the middle order of McCullum, Corey Anderson and BJ Watling came to the rescue, with the latter two putting on 72 and 58 runs respectively.
Once Anderson fell Watling was left at the crease with a series of partners who struggled to stay in the game and as a result the team lasted less than 20 overs after Anderson’s wicket fell, ultimately recording a total of 370.
Nathan Lyon took three wickets including the crucial one of Anderson, while Josh Hazlewood, James Pattison and Jackson Bird took two a piece, Mitch Marsh rounding out the full ten.
Australia then came in for their first turn at the bat and got 20 overs in before stumps. David Warner was the only casualty, gone for 12 runs, but by stumps Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja had put together a 32-run partnership, on 27 not out and 18 not out respectively.
All in all it leaves Australia in an interesting position. If wickets continue to fall at a relatively fast rate we will no doubt get a result in this Test – but in which direction?
New Zealand are currently the narrow favourites with betting companies, but that could change radically by the end of Day 2 if Australia can put together a solid innings and take the lead.
Given the importance of McCullum’s knock to the New Zealand innings, one has to wonder how they will fare in their second turn with the bat. If McCullum or one of his teammates can repeat that performance it could guide the Black Caps to a victory. If not – advantage, Australia.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, resuming at 8:30am AEDT.
Listen to the Test on WhiteLine Wireless. WhiteLineWireless is on Mixlr
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