Bowlers, Williamson keep NZ alive

After Australia had declared their first innings at 559 for nine, New Zealand were 140 for two in reply on a sedate pitch. At one stage Australia were 512 for four, but they collapsed after lunch with spinner Craig (3 for 123) on a hat-trick, as the wickets tumbled in the quest for quick runs.

Published : Nov 14, 2015 17:53 IST , Perth

Kane Williamson attempts to execute a drive in his unbeaten 70 on Day Two in Perth.
Kane Williamson attempts to execute a drive in his unbeaten 70 on Day Two in Perth.
lightbox-info

Kane Williamson attempts to execute a drive in his unbeaten 70 on Day Two in Perth.

In-form batsman Kane Williamson carried New Zealand hopes with another fighting half-century at stumps on the second day of the second Test at the WACA Ground on Saturday. After Australia had declared their first innings at 559 for nine, New Zealand were 140 for two in reply on a sedate pitch.

Williamson was unbeaten on 70, with Ross Taylor on 26 not out, the pair having added 53 runs. But the Kiwis still trailed by 419 runs with eight wickets in hand. Put in to bat around 40 minutes before tea, the Kiwis lost both their openers.

Martin Guptill was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc for one when the score was six. Tom Latham looked solid in constructing 36, but Australian captain Steve Smith was rewarded for his decision to bring off-spinner Nathan Lyon back into the attack. Lyon removed Latham in his first over after Tea with Smith taking a sharp catch low to his left.

Williamson again looked in total control after scoring 140 and 59 in Brisbane, and his only moments of concern came when his concentration appeared to waver during a short spell by all-rounder Mitchell Marsh provoking him to play a couple of false shots.

Hamstring injury

One significant setback for Australia during the second day was an apparent hamstring injury suffered by first-innings’ centurion Usman Khawaja. The 28-year-old, who has scored centuries in the two Tests against the Kiwis and made 121 on Friday, pulled up sharply after chasing a ball to the boundary and immediately left the field.

He didn't return and Cricket Australia said his injury would be assessed on Sunday. Earlier in the day, New Zealand foiled Australian opener David Warner's bid to break more batting records when they removed him for 253, caught in slips off paceman Trent Boult.

Australia, ahead 1-0 in the three-match series after a 208-run win in Brisbane, had resumed at 416 for two, with Warner on 244 and eyeing Matthew Hayden's record WACA score of 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003. However, he added just nine runs before some much-improved bowling from Boult had him edging to Mark Craig in slips.

It was the second-highest individual score at the ground, behind only Hayden's massive knock. Warner faced 286 balls and was at the crease for 409 minutes, hitting 24 boundaries and two sixes in an impressive innings that was the highest of his career and his first double-century in Tests.

Warner had helped Australia notch an opening day WACA record on Friday and posted the best Test haul in a single day by an Australian on home soil. He also became the first batsman to score three Test centuries at the venue and it was his fourth successive Test century against New Zealand.

At one stage Australia were 512 for four on Saturday, but they collapsed after lunch with New Zealand spinner Craig (3 for 123) on a hat-trick as the wickets tumbled in the quest for quick runs. Paceman Doug Bracewell (2 for 81) provided a rare moment of delight for the visitors when he took a brilliant reflex catch off his own bowling to remove Marsh for 34.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment