Openers David Warner and Phillip Hughes made a breezy start to Australia's chase for 241 runs to win the second Test against New Zealand on the third day at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.
Published: Dec 11, 2011, 11:56 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 11, 2011, 11:56 AM (IST)
Phil Hughes (L) and David Warner walk back to pavilion during lunch on the third day © Getty Images
Hobart: Dec 11, 2011
Openers David Warner and Phillip Hughes made a breezy start to Australia’s chase for 241 runs to win the second Test against New Zealand on the third day at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.
At tea, the Australians were 72 without loss with Warner on 47 off 50 balls and Hughes not out 20.
Both New South Wales left-handers had few concerns although “hot spot” replays indicated that Hughes may have gloved a catch leg-side to wicketkeeper Reece Young off Chris Martin before he had scored, but the Kiwis did not seek a review.
Hughes is seeking a big innings to ease pressure on his Test spot after three cheap dismissals caught behind the wicket off Martin’s bowling during the series.
The Kiwis, leading by 14 runs on the first innings, lost seven wickets for 87 in the extended morning session to be all out for 226 at lunch after resuming the day at 139/3.
Australia are looking to wrap up a 2-0 series victory after hammering New Zealand by nine wickets in the first Test in Brisbane.
The Black Caps unravelled after the loss of skipper Ross Taylor and Dean Brownlie, with their frail tail throwing the bat at the Australian bowlers.
James Pattinson (3/54), Peter Siddle (3/66) and spinner Nathan Lyon (3/25) shared the wickets.
Taylor top scored with 56 off 169 balls but once he departed along with first innings top scorer Brownlie (21), the Kiwi innings collapsed.
Kane Williamson was out on the third ball of the day, brilliantly caught by a diving Ricky Ponting at second slip off Siddle for 34.
Taylor was dropped on 48 in a sharp caught and bowled chance by Pattinson before he brought up his 15th Test half-century off the next ball.
But Taylor’s resistance ended in the 63rd over when he nicked a Pattinson outswinger to Michael Clarke at first slip.
Brownlie, who was hit on the left hand by a Mitchell Starc delivery, tried to get out of the way off a Pattinson bouncer only to be caught behind off the back of his bat for 21.
New Zealand were into their tail, minus injured all-rounder Daniel Vettori, as they sought enough runs to defend in the fourth innings of the Test.
Wicketkeeper Young was out 15 minutes before lunch, lbw to Siddle for nine, but Tim Southee (13), Doug Bracewell (4) and Trent Boult (21) were out slogging spinner Lyon.
A total of 30 wickets have fallen in eight sessions with a result possible on the third day if rain does not intervene. (AFP)
Brief Scores: New Zealand 150 & 226 (Ross Taylor 56, Kane Williamson 34; Nathan Lyon 3 for 25, James Pattinson 3 for 54, Peter Siddle 3 for 66) lead Australia 136 (Peter Siddle 36, Michael Clarke 22; Doug Bracewell 3 for 20, Chris Martin 3 for 46) & 72 for no loss (David Warner 47*, Phil Hughes 20*) by 169 runs.
