Published: Feb 23, 2016, 10:37 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 23, 2016, 10:50 AM (IST)
Just when New Zealand were taking the game on their hand, Australia snatched the opportunity and restricted New Zealand to 335 on Day 4 of 2nd Test. Australia started off their innings and were going with the right momentum until Neil Wagner came into attack once again and grabbed the wicket of David Warner for 22. Usman Khawaja entered just few overs before Day 4 came to an end and Joe Burns continued to play his shots until the end of the day. Joe Burns will definitely be looking to create yet another milestone and considering Day 5 is just around the corner, Australia will want to win this. Australia requires 131 runs to go pass New Zealand lead of 200 runs. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test at Christchurch
Earlier in the day, Kane Williamson stood out for his magnificent innings of 97 from 210 balls and missed his chance to score his 14th Test century as Jackson Bird picked grabbed the wicket. Bird stood out for Australia has he showed some best figures of 5 for 59 and James Pattinson got hold of 4 for 77. After fall of Kane Williamson, Matt Henry and BJ Watling were playing incredible innings with Henry completing his maiden Test half-century while BJ Watling missed his chance of 2nd consecutive half-century against Australia in this Test series. Day 4 somewhere belonged to Williamson for his patience and keeping the momentum alive for New Zealand until lunch. READ: Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood face ugly confrontation with umpire on Day 4 of 2nd Test at Christchurch
After lunch and until tea the game belonged to Henry and Watling. Williamson was the wicket Australia wanted most and emotions boiled over in the last over before lunch when a Josh Hazlewood lbw appeal was rejected. After the Australian review failed with evidence of bat on ball, the Australian players converged on the umpires and the stumps microphone picked up an obscenity from Hazlewood. The audio was later posted on social media. Australia’s stated aim before the Test was to win or at least the draw the Test which would put them on top of the world rankings. (Inputs from AFP)
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 370 (Brendon McCullum 145; Nathan Lyon 3 for 61) and 335 (Kane Williamson 97, Corey Anderson 40, BJ Watling 48, Matt Henry 66; James Pattinson 4 for 77, Jackson Bird 5 for 59) lead Australia 505 (Joe Burns 170, Steven Smith 138; Neil Wagner 6 for 106) and 70 for 1 (Joe Burns 27*, David Warner 22, Usman Khawaja 19*; Neil Wagner 1 for 13) by 131 runs.
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test at Christchurch
