AUS beat NZ by 296 runs | Australia vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Test Match - Commentary

The players are back out in the middle. Jeet Raval and Tom Latham are the openers for New Zealand. It is that man who has a terrific record with the red ball and white ball but it escalates even higher with the pink. Mitchell Starc. To Jeet Raval. Three slips and a gully in place. Let's play.

Do Australia have enough? Ian Smith mentioned before Lunch that 350 is a good score on this track. The pitch does look a bit on the slower side but that makes it equally difficult for the bowlers to take wickets. Having said that, twilight period is approaching and the Aussies will be hoping for 3-4 wickets by Stumps. Join us back at 6 pm local (1000 GMT).

Neil Wagner is caught for a quick chat on his way back. He says that it's been pretty hard and tough conditions and praises the boys for fighting it out. Credits the Australians for batting well. Smiles and tells that the push-up (after the Lunch break) was to keep himself going and being nicely warmed up as you tend to get stiff during the break.

A tough, tough 5 sessions for the visiting side. They found nothing in the heat, right from Thursday and only under lights, did they find some movement with the pink ball. That was the time when they got Matthew Wade last evening but other than that and the Warner catch, it has all been poor shot selection from the Aussies. But Wagner toiled hard, totally deserving his 4 wickets while Southee got some cheap ones towards the end. Sadly for the Kiwis, Santner was unimpressive and they did miss Lockie Ferguson today.

How does it feel when you are tired, waiting for the innings to end and then finally drag yourself off the field? And then when you see that your mates, who are not even in the playing XI, are there at the boundary line, ready to receive you with a big smile? Just lifts your spirits, doesn't it? That is how this Kiwi team is.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. OUT! Caught behind! No 5-fer for Wagner, no declaration from Australia because they have been bowled out. A short ball, down the leg side, Paine looks to pull but he is cramped for room. The ball takes the glove and BJ Watling dives to his left to take the catch. He appeals and umpire Aleem Dar raises his finger. Paine does not bother reviewing and the innings ends at last. 416 IS WHAT AUSTRALIA HAVE MANAGED. TEA AS WELL ON DAY 2.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery. On a good length and just outside off, Paine looks to defend but misses it.

Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. 6 minutes to Tea. But it will be extended if Australia do not get bowled out before the scheduled Tea break.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. OUT! Caught! That is a good catch from Colin de Grandhomme and Wagner has his fourth! A short ball, outside leg, from over the wicket, Lyon looks to pull but this time gets a bit of a top edge. The ball flies in the air and de Grandhomme at fine leg slides to his right and takes a good catch as the ball was coming at pace.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. BEATEN! Full delivery outside off, Lyon looks to drive but misses it.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Nathan Lyon. Short of a length delivery on leg, Lyon pulls it over fine leg for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Good shot. Short delivery on leg, Lyon pulls it over square leg for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. Full delivery on off again, Lyon keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. Full delivery on off, Lyon defends it back towards the bowler.

Nathan Lyon is the next batsman in.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. OUT! Caught! Starc holes out now. Finally someone is there to take a catch. Great take from a great player. Kane Williamson. After spending 145 overs in the field, you do this. Rephrase. EVEN after spending so much time on the field, you do this. Full and outside off, angling away, Starc looks to go over the bowler but the bat turns in his hands and he ends up skewing it. The ball goes off the top edge high in the air. It looks like it will land safely but Williamson covers good ground to his right from mid off, keeps his eyes on the ball and then slides to take a stunner. Superb. Starc's cameo ends but the innings doesn't. Australia continue to bat.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, Starc shoulders arms to this one.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Full delivery on off, Starc drives it back towards the bowler.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Length delivery on off, Starc lofts it over covers. The batsmen get two runs.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. WIDE! Bowls a bouncer outside off, Starc lets it sail through to the keeper. The umpire gives it wide for height.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. On a good length on leg, Starc looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, Starc offers no shot to this one.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Full again on middle, Starc looks to flick but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen cross ends.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Full delivery on off, Starc plays it back towards the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. On a length on off, Starc guides it to short third man.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Full delivery on middle, Starc drives it back towards the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Bowls a bouncer, Starc lets it sail through to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Full delivery on off, Paine drives it towards mid off. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen manage to take a single.

Neil Wagner is back on! He has been the best bowler for the Kiwis. Can he take a 5-fer?

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, Mitchell leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Starc looks to cut but misses it.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. DROPPED! When it is not going, it is definitely not going for you. Jeet Raval has been having a torrid time with the bat and now, drops a sitter. Is the possible declaration going on in his mind? Length delivery on middle, Starc looks to loft but hits it straight to mid on. Jeet Raval tries to take the catch, gets to it but then spills it.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. On a good length on off, Starc defends it to point off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Length delivery on off, Starc plays it towards mid off.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Bowls a bouncer, Starc ducks under it.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Floated delivery on off, Mitchell plays it towards point for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. SIX! WHACK! Making hay while the sun shines. Starc is getting into the groove. Full and around off, plenty of flight. Starc gets down and slogs it over long on. There is a fielder over there but no problem. Mitch has enough power. 400 UP FOR AUSTRALIA.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full delivery on off, Paine drives it towards mid off for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. 'I AM SORRY!' says Starc. Floated delivery on middle, Paine drives it towards mid on. Santner dives to his right but cannot stop the ball. Now, Paine comes halfway down the track for the single but Starc is busy looking at the mid on fielder. Now he looks back at Paine who indicates that it was his call and he should have run.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Short on off, Starc slaps it towards covers. The batsmen take a single.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Tossed up delivery on off, Starc defends it off the front foot.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Good length delivery on off, Paine defends it out.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Outside off, Paine lets it go.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. FOUR! STOP THE PRESS! Tim Paine has scored a boundary. It has been a yawning session of batting from Australia, led by their skipper. That is just his second boundary in the 98 balls that he has faced. Nice shot though. On a length, outside off, Paine rocks back and punches it late, behind point. Sweeper cover is there but before he can sweep across, the ball meets the fence.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Short delivery outside off, Starc cuts it through point for a run.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. On a good length on middle, Starc defends it off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Length delivery on middle, Paine flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a single.

Tim Southee is back into the attack! 27-6-84-2 are his figures so far.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Nice shot. Loopy delivery on middle, Starc plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Tossed up delivery on off, Mitchell defends it off the back foot.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Floated delivery on off, Paine plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Short delivery on off, Starc cuts it through point. The batsmen take a single.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Flighted delivery on middle, Starc defends it off the front foot.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Tossed up delivery on off, Starc pushes it back towards the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Flatter delivery on middle, Tim defends it out of the back foot.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Full delivery outside off, Starc drives this to cover and picks up a single.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Just inside from being a six! Flighted delivery on off, Starc bends and then lofts this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. That part of the boundary is quite long and that is the reason for the ball not going over the ropes. Colin de Grandhomme is stationed there but he is standing few metres ahead of the boundary fence making it difficult for him to reach it on time.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Flatter delivery on middle, Starc flicks it towards mid-wicket but for no runs.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Loopy ball on middle, Starc blocks it out.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Full delivery on off, Mitchell pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Floated on middle, Paine bends on his knees and then plays the paddle sweep to fine leg and picks up a couple.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. OHH! Flighted delivery down the leg side, Paine looks to sweep it but misses it. The Kiwis appeal for caught behind but the umpire shakes his head.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Quicker delivery on off, Paine pushes it out to cover. Santner thought there was pad first but the umpire says no.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Floated ball on off, Paine pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Floated ball on off, Starc flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full delivery on middle, Paine defends it back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Floated ball on off, Starc attempts to defend it but it goes off the outside edge past the slip cordon. The batters take a single.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. On off, defended out to cover.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Just wide of Colin de Grandhomme. Flighted ball on off, Starc goes down on his knees and then plays the slog sweep towards deep mid-wicket where de Grandhomme is stationed but it is just wide of him. The ball goes for a boundary and Starc gets his first one of his innings.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Another flat one on middle, Starc tucks it to square leg.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Flatter delivery on middle, Starc plays it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Starc. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Down the leg side, Tim looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Around off, defended watchfully.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. EDGED, BUT NO ONE TAKES IT! Frustration for New Zealand. Fractionally short outside off, Paine rocks back and looks to cut. But he is too close to the ball. It takes the outside edge and goes behind. But Watling is wrong-footed, moving to his left. The ball goes to his right and Ross Taylor at first slip is a bit wide. The strawberry goes right in between them to the third man fence before it is cut off. Two runs taken.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Outside off, punched off the back foot.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, pushed through mid off for a single.

Jeet Raval to Mitchell Starc. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! It has been a sedate hour of play for Australia after Lunch. They have not added many runs after the break and just before Drinks, Cummins was bowled around the legs. New Zealand will be happy with this hour. They were good in their lines and lengths and even got the wicket of Pat Cummins. Mitchell Starc is the next man in.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. OUT! BOWLED! MAIDEN TEST WICKET FOR JEET RAVAL! And more than him, Watling is happy. What happened there? Cummins has been bowled around the legs. A flighted ball down the leg side which spins from leg towards middle stump, Cummins looks to sweep it but fails to get any bat on it. The ball goes around his legs and hits the stumps. An annoying stand comes to an end. Can the Kiwis finish Australia off before Tea?

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Outside off, pushed to deep cover for a single.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full delivery around off, Paine drives it to cover for nothing.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. BEATEN! Beautifully bowled! Raval flights this one outside off, Paine attempts to drive it but fails to make any connection to it.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Fuller again on middle, Cummins defends it out.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Full on middle, Pat pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. BEATEN! Quicker delivery at 92.1 kph outside off, Cummins looks to defend it but misses it.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. On middle, defended back to Santner.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Tossed up ball on middle, Cummins works it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Floated ball on middle, Cummins defends it back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. On middle, Paine pushes it to mid on.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Cummins works it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. This time bowls a short one on off, PC guides it to point.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Raval keeps bowling full on off, Cummins keeps pushing it to the off side.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. On off, pushes this towards cover.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Pat works it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins drives this to deep cover and picks up a single.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery outside off, Pat lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. BEATEN! Flighted ball outside off with some spin on it, Cummins looks to defend it but misses it.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Short ball on middle and leg, Cummins pulls it to backward square leg and picks up a couple before the fielder can come across and clean it up.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Tossed up ball on off, Cummins defends it to point.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. On middle, defended back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Full delivery around off, Cummins drives it to mid off and takes a quick single.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Fullish ball on off, pushed to cover.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery on off, Cummins pushes it to mid off.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Shorter delivery outside off, Cummins punches this to deep cover and picks up a single.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Floated ball outside off, Paine lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Cummins solidly defends it.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Outside off, left alone by Pat.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. EDGED, FOUR! Sob. Something which is rare in this Test match. An event ball. Full and outside off, Cummins lunges out to push away from his body. The ball spins, turns, bounces and takes the outside edge. But it goes past slip and beats Jeet Raval at short third man.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Floats this one up on off, Cummins blocks it to point.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Short ball on middle, Pat tucks it to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery on middle, Cummins defrends it out.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Pat works it to the leg side.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. BEATEN! Flatter delivery outside off with some spin off the wicket, Cummins looks to play the cut but misses it completely.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery on off, Cummins blocks it out.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Floated ball outside off, Cummins shoulders arms to this one.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Shorter delivery on off, Paine defends it to point.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Fullish ball outside off, Cummins lunges forward and then drives it to deep cover and picks up a single.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Floated ball on middle, Cummins blocks it out solidly.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flighted ball on middle, Cummins defends it to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Another short one outside off, Cummins punches this to deep cover and picks up a single to keep strike for the next over. 350 UP FOR AUSTRALIA. The question is not how many more will they add, but how long will they look to bat?

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Shorter in length this time outside off, Paine cuts it towards deep cover and gives Cummins the strike.

A bit puzzling strategy by Paine and Cummins. Are they batting for just time? Given by their approach, seems like Paine is looking to try and hold Australia till the twilight period. Even loose balls from Raval are going unpunished.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. On middle, Paine drives it back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Loopy ball on off, Tim drives it to mid off for nothing.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Floated ball outside off, Paine leaves it alone.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full delivery on off, Paine pushes it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Another flat delivery on middle, Cummins defends it out.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Flatter delivery on middle, Cummins defends it out.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Some spin on offer! Santner flights this one up around off, Cummins attempts to defend it but fails to get any bat on it due to the massive away spin along with the bounce. Nathan Lyon will be watching that closely.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Floated ball outside off, Cummins lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. 24-3-82-0 are his figures so far.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. On off, pushed towards mid off.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full delivery on middle, Paine pushes this to mid off.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full toss on off, Paine pushes it to cover.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. On middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Short delivery outside off, Paine cuts it but straight to the point fielder who collects it on the bounce.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full delivery around off, Paine drives this wide of the deep cover region and picks up a couple. Colin de Grandhoome comes across and cleans it up.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Back of a length delivery on middle, Cummins stands tall and blocks it onto the pitch.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Slower delivery on middle and leg, Cummins works it away to leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Full delivery down the leg side, Cummins looks to flick it but misses it.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle stump, Cummins ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Back of a length delivery on middle, Cummins tucks it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Full delivery outside off angling into the batsman, Pat lets the ball go to the keeper.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Flatter delivery way outside off, Paine has no problem in leaving this ball alone.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Tossed up ball on middle, Paine blocks it out.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Loopy ball on middle, Tim defends it out.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Short ball outside off, Paine plays the square cut but finds the point fielder.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. BEATEN! Nicely bowled! Flatter delivery outside off with a little bit of spin on it, Paine attempts the cut shot but fails to make any connection to it.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Tossed up ball on middle, Paine whips it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Wagner bowls a full delivery outside off, Cummins lets it go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Pat drives it to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Slower delivery on middle, Cummins picks it up early and then flicks it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Short ball on the middle stump line, Paine pulls it to deep square leg and takes a single.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Good length ball on off, Cummins guide it to point and crosses over for a single.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Cummins drives this but the mid on fielder comes across and cleans it up.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Raval tosses this one up, Cummins looks to heave it away but it goes aerial. Luckily for him, it lands short of the mid on fielder. The batters take a single.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Loopy ball on middle and leg, Pat defends it back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Full delivery on middle, Cummins pushes it to mid on. No run.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Tossed up ball on off, Cummins is solid in his defense and does so to cover.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Another very full delivery, almost a yorker, Cummins digs it back to the bowler.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Very full delivery outside the off stump line, Paine drives this to deep cover and takes the single.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. On a length outside off, Pat shoulders arms to this one. Maiden over from Wagner.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Short of a length delivery on middle, Pat blocks it out.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Wagner is sticking to the short of a length, this time he bowls it on off. Cummins is ready for it and then defends it towards point.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Short ball on middle and leg, Cummins blocks it out onto the pitch off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Back of a length delivery on off, Cummins stands tall and defends it out.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Short ball around middle, Cummins ducks under it.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Raval tosses this one up on middle, Cummins works it to square leg and keeps the strike for the next over.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Floated ball on off, Pat defends it to cover.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Loopy ball on middle and leg, Cummins works it to mid-wicket.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Flighted ball on middle, Paine works it behind square leg for a single.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Flatter delivery outside off, Paine cuts off the back foot towards point where Santner tumbles to field the ball.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Starts with a tossed up ball outside off, Paine shoulders arms to this one.

Jeet Raval will bowl from the other end. 2-0-8-0 so far. Haven't seen too many bad balls from him, even though he is a part-timer. Very easy-to-go action, with a bit of a loop, but not much threatening either.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. On middle, defended out by Cummins.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Another short one on the leg stump line, Tim pulls it to backward square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Short ball around middle, Paine plays the pull shot but gets a bottom edge. The ball goes on the bounce to Colin de Grandhomme at leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On a length outside off, Paine lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Short ball on middle, Paine rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The batters take off for a couple but Paine wants three. Cummins though, is not too sure and sends Paine back. The fielder at deep mid-wicket throws it to Wagner first and then throws it to Watling but by then Paine had made it back to the crease.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Wagner starts with a short ball outside off, Paine sways away from it.

We are all set to begin the second session! The Aussie skipper, Tim Paine and Pat Cummins make their way out to the middle along with the the Kiwi players. Neil Wagner to start for the visitors. Todd Astle is on the field for Lockie Ferguson.

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

Now, what is on the card for the second session? Australia are closing in on 350. They would want to play out the first hour of the session and then take the aggressive approach to score runs quickly. The Kiwis would want to remove the remaining 4 wickets as quickly as possible. Join us to find out post this Lunch break.

The day started with Labuschagne and Head starting nicely and raising a 50-run stand between them. Wagner removed Labuschagne to break the stand. Head was then joined by skipper Paine in the middle and the duo added 24 runs. However, Head fell after his 50 to Southee. Cummins then joined Paine and saw off the remaining overs to go to Lunch.

Another tough day for the Kiwi bowlers in hot and humid conditions. They have picked up a couple of wickets but with one bowler short, it has been really a toil for them. The pacers worked hard but would've hoped for some assistance from the spinners. However, Santner did not look threatening in the 4 overs he bowled.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Around off, Paine defends it out nicely. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Paine comes forward and converts this loopy ball as full toss and drives it through mid off for a run.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Full and on off, pushed through covers for a single.

Jeet Raval to Pat Cummins. Sharp turn there. Flights this one and lands it just around off. Cummins looks to drive but gets beaten as the ball turns away.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Flighted, fuller and on middle, Paine pushes it towards mid on and takes off. Cummins though is ball watching and reacts late. The fielder fires the throw towards the keeper but Pat makes his crease with a dive.

Jeet Raval to Tim Paine. Full and around off, it is defended.

Jeet Raval to bowl the last over before Lunch. Bowled one on Day 1. Just one slip for him.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, Cummins drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flighted delivery on off, Paine drives it through covers for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Loopy delivery on off, Tim plays it to the off side.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Floated delivery on off, the skipper defends it off the front foot.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Tossed up delivery on middle, Paine keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flighted delivery on off, Paine defends it off the front foot.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Huge appeal for caught behind this time. Williamson though does not go for the review. Probably because he lost one in the last over. A good length ball, coming in sharply. Pat looks to defend but fails to make connection as the ball sneaks through and goes to Watling behind. Watling and the bowler make a loud appeal. Not out says the umpire. Southee and Watling are sure that they heard a noise but Williamson says he did not hear a thing. Replays roll in and they suggest that there was no bat involved and the noise was of the ball kissing the pocket of the trouser.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Bouncer on middle, Cummins ducks under it.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Full and around off from Southee this time. Cummins is solid in his front foot block again.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Full and outside off again. Paine this time drives it through point and picks three.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Fullish and on off this time. Paine comes on the front foot and defends it out.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Fullish length ball in the channel outside off, Paine lets it be.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Loopy delivery on middle, Cummins blocks it off the back foot.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Tossed up delivery on off, Pat keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Pat Cummins. Floated delivery on off, Cummins defends it off the front foot.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flighted delivery on middle, Paine flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Tossed up delivery on off, Paine plays it to point.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. NOT OUT! Impact outside off. New Zealand lose their review. A flighted ball around off, Paine comes forward to defend but misses to get hit on the front pad. Santner and the keeper appeal but not out says the umpire. Williamson after consulting the bowler opts to take the decision upstairs. Let's see what the replays show. No edge, confirms Snicko. Now, the Ball Tracker. Here it comes, well, impact is outside off. Forget about where it hits then. Paine stays.

Huge shout for LBW! Umpire Nigel has a long look but says nothing. Williamson signals for the review after a chat with his mates. Inside edge? Impact? Here comes Snicko. No inside edge. Ball Tracker shows the impact to be outside off. Review lost. Looked close to the naked eye.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Outside off on a good length, it is left alone.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler firmly.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Good length ball around off, Cummins stays on the back foot and pushes it towards gully.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Full and on off again, it is defended towards point.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. Full and around off for Cummins first up. He is up for the challenge as he drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

Pat Cummins is the next batsman in.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. OUT! Drilled straight to the cover fielder. Head departs after playing a handy knock though. A full ball outside off, asking for the drive. Head obliges and connects it well but it goes straight to Santner. He cannot believe it as he goes off. They check for the front foot no ball but Southee is fine. A deserving second wicket for Southee.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, Paine looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and rolls towards point.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Another quick run but this time for Travis Head. Floated delivery on middle, Head drives it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Flighted delivery on off, Head defends it out.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Tossed up delivery on off, Travis drives it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Quick single for the skipper. Floated delivery outside off, Paine drives it towards covers.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. FOUR! First boundary for the skipper. Full delivery outside off, Paine drives it through covers for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Around off, Head defends it out.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! Fullish ball outside off, Head cuts it through point nicely. Jeet Raval from deep mid-wicket hares to his right, makes a spirited effort to stop the ball but he is unsuccessful in doing so.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Another fuller ball, this one comes in after pitching outside off. Head covers his stumps and lets it be.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Shot but straight to the cover fielder. Full and just outside off, Head strokes it nicely but straight to the fielder.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. In the channel outside off, Head lets it be.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Starts with a fuller ball outside off, asking the batsman to go for the drive. Head though is not interested.

Tim Southee returns. 24-5-77-1 are his numbers so far.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Shortish again and on middle, Paine pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Shortish ball on middle, Paine goes back and keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Fires it on middle, Paine tucks it towards mid-wicket. Head wanted a single there but Paine was not interested.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flatter and around off, Paine defends it out.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Another bad ball. Short and outside off, Head cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. FOUR! Fifty up for Travis Head. 7th in Test cricket. A poor start from Santner as he bowls a fuller ball down the leg side. Head sweeps it to the fine leg fence.

Spin for the first time as Mitchell Santner to bowl now. 20-3-65-0 are his figures so far. A slip and short leg in place.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Fullish and inviting the batsman for the drive. Paine is not lured as he lets it go the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Another ball outside off, Paine makes second leave in a row.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off, Paine lets it be this time.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. On middle, Paine tucks it towards mid-wicket.

Paine bails out at the last moment. Oh, there was a fly in front of his eyes.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Around off, pushed towards mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Huge appeal for LBW but too high probably. A good length ball on middle and leg. Paine looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Huge appeal from the Kiwis but not out says umpire Dar. The Ball Tracker rolls in and confirms it to be going over the stumps.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another ball down the leg side. Another attempt of pull from Head. Another failure for him.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full and on middle, flicked towards mid on.

Silly point comes on for Head. Short leg is already there for the left-hander.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Shortish around off this time, Head strokes it towards cover.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. And again. It is down the leg side, Head once again flicks but makes no connection.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Down the leg side this time, Head looks to tickle it down the leg side but makes no connection.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. FOUR! Nicely pulled! Bouncer on middle, Head rolls his wrists and pulls it between the legs of Aleem Dar at square leg and past the diving Raval at squarish mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Around off, this time Paine pushes it towards cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Make that fourth leave in a row as this one is on a length and outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Gets closer to the off pole but Paine has his stumps covered as he shoulders arms.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Another leave as Paine lets it be once again.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Fullish and on the pads, Paine flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. It is not from the middle of the bat. The mid-wicket fielder hares after it and returns the ball but cannot stop a couple of runs.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another bumper! Head ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another back of a length ball. This time the line is right. He defends it out nicely.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another ball down the leg side. Second one from the over. Seems like Wagner has lost the trajectory. Head lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Bouncer and around off, Head sways away from it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Low full toss around off, Head flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Wagner bowls down the leg side again. Head looks to pull but misses out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off again, Head this time lets it be.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Around off, Head taps it towards point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Direct hit and Head would have been on his way. Outside off, Head looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards point and Head wants a single but Paine sends him back. Henry Nicholls charges in from backward point, gets to the ball and has a shy at the stumps at the striker's end with Head halfway down the track. However, he is not quite able to adjust to the angle and misses by a big margin. Concedes an overthrow as the ball goes towards fine leg.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Outside off, it is left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Play and a miss! Fullish length and outside off, Head feels for the ball as he goes for the drive but misses.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Fullish length ball outside off, Head lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Good length ball around off and middle, Paine blocks it back to the bowler nicely.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Good length and around off, Paine pushes it towards mid on.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Shortish length and around off, Paine taps it towards cover.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the pads again, Head tucks it nicely past the short leg fielder behind square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Down the leg side this time. Head lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Shortish length outside off, Head looks to cut but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Drinks! Labuschagne and Head almost saw off the first hour of play. There's hardly any life on the wicket but Wagner bowled the shortish length with venom. However, the Aussie overnight batters were up for the challenge as they played them well. Labuschagne eventually fell to Wagner just before the Drinks break. Head is looking solid out there in the middle. He has skipper Paine for company. They would look to add another partnership to take Australia towards a big first innings score. The Kiwis are already one bowler short and it seems like they will be having a tough next hour too. They would love to get a few more wickets as soon as they can and try restricting the Aussies to as low as they could. Hot and humid conditions are surely not gonna help them. Interesting hour ahead.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Good length around off, Paine defends it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off, it is left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Around off, Paine pushes it towards gully with soft hands.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off, Paine shoulders arms.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Just outside off, guided towards short third man.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Just past short leg! Good bowling! Another short of length ball into the body. Head tucks it away but it was not too far from the reach of the short leg fielder.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Around off, Paine pushes it through point for a single to get off the mark.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. A bouncer to welcome the skipper. It is on middle but Paine has no problem ducking under it.

Skipper Tim Paine walks out. Short leg in position.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! BOWLED AROUND HIS LEGS! It is Wagner who has removed the man who has become a thorn in the flesh of the opposition pretty quickly. Sad, sad moment for Marnus Labuschagne. In spite of scoring 143? Why, do you ask? Because Labuschagne would have been only the third player after Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar to register three consecutive 150-plus scores in Test cricket! He is distraught. Not perhaps of the missed record but simply because he has been denied an opportunity to bat throughout the day. A bit of his own doing, one would say. Labuschagne walks across his stumps and does so pretty early. Wagner targets the stumps and does so with a fast ball. Labuschagne misses his flick and the ball hits the stumps. He just stands there dismayed and then trudges off. The whole crowd gives him a standing applause. Can New Zealand keep Australia under 375 now?

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another back of a length on middle and leg, Marnus pulls it through fine leg and gets a couple. That also brings up the 300 for Australia.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Back of a length on the hips of Head. He tucks it through square leg and gets to the other end.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length around off again, Labuschagne bunts it on the pitch on the off side.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On off, pushed towards point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off on a fullish length, Labuschagne flicks it again. This time it is uppish but wide of the mid-wicket fielder. A couple of runs taken.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Whipped off the pads. Brilliant shot. Full and around off, Labuschagne flicks it nicely, using his wrists to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full around off, driven straight to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another bouncer, targeting the head of Head. Head does well to evade it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Wagner bowls another one down the leg side. Head lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Down the leg side, Head looks to flick but makes no connection.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer outside off, Labuschagne pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Slightly short and on middle, Labuschagne keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Short and around off and middle, Labuschagne pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Beaten! Full and wide outside off, inviting the drive. Head falls in the trap and drives but away from the body to get beaten.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On middle, it is pushed towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Around off and on a length, Head pushes it back to the bowler who looks to stop the ball with his right hand. However, it deflects towards mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. FOUR! Brilliant shot! Full and around off this time, Head gets in the position and drives it through mid off for a boundary.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Overpitched and outside off, Head drives it well but Williamson at mid off dives to his right and makes a nice stop.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Starts with a good length ball around off, Head pushes it towards mid off nicely.

Colin de Grandhomme is on now! He was the man who got New Zealand the first wicket on Day 1. Can he get one on Day 2 too? 16-6-24-1 are his figures so far.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another shortish length, this time Head tucks it wide of short fine leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer again but this time Marnus pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer around off this time, Labuschagne sways away.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! 17th boundary for Labuschagne. Wagner looking for the slower delivery dishes out a full toss. Labuschagne drives it through mid on firmly and it wins the race against the mid on fielder.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish length around off, Marnus taps it towards the off side of the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Short ball down the leg side, actually way down the leg side. Labuschagne lets it be.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads, Labuschagne tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off and middle, Labuschagne pushes it towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Outside off again and slightly shortish length. Head cuts it to deep point for a single.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! Good effort but in vain. A shortish length ball outside off, Head cuts it nicely towards deep point. Santner from deep cover hares to his right and makes a sliding attempt to stop the ball. He does so but not cleanly and the ball eventually touches the fence. 50-run stand is up between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Shortish ball around off and middle, Labuschagne tucks it towards fine leg. Labuschagne wanted the second but Wagner was quick to get around and stop the second.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Shot of the morning so far! Just overpitched from Southee. Labuschagne leans forward and drives it to the long on fence nicely.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On middle, Head tucks it nicely but straight to Latham at short leg.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Behind good length and around off, Head taps it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer again but this time Labuschagne goes for the pull and turns it towards deep square leg for a run.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one but this one is way too high to make the batsman play. Marnus ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bouncer around off again, Labuschagne sways away from it nicely.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Sharp bouncer! But no close in fielder on the off side. A silly point could've made things interesting. Back of a length ball around off, Labuschagne hops and blocks towards point uppishly.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and just around off, Head drives it to mid off firmly.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and around off and middle. Head pushes it towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and around off, Head looks to drive but manages to hit it off the toe end of the bat towards cover.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Around off, Head pushes it towards mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. In the channel outside off, Head makes a leave.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! Nicely done! Another ball on the pads, this time Head guides it towards the fine leg fence nicely. Had there been a leg gully, Head would've been on his way.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another shortish length ball on middle and leg, Head looks to tuck it towards fine leg but cannot make the connection right. The ball goes to left of the short leg fielder for a single.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Bouncer and around off, Head hops and keeps it out nicely.

A switch of fielders. Jeet Raval, who was at leg gully, swaps positions with the man at deep mid-wicket. There is a short leg in place as well, so expect plenty of short stuff.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Back of a length ball down the leg side. Head looks to tickle it fine but misses. Was not too far from tickling the gloves there.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On middle, Head strokes it straight to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball around middle, Labuschagne looks to defend but it goes towards leg gully off the inner half. A late call for the single there. The fielder gets to the ball and fires a throw at the non-striker's end but misses. Direct hit could've been interesting.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and on middle, Labuschagne drives it wide of mid on for a single.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! First one of the day! Overpitched and outside off, Labuschagne leans into the drive and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Nicely punched! Slightly shortish length outside off, Head goes on the back foot and punches it through cover and point. Nicholls and Wagner go after the ball. Nicholls slides in and flicks the ball towards Wagner who return is back to the keeper. Three runs taken.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Beautifully bowled but equally well played by Head. Southee pitches it outside off and makes it come back in sharply. Head gets his bat down in time to defend it out.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on middle, Labuschagne rides the bounce and pulls it by rolling the wrists. The ball goes behind square leg for a single.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. In the channel outside off again, Labuschagne lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Outside off, it is left alone.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Around off, Head comes forward and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Not from the middle of the bat but three runs and it brings 250 up for Australia. Fuller length and outside off, Marnus goes for the drive but manages a thick outside edge which goes through point for three.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Double bluff? Wagner dishes a good length ball outside off, Labuschagne lets it be.

A change in the field. Wagner is switching to around the wicket and perhaps is targetting the short ball. He has a chat with skipper Williamson and sends mid-wicket back to the fence. Moves point as well, to the place where short mid-wicket was.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full and wide outside off. Head unlike Labuschagne wants to feel the ball as he drives and picks a single towards wide of mid off. Australia are underway for the day.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Wagner starts with a fuller length ball on off for the left-hander. Head pushes it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner it will be from the other end. 22-4-52-2 so far. A real workhorse this lad is. Took a stunning caught and bowled and kept on running in the whole day.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Misses the line this time does Southee as he sprays down the leg side. Labuschagne misses his flick too.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another good leave. This one probably on the length too. In the channel again, it just comes in but not enough to strike on the pads. Goes straight to the keeper.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Closer to off pole again, just behind good length. Labuschagne has his timbers covered as he lets it go the keeper.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off again and on a good length. Labuschagne is not going after these this early as he shoulders arms.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. This time he gets closer to the off pole. Labuschagne comes forward and blocks it out solidly.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Southee starts with a ball in the channel outside off and on a good length. Labuschagne lets it be, in his own style.

We are all set for the day to begin. Labuschagne and Head are ready to go out onto the field, standing at the ropes. Head just has a feel of the Aussie flag with his left hand and from behind, comes Labuschagne. They both have a chat and now, Head goes out. Labuschagne, on the other hand, waits, does some situps, mutters some words to himself and follows his partner. Now, the Kiwis follow suit. The first 20-30 minutes will be very crucial. Tim Southee will start off proceedings to Labuschagne. Two slips in place. 20-4-53-1 so far. Here we go!

And now, finally about New Zealand. They bowled their hearts out, on a track which had nothing much to offer with the exception of Lockie Ferguson. He seemed to go only for pace and lacked direction and control. HE HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF BOWLING IN THIS TEST, which makes the responsibility on the other bowlers even greater. The second new ball is just 10 overs old, so they would want to strike early. Southee managed to get some swing last night but was that more due to the conditions? We shall know in some time.

Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne - the present and the future for Australia. Almost like a master and his apprentice at work. They grinded and grinded and grinded the Kiwis amidst a 132-run stand which consumed almost 50 overs. That is close to 2 sessions. Steven Smith looked out of sorts but Labuschagne looked like a man in total control. He left the balls well, had good compact defense and also attacked the odd bad ball. Towards the end, he started to counter-attack as well and hence, his wicket would be very crucial for the Black Caps this afternoon.

In a day-night Test match, the pink ball barely swings in the afternoon and that is what exactly happened. The Kiwis struggled to generate consistent swing for long but then quickly adjusted to bowling accurate lines and lengths. Australia, on the other hand, found it tough to get going as the ball did not quite come onto the bat. But they too, did well to curb their attacking instincts and ensured that there was no collapse as such.

A day of the South Africans it was in the Australian city of Perth. Klerksdorp-born Marnus Labuschagne and Pretoria-born Neil Wagner called the shots on Thursday as Australia and New Zealand battled it out on a day of attrition. A day of old-age traditional Test cricket where there was good contest between bat and ball. New Zealand did not give an inch while Australia fought hard. In a day of frustration for both teams, no one came out clearly on top and that promises an exciting second day's play. Hello and a warm welcome.

... DAY 2 ...

The day has belonged to centurion Marnus Labuschagne but the match right now is tantalisingly close. The middle order of Australia has not been tested for large parts of the last series against Pakistan and New Zealand would be looking to make early inroads on Day 2. We hope for another exciting day of cricket on Friday. Do join us at 1300 Local (0500 GMT). Till then, cheers and take care!

Marnus Labuschagne on his way to the pavilion stops for an interview. He says that it was difficult in the initial phase of the innings. Mentions that the pitch is tricky to bat on and it feels good to score and bat well. He also adds that the team is in a strong position after the end of the day's play. The conditions are hot and tiring. On being asked about his achievement of becoming the joint 4th fastest Australian batsman to score 1000 Test runs, Labuschagne says that he was not aware about that record but is happy with his performance.

Wagner has certainly got to be the pick of the bowlers as he took potentially the most dangerous wickets of David Warner and Steven Smith. Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme also chipped in with one wicket each but a major concern for New Zealand will be that they are now one bowler short as Lockie Ferguson had gone off with a calf strain and further updates on him will be provided on the morning of Day 2.

The day started with a steady partnership between Joe Burns and David Warner. The bowling from the New Zealanders was disciplined and it reaped rewards as Joe Burns departed for just 9 runs. Warner looked confident in his innings of 43 runs but was dismissed in spectacular fashion by Wagner as he took a very good low catch off his own bowling. Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then formed a 132-run stand and took the hosts to comfortable shores before Smith departed. However, the day belonged to Marnus Labuschagne who made batting look easy on a very tricky pitch where even Steven Smith struggled to find his rhythm. He will be looking to carry on from his knock of 110 runs on Day 2 and give his team a healthy advantage.

So, that will be it from Day 1 of the first Test match. It has been the day of Marnus Labuschagne who is unbeaten after scoring a ton. Australia end Day 1 on 248/4. The Australian pair of Head and Labuschagne trudge off the pitch with their heads held high and overall a decent day for the hosts.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Good length ball outside off, Head looks to defend at first but takes his bat away at the last moment. With that, it is STUMPS ON DAY 1.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Fullish ball on middle and leg, Travis works it through mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full delivery on middle, Head blocks it out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. JUST! Short ball outside off, Labuschagne plays the upper cut but does not realize that there is a fielder placed there just for that. Luckily for Marnus, the ball fell just short of Ross Taylor at third man. This though, is brilliant captaincy from Kane Williamson.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, Labuschagne defends it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on off, Marnus blocks it back to Wagner.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery on middle, Head defends it out to cover.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! Nicely played! Southee goes full yet again on off, Head creams the drive between cover and mid off and into the fence. Second boundary of the over.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. BEATEN! Beautiful! Good length ball outside off, Head attempts to defend it but misses it completely. There was a bit of noise but Snicko shows that there was no bat on it.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! SHOT! Full delivery outside off, Head leans forward and drills the drive through covers and into the fence. Wagner puts a terrifc run in an attempt to clean it up but fails to do so.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, Marnus whips it to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. BEATEN! Southee has been excellent since they have taken the new ball. Good length ball outside off swinging away, Labuschagne looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball whizzes past the bat and into the mitts of the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Slower full delivery outside off, Travis picks it and pushes it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. BOUNCER! It is bowled around middle stump, Head ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Short ball down the leg side, Head does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full delivery outside off, Head drives it to cover where the fielder dives to stop the ball.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full delivery on middle, Head defends it out.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. BEATEN! Beautiful bowling! Good length delivery outside off, Head looks to defend it but fails to make any connection with it.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery on middle, Travis whips it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery way outside off, Head lets the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Good length ball on off, Travis defends it off the back foot towards cover.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! Just over! Short ball outside off, Head slashes at it and it goes just over the gully fielder and into the fence.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Good length ball outside off, Head looks to defend at first but then makes a good decison to leave that one. That took off after pitching and almost kissed the edge.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full delivery outside off, Head attempts to drive but it goes off the inside edge to deep square leg. Head keeps the strike with a single.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Good length ball on middle and leg, Head whips it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Outside off, Head lets it go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full delivery on off, Head pushes it to cover for nothing.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and picks up a single.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner is back on. 19-3-47-2 are his figures so far.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full delivery outside off, Head creams the drive through covers for a boundary. He gets off the mark as well with that one.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On off, defended out.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery on off, Head drives it to mid off.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery outside off swinging in, Head makes a good leave.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. The batsman works it down the leg side.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. OHH! A huge shout for LBW! Good length ball on middle and leg, Head looks to shuffle and flick it but misses to get hit on the pads. Southee appeals but Aleem Dar, the umpire, shakes his head. Southee is seen asking his captain, Kane Williamson, whether it is too high. The Hawk Eye rolls in and it shows that it was going over the stumps. Good call not to review the decision.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone by Marnus.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish ball on middle, Marnus drives it but de Grandhomme jumps up and collects it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle, defended back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on middle, Labuschagne defends it out onto the pitch.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On a length on off, Head punches this off the back foot to cover.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery on middle, Travis pushes it to mid on.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery outside off which holds its line, Head first looks to defend it but decides to let the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Good length ball on middle, Head guides it to point.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full delivery on off, Head pushes it to mid off.

Travis Head is the new man in. He needs to arrest the Aussie slide.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. OUT! TIMBER! The new ball does the trick! This is brilliant bowling from Southee but also a bad decision by Wade. Good length delivery on off, swinging in, Wade misreads the movement on it and decides to leave the ball. The ball goes on to hit the top of the off pole and the Kiwi players are ecstatic. Two quick wickets for New Zealand, one before Drinks and one after. Can they pick up more wickets before end of the day's play or will Australia hold on?

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it and lets it go to BJ Watling.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish delivery outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone again.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Full delivery on off, Wade drives it straight to mid off and picks up a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. On a length on middle, Matthew blocks it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. NO BALL! Colin de Grandhomme has overstepped here. Full delivery on middle, Wade defends it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Starts with a good length delivery outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme is back on! 14-5-22-1 are his figures so far.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On a good length on middle, Marnus defends it out.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Labuschagne does not bother to play at that.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Length delivery on off, Wade plays it towards the off side. The batsmen take a single.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Wade looks to drive but misses it due to the away movement on this one.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Outside off, Wade shoulders arms to this one. There is swing on offer with the second new ball.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. On a good length on middle, Wade flicks it to mid-wicket.

80 overs have been bowled by the Kiwis and the second new ball is due. And yes, it has been taken straightaway. Tim Southee to test Wade with the strawberry.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flighted delivery on middle, Marnus defends it off the back foot.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated delivery on off, Labuschagne drives it to mid off.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Short delivery on off, Wade makes room and punches it through point. The fielder chases it, slides and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Full delivery on off, Wade drives it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Tossed up delivery on middle, Wade offers a forward defense on this one.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Excellent shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Wade sweeps it over square leg for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bowls it down the leg side, Labuschagne looks to flick but misses it.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On a good length on middle, Marnus defends it out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Short delivery outside off, Labuschagne looks to guide it over the third man region but does not time it properly. It just about goes over the fielder at short third man who tries to jump and get a hand to it but fails. The batsmen get two runs.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Length delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to square leg.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On a good length on middle, Marnus nudges it towards the leg side.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Bowls a bouncer outside off, Marnus ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Labuschagne does well to duck under it. The umpire gives it wide for height.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Flatter delivery outside off, Wade pushes it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Flatter delivery on middle, Wade flicks it to mid-wicket for nothing.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. On off, Labuschagne pushes it to long on and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Short delivery outside off, Marnus pushes it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another flat delivery on middle, Labuschagne comes down the track and defends it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter delivery on off, Marnus defends it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full delivery on the pads, Wade flicks it to square leg and picks up a couple. Could have been close had there been a better throw from the fielder at square leg.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Short delivery outside off, Wade sways away from it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Slower full delivery on off, Wade sees it early and digs it out onto the pitch.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Bouncer around middle, Wade ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Good length ball around off, Wade looks to flick it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Wagner appeals but nothing doing says the umpire.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full delivery on off, Wade defends it to the off side.

Drinks! It has been a good hour after the Tea break for the Aussies as Labuschagne got to his ton but the wicket of Steven Smith just before the Drinks break has given the Kiwis a window of opportunity to come back strongly. If they are able to take the wicket of Labuschagne now, they can put some real pressure on the hosts. The middle order of Australia will finally be tested but with Lockie Ferguson off with a calf injury, they have at least one less thing to worry about.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up ball on off, Marnus drives it to cover for nothing.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated ball on off, Marnus pushes this to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle, blocked.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Loopy ball on middle, Wade plays the paddle sweep to fine leg and gets off the mark with that single.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Floated ball outside off, Wade lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flighted ball outside off, Marnus pushes it to cover and takes a single.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Bouncer on off, Wade does not fiddle with it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Length ball outside off, left alone by Wade.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Almost another one goes down! Fullish ball outside off by Wagner, Wade goes for a drive on the first ball. He edges it towards Ross Taylor at first slip but the ball falls just short of him and hits Taylor on the knee. Warning early on for Matthew Wade.

Matthew Wade is the new man in.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. OUT! CAUGHT! Steven Smith departs and luckily for Latham, his dropped catch does not cost the Kiwis much. Another bouncer bowled on middle and leg by Wagner, Smith this time does not duck and plays the hook shot. He mistimes it a touch and the ball goes straight to Tim Southee near short backward square leg. Smith has to depart and the 132-run stand has been broken. Now it is a chance for the Kiwis to test the under-question Australian middle order. Will they be up for the task?

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Bouncer on middle and leg, Smith ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads of Marnus, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for one.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. OHH! Flatter delivery around off, Smith looks to defend it but misses it to get hit on the pads. Santner and the rest put in a huge appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. The Kiwis do not even think of a review.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. It's been driven superbly through the covers.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flighted ball outside off, Smith looks to drive it but misses it due to some spin on it. Ross Taylor catches it at first slip but there was no bat on it.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated ball on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. SIX! THIRD CONSECUTIVE CENTURY! What an innings from Labuschagne. He has made some giant strides in Test cricket since he replaced Steven Smith in the Ashes as the concussion substitute. He gets there by lofting this tossed up ball on middle over the long on region for a maximum. Can he convert this to a double now?

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter delivery outside off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short ball down the leg side, Smith does not fiddle with it and lets it go past him.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Back of a length delivery on middle, Smith whips it to square leg.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short ball down the leg side, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. BOUNCER! Smith once again ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Wagner bowls a bouncer around off, Steven Smith ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Short ball on the leg stump line, Marnus pulls it to deep square leg and picks up a single.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On off, driven to mid off.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it to mid on for nothing.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Finally we see some spin!! Santner flights this one up around off with a bit of spin and bounce, Steven comes forward to defend it but fails to put any bat on it.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Fullish on off, pushed to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle, defended back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated ball outside off, Smith drives this to cover.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Pulled away! Short delivery on middle, Labuschagne rocks on his back foot and hammers the pull to deep square leg for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Marnus whips it to deep square leg and picks up a couple. 1000 runs for Marnus Labuschagne in Test cricket. Moves into the 90s as well.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, Marnus defends it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length on off, Marnus guides it to point.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! How did he find this gap? Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Labuschagne runs it down between the second and third slip fielders into the fence.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on off, Marnus defends it to mid off.

Neil Wagner has a change of ends.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Loopy ball on off, Smith drives it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter delivery on off, Smith works this away towards mid-wicket and picks up a couple.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another flat one outside off, ML guides it to point.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter delivery outside off, Labuschagne looks to play the cut but seeing the ball was a little wide, he waits and runs it down to third man for a couple.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. 14-2-43-0 are his figures.

This is bad, bad news for New Zealand. Black Caps have just tweeted that Lockie Ferguson is off the field with a suspected right calf strain sustained while bowling in the second session. He is about to go for an MRI scan and will be reassessed in the morning. A bowler down in this heat, that too, this early in the series, is no good at all for the Kiwis.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Full delivery on off, Smith defends it out to mid off.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Good length delivery outside off, Steven does not fiddle with it yet again and lets the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Marnus drives this to covers and picks up a single.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. OHH! Good length ball on middle, Marnus looks to defend it but misses it completely. It hits Marnus flush on the pads. Southee puts in a huge appeal but nothing from the umpire. The Kiwis think of a review but decide against it. The replays roll in and Hot Spot shows that there was a bit of an inside edge on that one. Excellent umpiring from Aleem Dar.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short ball outside off, Labuschagne ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On off, defended out by Smith to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On a length on off, Smith defends it to the off side off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Fullish ball outside off, Smith shoulders arms.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith defends it to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full delivery outside off, Steven Smith does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone.

Neil Wagner is back into the attack. 13-2-30-1 are his figures so far.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! Southee goes full on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to deep mid-wicket and picks up his 12th boundary of the innings.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length outside off, Marnus leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish delivery on middle, Marnus flicks it to mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne leaves the ball alone.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

Tim Southee is back into the attack. 13-3-29-0, his figures so far.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flighted ball outside off, Steven blocks it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle, defended.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Fullish ball outside off, Steven pushes it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it straight but Santner makes a good stop to his right.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated ball on off, Smith defends it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter delivery outside off, Smith shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Marnus lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on off, Labuschagne drives this to mid off for nothing.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length on middle, ML defends it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! A rare bad ball. De Grandhomme drifts this one down the leg side, Labuschagne just flicks this one to fine leg for a boundary. 100-run stand up between the two. It has taken some time but it has been an excellent one after they lost two quick wickets.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, defended back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Santner tosses this one up on off, Smith is solid in defense.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. FOUR! Beautiful shot! Flighted ball outside off, Smith leans forward and drives it through the extra cover region for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated ball outside off, Labuschagne drives it towards cover and picks up a single.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Loopy ball on off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter delivery on off, Marnus plays it onto the pitch.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Just outside off again, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Another length ball outside off, Smith blocks it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Fullish ball on middle, Smith drives it to mid on and takes a single. Colin de Grandhomme has a shy at the bowler's end and hits but Smith was well in.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated on off, Smith pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish delivery on off, Marnus pushes it to mid off and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter delivery on the pads, Smith whips it to backward square leg and takes three. The fielder hares across and cleans it up.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated delivery on off, Smith lunges and defends it to cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball way outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper. Just 1 run off the last 3 overs. Kiwis tightening the screws on the Aussies.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On off, pushed towards cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Marnus drives it to cover for nothing.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full on middle, driven to mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on off, Labuschagne defends it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flighted ball on off, Smith pushes this past the diving Santner to mid off. No run.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter one outside off, Steven lets it go to the keeper.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle, defended back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith blocks it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter delivery on off, Smith pushes it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on off, Labuschagne pushes it to cover and takes a single.

Tom Latham has been moved to short leg.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Better from Smith! Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it to mid on for nothing.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. OHH! Why are you playing these kind of shots, Smith? Full delivery way outside off, Steven goes for an extravagant drive but misses it completely. Could have left that ball alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone by Smith.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Fullish delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Good length delivery on off, Smith pushes it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to partner Santner from the other end.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter delivery on middle, Smith works it to the leg side and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on off, Labuschagne drives it to mid off and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flat one on off, Marnus whips it away to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter delivery on middle, Smith works it to square leg and takes a single.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Loopy ball on off, Smith prods forward and blocks it to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Starts with a flighted ball on middle and leg, Smith defends it back to the bowler.

The final session of Day 1 is all set to begin! Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith come out to resume their partnership with Mitchell Santner starting the proceedings for the Kiwis. Can the Kiwis get some quick wickets?

... Day 1, Session 3 ...

The Kiwis were good with the ball. They bowled with discipline but have been unable to find a wicket. Lockie Ferguson was denied a wicket as Tom Latham dropped a catch at second slip of Steven Smith. The Kiwis need to pick up some quick wickets and try to restrict the hosts to a low score, otherwise these two can take the game away from them. Will New Zealand fight back or will the hosts continue to churn out runs? Join us in a while to find out.

Labuschagne is happy with his knock as he feels it is very hard to score with the ball not coming on to the bat. Adds that his aim was only to bat watchfully and not throw his wicket away, adding as much as he possibly can to the team's cause.

A sedate session but an excellent one for Australia. They have not lost a wicket in this session with Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith going strong and have kept the visitors at bay. The former has gone onto score his fifty while Steven Smith, after a fidgety start to his innings, has started to get going in the latter stages of the session with some lovely shots. The hosts would be hoping that these two can continue after the break and get them to a good score.

Jeet Raval to Marnus Labuschagne. Aggressive way to finish the session as Raval floats one outside off and Smith comes down the track. He drives it powerfully towards the cover region and takes a couple as the man at sweeper cover cuts it off. That will be TEA ON DAY 1!

Jeet Raval to Steven Smith. Shortish delivery way wide outside off, Smith works it towards point and takes an easy single.

Jeet Raval to Steven Smith. Loopy delivery on middle, driven towards mid on.

Jeet Raval to Marnus Labuschagne. On the leg side, Labuschagne flicks it towards mid-wicket for one.

Jeet Raval to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated on off, driven towards mid off.

Jeet Raval to Steven Smith. Starts with a shortish delivery on middle, worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Surprising, Williamson has brought Jeet Raval into the attack.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the hips of Marnus, he looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Smith goes back deep in his crease and works it wide of cover for one.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. FOUR! Smith in full flow! Flatter delivery on middle and leg, Smith comes down the ground and flicks this one beautifully in the gap between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Tossed up outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On the leg side, Smith works it towards backward square leg for a quick couple.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated on middle, Smith prods forward and defends.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off, Labuschagne works this one towards point.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Full ball on middle and leg, driven towards the mid on region.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle and off, defended by Marnus.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on off, defended from within the crease.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Pulled away! Back of a length ball on middle, Labuschagne rocks back and pulls this towards the mid-wicket region. Raval there dives to his left but the ball is way wide of him and the ball races away to the fence.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. On the pads, worked towards the square leg region for one.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman drives this to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated on off, pushed towards cover.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish ball outside off, Labuschagne creams the drive through covers and picks up a couple before Williamson can hare after it and clean it up.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Loopy ball on middle, Smith drives it straight down the ground. Santner gets a hand on it, hits the umpire and rolls to the off side. The batters pick up a single.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Very full delivery on off, Smith drives it to covers for nothing.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated on off, Smith blocks it out.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. DROPPED! Latham is the culprit and Steven Smith has been given a life out of all people. Length ball wide outside off, Smith goes for a wild slash at it but only manages to get a thick outside edge. The ball goes to the left of second slip where Latham is positioned. He gets his left hand to it but the ball does not stick and goes behind the slip cordon. The batters steal a run. Ferguson has been denied his first international Test wicket. How costly will this prove to be for the Kiwis?

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler. The man at mid off collects it.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Good bouncer by Ferguson, Smith sways away from it.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. On the hips of Labuschagne, he flicks this one towards deep square leg and takes a quick three.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot.

Lockie Ferguson is back with a change of ends.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle, pushed down towards mid on.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Shortish on off, Smith goes back and pushes it towards the cover region.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Tossed up on middle and leg, Smith pushes this one towards the right of the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated on middle, defended back towards the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Loose delivery by Santner, down the leg side. Smith just nudges it fine down the leg side for a couple.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated on middle, Smith stylishly flicks this one towards the mid-wicket region but Nicholls there does well as he dives to his left to collect the ball.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. His figures are 6-1-17-0.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Full ball on middle, Marnus again drives this one back past the bowler but the man at mid off this time cuts it off.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Full ball again, this time driven towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! One of the shots of the day by Labuschagne and runs starting to flow now. Overpitched by Southee, Labuschagne leans forward and drives this one down the ground for a boundary. Straight as an arrow!

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off, a slash from Labuschagne and he is well beaten as the ball whizzes past his outside edge.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Full ball outside off, Smith jams it out towards the point region.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Full ball on middle and off this time, Marnus pushes it back towards the bowler. The man from mid off jogs to his left and collects it.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one outside off, left alone.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball outside off, swinging in. Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! What a shot to get to your half ton! Bouncer way outside off, Labuschagne gets high on his toes and upper cuts it over the slip cordon and into the third man fence. A crucial knock at a crucial time from Labuschagne.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Bouncer this time outside off, Smith chooses to leave it alone.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Way wide outside off, swinging even further away. Smith leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads, Labuschagne works this one towards the mid-wicket region for a single. This brings up the 50-run stand between Smith and Labuschagne. Both of these batters are looking strong in the middle and will be aiming to go big now.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On off this time, Labuschagne powers it to the man at mid off.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on off, driven towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle, Labuschagne shuffles and looks to work this one towards the leg side but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batters opt against the run.

The umpires have gone for a run out check for Marnus Labuschagne. He looks well in. Let's see what the replays have to show.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. NOT OUT! Labuschagne was a little lazy in getting his bat down in time but gets in safely. Full delivery on middle, Labuschagne flicks it to mid-wicket and takes off for a single. Nicholls throws it to the bowler's end and hits. Labuschagne tumbles while getting inside the crease but looks well in. The umpire refers to the third umpire to check and the replays show that Labuschagne has made it inside the crease.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Very full delivery on middle and leg, Labuschagne pushes it to mid off.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish ball in the channel outside off, Marnus makes a leave to the keeper.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. On a length on middle, Marnus works it to square leg and takes a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Fullish delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Back of a length delivery on off, Smith defends it out off the back foot to cover.

Lockie Ferguson is back into the attack. 7-1-31-0 are his figures so far.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball way outside off, Labuschagne goes chasing after it. He swings his bat at it but misses the ball completely.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball, this time on the leg side. Labuschagne does well to defend it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. A bit fuller this time, Labuschagne comes on the front foot and defends.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball on middle and off, defended by Marnus.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. This time a much stronger appeal but again nothing from the umpire. Length ball on middle and off, Labuschagne looks to prod forward and defend but misses to get hit high on the pad again. Southee and the Kiwi players appeal but the umpire is again unmoved. Southee asks Williamson about taking the review but the skipper feels it is way too high. Replays roll in and show that Williamson was right as the ball would be missing the stumps by a huge margin.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length ball around middle and leg, Labuschagne looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pad. Southee puts in a stifled appeal but the umpire is unmoved. New Zealand do not mull over taking the review. Replays and Ball Tracker show that the ball was going above the middle stump.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Smith prods forward and pushes this one towards cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Smith goes back in his crease and defends it towards the off side.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. FOUR! Beautiful from Smith! Floated ball right near the foot of Smith, he whips it through the narrow gap between short mid-wicket and mid on and the ball races away to the fence.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Shortish ball just outside off, pushed towards point.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one way outside off, left alone by Labuschagne. 8 runs off the over.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Cracking shot! Length ball outside off, Labuschagne rocks back and cuts this one through backward point for a boundary.

This is a very important part of the session, day, inning, match and perhaps the series for New Zealand. They have worked so hard post Lunch, not picking up wickets but building up sustained pressure. They would not want to give it away through frustration by bowling inconsistent lines. If these two get off the hook, this will slip away pretty quickly.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the leg side again, this time Steven works it fine for a single.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Good length ball outside off, pushed towards cover.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Length ball outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length ball on the hips, Labuschagne goes back and pulls it towards deep square leg for three.

Tim Southee returns. 9-2-16-0 so far.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Landed outside off, well - what is that? A NORMAL LEAVE FROM SMITH! Rare, very rare. Lunges and then shoulders arms.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, defended from the crease.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle and off, tucked through mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Around off, defended watchfully.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle, flicked towards short leg.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Tossed up wide outside off, Smith leans and drives it towards short cover.

DRINKS BREAK. A boring hour but a testing one for the batsmen. The Kiwis have been disciplined, keeping the batters under check and giving nothing away. Just 34 runs in 16 overs since Lunch. But Smith and Labuschagne have done well too, not throwing it away. Yet. But Smith has shown signs of frustration with the ball not quite coming onto the bat.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Well outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, Marnus drives this straight back as an arrow but de Grandhomme does well to get his hand down to deflect it towards mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Slightly wrong in line and punished. Full and down the leg side, Labuschagne tickles it to the fine leg fence.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Very full outside off, dug out towards cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter and on off, Smith punches to covers off the back foot.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter on off, defended back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, defended towards covers.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter and on the pads, Marnus nudges it towards square leg for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up around off, defended to the leg side.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Floated outside off, Marnus drives it to mid off.

Mitchell Santner is back on. 3-0-12-0 so far.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Good length ball outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper in his trademark style.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle, Smith defends it back to de Grandhomme.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. FOUR! Poor ball! Good length ball on the pads, Smith just helps it on its way with an angled bat to the fine leg region for a boundary.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full delivery outside off, very rarely you see Smith play a rash shot. This time he loses his shape but still manages to play a drive to a ball which he could have left alone. The ball rolls to mid off.

Interesting observation from Mark 'Junior' Waugh. The former batsman says that Smith has not looked at his absolute ease today. He has been checking his shots a lot. Waugh draws an inference that perhaps, the pitch is on the slower side and the ball is not coming onto the bat that easily.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends this good length ball on off to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball in the channel outside off, ML does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Back of a length delivery on off, Smith guides it to gully and takes a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. BOUNCER! Wagner bowls this around middle stump, Smith does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Fullish delivery outside off, Smith drives it to mid off and shouts a loud wait on.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith whips it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on middle, Marnus plays it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Back of a length ball on middle, Smith tucks it to the leg side and takes a single. 100 up for Australia.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, Steven lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Very full delivery on off, Smith solidly defends it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Fullish ball on middle, Smith drives it to mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery on middle, Marnus looks to flick it but it goes off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg. The batters pick up a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length ball on off, Smith punches it to cover for nothing.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Wagner bowls a full ball in the channel outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Short delivery outside off, Labuschagne cuts it to deep cover and picks up a single.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish delivery outside off, Marnus drives it but finds the cover fielder who collects it on a bounce.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Wagner bowls a full one on off, Marnus blocks it towards mid off.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery way outside off, it is too wide to make Labuschagne play at it as he lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full ball on off, Smith solidly defends it this time to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. BEATEN! Full delivery outside off tailing away a bit, Smith looks to block it but misses it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On off, defended out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Smith pushes this full delivery back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith tucks it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Good length ball outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Driven towards the mid on region.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. A knuckle ball, extremely full, almost a yorker bowled at 111.9 kph, on middle stump. Marnus does really well to block it out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another full delivery outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish ball outside the off stump line, Marnus does not feel the need to play at it and leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short ball on middle, Steven rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith flicks it to mid-wicket for nothing.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on off, Labuschagne blocks it out to the off side.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne prods forward and creams the drive past the diving short cover fielder and into the fence. Two fielders hare after it but fail to chase it down.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off swinging away, Labuschagne does not fiddle with it and lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Beautiful piece of bowling! De Grandhomme starts with a good length ball outside off, Marnus looks to defend it but fails to make any connection to it.

Colin de Grandhomme is back into the attack. 5-1-4-1 are his figures so far. So the policy from Williamson is pretty clear. Use Ferguson in short, sharp bursts. If he doesn't come off, replace him with someone else.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short ball down the leg side, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short of a length delivery on off which kept rising, Smith hops and looks to block but is beaten by pace. The ball goes off his gloves towards point. Time for a short leg perhaps?

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. BOUNCER! It is bowled above off stump, Smith ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball on middle, Marnus defends it to point and takes a single. Wagner appeals but for what? It has gone off the bat clearly.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Back of a length outside off, Smith defends it to gully.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith whips it away nicely to mid-wicket but Raval over there dives to his left and stops the ball. He has a shy at the keeper's end but misses it. It would not have mattered as Smith was well in.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. On a length on middle, Smith blocks it out.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. BEATEN! What was the noise? Back of a length delivery outside off, Smith looks to defend it but misses the ball completely. There was some noise as the ball went past the bat. Wonder what it was. Well, you cannot blame Smith on playing that shot. It looked like he was playing well away from his body but the natural angle of Ferguson gets the ball into the right-hander. Which is why Smith looked to play at that. But on this occasion, Lockie got it to move away.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Short ball on middle, Smith defends it off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Wagner bowls a full delivery on middle, Marnus pushes it to point where Southee tumbles to stop the ball.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length ball on middle and leg, Smith tucks it to square leg and takes a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full delivery outside off tempting Smith for the drive. Steven obliges and drives it but finds the cover fielder.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith is solid in his defense. Wagner slips in his followthrough but luckily does not do any damage.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length delivery on off, Smith blocks it to the off side.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Fullish delivery tailing in on middle, Smith defends it back towards mid off.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Short ball on middle, Marnus stands tall and defends it onto the pitch.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Another full one on middle, Steven flicks it to deep square leg and picks up a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith plays it back to the bowler.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Outside off, left alone by Smith.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. On a length on off, Smith defends it to mid off.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith. Good length ball down the leg side, Smith looks to flick it but misses it. Jofra Archer tried it during the Ashes, Ferguson maybe is trying to do the same thing and get him out in that fashion.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Ahhhh... shouts of catch it but it is in the gap. Wagner bowls a length delivery outside off, Labuschagne slashes this through gully and luckily for him, it evades the man at gully and races into the fence.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus defends this good length ball on off to the off side.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. BEATEN! Beautiful bowling this from Wagner! Good length ball in the channel outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge of the bat and into the mitts of the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Fullish ball on middle and leg, Steven whips it away to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length on middle and leg, Smith tucks it to square leg.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Very full delivery on off, Smith defends it out to mid off.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. On a length outside off, ML lets it go to the keeper.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Marnus makes another good leave.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Poor ball this. Loose full toss on middle, Labuschagne is too good a player to miss out on these. He plays it straight down the ground for a boundary. Kane Williamson hares after it from mid on but does not reach on time.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Fullish ball outside off, Marnus shoulders arms to it.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length ball outside off, Labuschagne does not fiddle with it and leaves the ball alone.

Lockie Ferguson to Marnus Labuschagne. Full delivery outside off at 140.8 kph, Marnus leaves it alone.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl from the other end. 4-0-26-0 are his figures so far.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length delivery outside off, Smith lets the ball go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length ball down the leg side, Smith flicks it to leg gully for nothing. The fielder there dives to stop the ball. This was a ploy employed by Joe Root throughout the Ashes for Smith. In his final innings of that series, he got out at that position, attempting the flick.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, Steven shoulders arms to this one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. A half volley from Wagner outside off, Labuschagne lunges forward and creams the drive through the covers. They pick up three.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good length ball on the leg stump line, Smith works it towards square leg and gets the first run of the session. Smith gets off the mark as well. The fielders from point and cover give a chase and cut it off.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Wagner starts with a loose full toss outside off, Smith does not make use of it as he just pushes this down to mid off.

We are back for the second session! Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith walk out to the middle to resume their innings after the break. Neil Wagner will start the proceedings for the visitors with Smith taking strike.

... Day 1, Session 2 ...

Now, for people following Australian cricket. The last Day-Night Test in this country was in Adelaide but there the breaks scheduled were Tea and Dinner. Because the start time was 2 pm local. However, here in Perth, the match has started at 1 pm, so it will be Lunch. Join us back at 3.40 pm local (0740 GMT).

Nothing much is happening off the wicket but there is swing on offer. Credit to New Zealand for not bowling badly. We saw in the Australia-Pakistan series that if the Aussies saw off a small period, the bowling used to get inconsistent and frustrated. Nothing of that sort with the Kiwis. This looks a flat bed but rest assured, they will make the Aussies earn every run on this deck.

Well! So it was not a one-sided session after all. It seemed to go Australia's way but at crucial moments, New Zealand struck, making the session even. Joe Burns might consider himself unlucky, adjudged LBW but Ball Tracker showing the ball to be missing leg while Warner will also feel a bit unlucky, falling to a superb catch.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and outside off, Marnus defends it to the off side to see off the session. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 1!

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne drives this fuller one down the ground but Southee fields it in his followthrough.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus shoulders arms to this length ball outside off for the keeper.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and outside off, Marnus leaves it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and on off, Marnus defends it towards covers.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and around off, left alone by Marnus, the clone of Smith.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. WIDE! BOUNCER! Southee goes way too short. Folks, this is Perth where the ball bounces higher than most of the cricket grounds in the world. This time Southee bends his back and makes the ball kick up from the surface. It bounces way too high over the batsman and the keeper too collects it with a high jump. The umpire calls it a wide.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A bouncer, around leg, Steven gets across and ducks. Very good over from Wagner, getting Warner.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Good start. Full and around off, swinging in, Smith pushes it back towards the bowler.

Who is in? The man who was shadow practicing in the dressing room moments ago. Steven Smith. Just 5 minutes left for Lunch. Can New Zealand get him out cheaply?

Neil Wagner to David Warner. OUT! Stunning caught and bowled! Neil Wagner, you beauty. Low full toss, outside off, Warner looks to push it back. However, he cannot keep it down. It is not that high either. Just about goes inches above the ground to Wagner and what does the fast bowler do? Gets low, sticks out his right hand and voila! It sticks! Warner initially hangs around, wanting a confirmation but Wagner claims his catch and the umpires get together. It appears as if it is going to be referred upstairs but nope, Warner is happy with Wagner's confirmation and looks like Aleem Dar has signalled to Nigel Llong that Wagner plucked it inches above the ground. Stunning, absolutely stunning.

That is a stunner from Wagner! But Warner is not going anywhere. The umpires check it upstairs but NOW, Warner is walking off. Seems like he has taken Wagner's word and yes, the replays confirm that it is a spectacular catch. Bravo, Wagner!

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Hmmm... tempting line. Full and outside off, Warner thinks about leaving it but at the last moment, wants to play. Does so with soft hands and under-edges it behind.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. A fine ball, outside off, almost a yorker, dug out to the off side.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Good start. Full and around off, really good shape away from the left-hander, Warner pushes it towards mid off.

Looks like Steven Smith is bored. He gets up in the dressing room, puts on his gloves and starts shadow practicing. Neil Wagner returns. 5-1-16-0 so far. 10 minutes to go to Lunch.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Would have been close there had Lockie Ferguson fielded there. Southee bowls one on the middle and leg stump line and Marnus drives it towards mid on. He immediately calls for a single. Lockie at mid on is alert there as he hares towards the ball but takes his eyes off the ball and misfields. In the end the batsmen make their respective grounds.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and on off, Marnus defends it back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Three leaves in a row. Marnus leaves this length ball outside off once again for the keeper.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball outside off, Marnus leaves it by imitating Steven Smith.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and outside off, Marnus is in no mood to play at it.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up on off, Marnus drives it through mid off for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Floated wide outside off, allowing Marnus to open his arms. He obliges by driving it through covers. The quick outfield does the rest as the ball races to the fence in no time.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter and on the pads, Marnus tucks it to short leg.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Marnus defends it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flighted one on off, defended to the off side.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Tossed up on off, Warner pushes it to long on for a run.

CRICKET UPDATE - Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, rain has taken centrestage in the historic first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Play began this morning with the Lankans' score reading 202/5 but in less than 8 overs, the overcast skies opened up and what began as a drizzle has turned into very heavy rain. It is Lunch on Day 2, with Sri Lanka stationed at 222/5. They won the toss on Wednesday.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, defended solidly towards short cover.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Full and outside off, Warner drives it through point for a single.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Once again Warner looks to flick this length ball off his pads but fails to lay bat on ball.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Full and on the pads, Warner flicks it but to the man at mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Good length and outside off, Warner defends it off the outside half of his bat to the off side.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Length delivery around off, Warner defends it off the front foot to the off side.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up around off, Marnus is happy to defend it.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flighted one around off, Marnus blocks it off the front foot.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Flatter one outside off, Warner gets it off the outside half of his bat towards point for a run.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Tossed up on off, Warner tucks it to short leg.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Tossed up around off, Warner blocks it off the front foot.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Once again starts the over with a bad delivery as he sprays one down the leg side and once again Warner looks to go for the sweep but misses it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Marnus leaves it for the keeper to take it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne defends this length ball off the front foot towards the leg side.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and going down the leg side. Marnus looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and around off, Marnus shoulders arms to this one.

Tim Southee to David Warner. On a length outside off, Warner pushes it through the covers for a single.

Tim Southee is back on. 5-2-11-0 so far. New Zealand would love to get another wicket before the break. Roughly 30 minutes to go.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up on off, driven to mid on.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Flatter one on off, Warner drives it through mid on for a run.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot to the off side.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. FOUR! EDGED AWAY! Fractionally short outside off, Warner looks to cut but there is extra bounce on this one. That induces an outside edge but it flies well wide of first slip to the third man fence.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Tossed up and on off, Warner defends it to the off side.

Mitchell Santner to David Warner. A rank bad ball to start. Santner sprays one down the leg side and Warner looks to sweep it towards fine leg but misses. The batsmen take a couple. The umpire signals it as byes.

Spin time. Mitchell Santner into the attack.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, driven towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Another leave outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Warner seems to be having some issues with the sightscreen. Points it out to Aleem Dar.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Full and outside off, Warner drives it through the covers but Mitchell Santner dives at short extra to take some sting off the ball. It goes slowly towards sweeper cover but Henry Nicholls charges in to ensure that the batsmen are restricted to a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Around off, watchfully defended again.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! This time Marnus is successful in finding the gap. Wagner overpitches it and Labuschagne brings out the straightest of bats as he drives it through mid off. Kane Williamson is not too wide there and runs across to his right, putting in a dive as well but fails to get to the ball. The ball races to the long off fence.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and outside off, Marnus lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Beautifully stroked but straight to the man. Marnus plays a free-flowing drive but finds mid off to perfection.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Length and on the pads, Warner tucks it towards the leg side and hares to the other end quickly.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Length and on middle, Warner defends it to mid on.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Full and outside off, Warner defends it off the outside half of his bat towards gully.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and outside off, Labuschagne lets it be.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Another full length ball on off, Marnus drives it to short cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Marnus defends it to short cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Fuller and around off, Warner drives it through covers for a single. Initially calls for a couple but has to settle for one as the fielder is quick to get to the ball.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Length and on off, defended off the front foot.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. BEATEN! Length and in that channel outside off, Marnus looks to defend it but the ball goes past the outside edge and into the mitts of the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller once again and Marnus drives it through cover-point for a brace.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller in length and around off, this time makes Labuschagne play as he defends it towards mid off.

Wagner is rubbing his shoes. Probably trying to remove the dirt off the spikes.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one wide outside off, Marnus is leaving it in a weird fashion.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and outside off, Marnus leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. There is that pull-leave again. Full and outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms and then pulls, with the ball nowhere near the bat.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Good length and outside off, Warner defends it to covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Length and around off, defended back to the bowler once again.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. NO BALL. CdG has overstepped here. He bowls a yorker outside off, Warner defends it back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Full and around off, Warner drives it to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Length and outside off, left alone by Warner.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Full and around off, Warner defends it straight to the man at covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Full and outside off, Warner drives it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Short and on middle, Marnus pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a brace.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and outside off, Labuschagne does a Smithesque action as he leaves again. How? Walking across, shouldering arms and then playing the horizontal pull through air, before the ball can even get to him.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and wide of off, Marnus leaves it just like Smith does.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Full and on the pads, Warner flicks it through mid-wicket but the fielder gets across from deep square leg and stops it in front of the ropes. The batsmen take a comfortable three.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Length and on the pads, Marnus works it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Short and on middle and leg, Warner pulls it through fine leg for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! Well, that has come out of nowhere. Not the Drinks break, but the wicket. The Aussie openers were looking unperturbed apart from the one-odd ball here and there but Colin has struck at the opportune time. It seemed like the session was having one-way traffic but things might change now. Marnus Labuschagne is the new batsman in.

Colin de Grandhomme to Joe Burns. OUT! LBW! Well, 29 out of Colin de Grandhomme's 38 Test wickets have been top 6 batsmen. Make that 30 out of 39. Kane Williamson's policy to go to his gun bowler, or well dibbly-dobbly, if you like, has paid rich dividends. That is the strength of CdG. People take him lightly and he punches you above his weight. His strength is accuracy and he keeps the balls pretty straight. No different here. Fuller in length, hint of inswing, Burns plays a lazy flick shot and misses it. Cannot do that. However slow the ball might be. Is pinged on the pads flush in front and Colin starts to celebrate, then appeals. Umpire Aleem Dar takes his time but then raises his finger. Burns walks towards his partner, has a discussion about the review but Warner is not too hopeful. Here comes Ball Tracker. MISSING LEG STUMP! Well, well, well. Tim Paine or no Tim Paine, reviews are not Australia's forte. The solid-looking stand is broken.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. On a length on middle, Warner tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Good length delivery outside off, Warner lets it go.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Outside off, Warner leaves it alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. On a good length on off, David defends it off the front foot.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Outside off, Warner offers no shot to this one.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. On a good length on middle, Burns looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Full delivery on off, Burns drives it towards mid off.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Outside off, Joe shoulders arms to this one.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Full again on middle, Warner drives it towards mid on for a run.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Full and around off, Warner drives it uppishly towards cover. The ball almost carries towards short extra cover where the fielder gets across but the ball lands just in front.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Full delivery on middle, Burns flicks it towards mid-wicket where Colin de Grandhomme tries to stop it but loses his balance and slips. The batsmen manage to take a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Outside off, Warner lets it go.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Full delivery on off, Warner drives it to short covers where the fielder does well to stop it with a dive.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. On a good length on off, David defends it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Bowls it down the leg side, Warner looks to flick but misses it.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Good length delivery on off, David defends it off the front foot.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. On a good length on off, Warner plays it to covers.

Double bowling change. Colin de Grandhomme into the attack.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Huge shout for LBW! Turned down. No shot offered. So impact does not matter. Worth a review? The Kiwis don't think so. A length ball, around off, Burns gets across and then shoulders arms, expecting the ball to go away with the angle. But the ball comes in and hits the batsman on the pads. Wagner appeals but the umpire turns it down. Ball Tracker shows it to be going past the off stump on angle and height.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. On a good length on off, Burns defends it off the front foot.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Full again outside off, Joe drives it to mid off again.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Fuller length on off, Burns drives it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. On a good length on off, Burns defends it off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Joe Burns. Full delivery on middle, Burns plays it back towards the bowler.

First bowling change of the day. Neil Wagner into the attack.

Tim Southee to David Warner. On a good length on off, David defends it out.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Good length delivery outside off, Warner does not bother to play at that.

Tim Southee to David Warner. On a good length on off, Warner keeps it out.

Tim Southee to David Warner. FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, a touch wide, Warner reaches out and drives it through point for a boundary.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Outside off, Warner offers no shot to this one.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Full delivery on off, David plays it to covers.

What happened there? Southee was ready to fire in but Warner backed away at the last moment. The ball was fired just over the stumps but dead ball is signalled.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. On a length on off, Warner plays it towards covers. The batsmen cross ends.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Full delivery outside off, Burns drives it through covers. Kane Williamson chases it from short extra and does well to stop it with a slide. The batsmen get three runs.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Outside off, Burns shoulders arms to this one.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Bowls a bouncer, Burns does well to duck under it.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. Length delivery on middle, Warner nudges it towards fine leg for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. FOUR! WHACK! Full and outside off, a touch wide, Warner leans and drives it uppishly. Not a soul between mid off and gully and the ball races to the fence.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. On a length outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Full and outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Landed outside off, dabbed towards gully.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Around off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Watch it! A length ball, around off, Burns defends it back to the bowler. However, Southee fields and fires it back at the batsman who is hit on the body! Burns looks back, expecting an apology but Tim walks back!

Some repairing work going on around the bowler's landing area.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. FOUR! ELEGANT! Full and outside off, Warner leans and drives it through the covers!

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. A short ball, around off, watchfully defended.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. On middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a couple. That went off the inner half.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Another yorker, around off, dug out towards mid on but Southee himself gets across to stop it.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Full and outside off, pushed towards the off side.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. That is a jaffa. And that is the line and length to bowl on this pitch. The Glenn McGrath-Josh Hazlewood line and length. It is just inside the corridor of uncertainty, pitching just outside off. This means Burns has to play. But then, the ball moves away off the deck and beats the outside edge.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Full and just around off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Landed outside off, left alone.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY! Full and outside off, JB pushes at it but with soft hands. Hence the ball does not carry to Tom Latham at second slip. However, he is not able to stop it cleanly and it bursts through. A single taken. 10 from the over.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Around off, solidly defended.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. FOUR! Burns gets off the mark. Half volley, on the pads, easy pickings and he does not miss out. Flicks it through square leg.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. That is a top nut. On a length outside off, Joe looks to defend but the ball snakes back in, squares him up, goes between bat and pad and almost flies past the stumps again to the fence. But Watling dives to his left and makes a terrific stop.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Outside off, left alone.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. FIVE WIDES! Fast but too short. Clearly, Lockie is just looking to rattle the Aussies. But he is slightly struggling with his line at the moment. This is a bouncer but the line is well outside leg. Burns does not even need to duck while Watling has no time to even try and attempt a dive to his left. Would not have mattered. It flew over his head to the fine leg fence.

Tim Southee to David Warner. FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Good cricket all around. A half volley wide outside off, Warner leans and drives it through the covers. At first glance, it seems like it will race away to the fence. But never assume when a Kiwi is playing. Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner chase it in pairs from cover and mid off with the former getting to the ball first. He dives, pulls the ball back in and parries it to Santner who returns the throw. But the batsmen run all four!

Square leg going back on the boundary. New Zealand tinkering early.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Excellent ball. Something different from the previous ones. A fine yorker, around middle, well dug out.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Miles outside off, on a length, let through once again.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Full and straight, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to David Warner. A length ball, around off, swinging in, David looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Excellent batting. There are two men - one at short mid-wicket and one at a very shortish mid on, almost near silly mid on. But Warner works this between them and gets a couple. Terrific precision and placement.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Outside off, left alone.

The players are wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to the victims of the White Island volcano which erupted on Monday. Still, tourists and locals are believed to be stranded there.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. There you go, that is the line. Full and outside off, that tempts Joe to drive and he feels for it. Misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Closer than the previous one, but left alone once again.

Lockie Ferguson to Joe Burns. Fast. Really fast. Full and outside off, 144.3 kph. But pretty wide. Left alone.

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner. A nervous start, probably aiming for extra pace, targetting to tuck Warner up. But it is a bit too straight, around middle and leg and David just helps it through square leg for a single.

Who will it be from the other end? Lockie Ferguson? You bet! Boy, that snarling look. This is gonna be exciting.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Full and outside off, tempting JB to drive but he lets it be. A tight opener from Southee, which saw plenty of swing with the new strawberry.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Right on the money is Southee, not giving anything away, landing this one full and around off, watchfully bunted down the track.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Around off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. More outswing, outside off, Joe leans and drives it straight to cover.

Tim Southee to Joe Burns. Full and outside off, swinging away, Burns looks to defend with the outswing through gully. The fielder dives to his right to stop.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Warner and Australia are underway. Full and outside off, David taps it towards cover and pinches a quick single.

The players walk out to the middle. Joe Burns and David Warner are the openers for Australia. Tim Southee to start off proceedings to Warner. Here we go, get the firecrackers bursting! Just a reminder, this is a Day/Night Test. So the pink ball it will be, to begin.

Kane Williamson honestly says that he would have liked to bat as well, simply because of the pitch and conditions. Looking at the watering on the pitch, he expected some sideways movement. Hopes that his bowlers set the tone right from the first ball. Agrees that Trent Boult is not quite fit and Lockie Ferguson makes his Test debut, hoping that the speedster enjoys his outing.

Tim Paine reckons that the wicket is very good and the conditions are pretty hot. Also adds that given the fact that Australia bowled last in the previous series, they would not want to bowl again immediately. Hopes with the hot weather around, the pitch cracks up. Is happy to have some consistency in his playing XI and is looking forward to play the second best Test team in the world.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson(C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Lockie Ferguson (DEBUT). The big news is that TRENT BOULT IS UNFIT. How will that ail New Zealand? On the other hand, Lockie Ferguson has been handed a much-awaited debut. His pace on this pacy wicket. Should be fun.

Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine(C and WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood. This was announced yesterday evening itself so the faith is shown by the selectors. But just a question to ponder. With so much cricket going around, shouldn't the fast bowlers be rotated?

TOSS - The spin of the coin has gone Tim Paine's way. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO BAT FIRST.

What about Australia though? Aren't they under a heavy schedule themselves? Post the World Cup, it was the Ashes. Then Sri Lanka. Followed by Pakistan. But in terms of competition, they have barely got anything post the Ashes. This series will definitely test two things - 1. Australia's dominance at home. 2. New Zealand's travelling skills.

It is a gruelling package for the Kiwis, first touring Sri Lanka, then hosting England, now coming to Australia and then playing hosts to India a month later. And the pressure of continuous cricket is taking a toll on the players, as very seldom do they play so much cricket in a year, let alone continuously. The fitness of Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme and Trent Boult is a concern and a last-minute decision will be taken on them today.

Woohoo! The most anticipated Test series of the year. Well, perhaps a bit more after the NZ-Eng one. But the rivalry between the neighbours across the Oceania probably tips this series over that one. Yes, it is Australia versus New Zealand in a 3-match Test series. The first one begins in Perth at the new stadium. Hello and a warm welcome.

So, how do Australia bat? Do they go all out and score as many as they can and give an hour to their bowlers tonight? Or do they just bat and bat and bat till Tea tomorrow? Only Justin Langer has an answer to our queries. The Kiwis are out at the sidelines, waiting for the umpires and the Aussie openers. David Warner and Joe Burns are out in the middle now. The Kiwi players too take their positions in the field. Tim Southee to bowl first up. Can he strike once? Tricky 6 balls to survive for the Aussies. Heavy roller in action right now. Probably, in the attempt of widening the cracks to trouble the Kiwis in the fourth innings. Finally, here we go...

Taylor did hang around a touch, scoring an 80, which was not the most fluent innings in the world but it did keep the Aussies at bay for some time. But the Kangaroos did get what they wished - dismantling the Kiwis before Lunch. Nathan Lyon did get some purchase off the track and he will be looking to do more of the same tomorrow as well.

So, a Starc special enables the Aussies to take a lead of 250. He wreaked havoc on Friday night, under the lights and picked up 4 by Stumps itself. Batting under the artificial lights is never easy and the Kiwis did seem like a cat in front of a car's headlights. They lost their openers pretty cheaply and in spite of a missed review for a caught behind against Williamson, he did not score much.

There are 13 minutes to go to Lunch. So we shall have 1 over before the break. AUSTRALIA ARE NOT ENFORCING THE FOLLOW-ON, which is not a surprise, given that they are a bowler short.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. OUT! Caught! That's it. New Zealand are all out. Lyon flights it outside off, inviting Southee for the slog. He obliges and launches it out of the park. He, however, only manages to slice it up high towards point. Neser settles under it and pouches it easily. Southee was defending till the time he had Santner for company but now with an injured Ferguson at the other end, Southee had no other choice than trying to score quickly. He tries and perishes in that attempt. NEW ZEALAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 166.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flatter one and outside off, Southee keeps it out.

Marnus Labuschagne to Lockie Ferguson. Wide outside off, it is left alone. End of an excellent over from Labuschagne.

Marnus Labuschagne to Lockie Ferguson. Beaten! Nice turn and bounce! It pitches around middle and off and then turns away from the defensive prod of Ferguson.

Lockie Ferguson does come out to bat. This is not to avoid the follow-on, but more to try and keep Australian bowlers as much as possible in the heat. Not sure there will be too many quick singles or too much running at all. Might give some license to Southee to go berserk. 15 minutes to Lunch, which will be extended, if this last wicket does not fall.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. OUT! BOWLED! Off the rough! Aha... Marnus Warne has a wicket. Nope, that is not a mistake in the name. That is genuinely a good ball. Full and outside off, Santner looks to drive. But this one has landed on the rough. It then spins back in, goes past the inside edge and hits the timber. Marnus is running along, almost doing an Imran Tahir.

The on-air commentators, Brendon Julian and Ian Smith have an interesting discussion. Should Australia bowl tonight under the lights? Because that is the time when the ball moves like a hoop. However, they are a bowler short as well. Julian reckons that the team should go for it and bowl under lights.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. Around off, watchfully defended.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. Around off, defended from the crease.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Shortish length ball around off, Southee goes back and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Looks to sweep this time but misses. It is outside off though but Southee goes for the sweep but misses out.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flighted ball outside off, Southee comes forward to defend but misses out to get hit on the thigh pad.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Beaten! It is outside off and a flatter one, Southee goes to cut but misses.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. Full and on off, Santner drives it back to the bowler nicely. However, Labuschagne gets down to field. It is too straight and hence it goes to hit the stumps. A stifled appeal from Marnus. Aleem Dar goes upstairs. The replays roll in, and it is not sure if Marnus got his hands to the ball. However, Southee is in his crease so not out it is.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Labuschagne is not sure. But Aleem Dar goes upstairs. Not quite sure whether there was any deflection but the bat is well in. NOT OUT.

Marnus Labuschagne to Mitchell Santner. Fires it on the pads, Santner looks to work it around the corner but misses to get hit on the pads.

Marnus Labuschagne to Tim Southee. Bowls it full and just outside off, driven through covers for a single.

Marnus Labuschagne to Tim Southee. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Marnus Labuschagne to Tim Southee. Around off, pushed towards point.

Marnus Labuschagne comes back on. 3-0-8-0 are his figures so far.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. Shortish one, Santner stays back and pushes it towards mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. Around middle, Santner keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Edge again, but wide of first slip. Excellent from the sub Michael Neser though who dives and pulls the ball back in play, just before the ropes. Lyon gives it a lot of air and bowls it wide of off. Southee looks to block but gets an outside edge which goes wide of the diving Smith. It races towards the fence but Neser gives it a chase and makes an excellent stop to save a single. Three for Southee.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flatter one on off, it is defended.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Fires it full and outside off, Southee reaches out and pushes it towards cover.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flatter one around off, Southee pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Yorker now! A good one too but Santner is up for the challenge as he digs it out nicely.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Fuller one on off, Santner comes forward and defends it out.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Bouncer and around off, Santner ducks under it.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. On middle this one, it is pushed back to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Shortish and just around off, Santner stays on the back foot and taps it towards point.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Good length ball around off, it is defended off the back foot towards cover.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Short ball outside off, Tim punches the ball off the back foot to the off side.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flatter delivery outside off, Southee lets the ball go the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. On off, defended off the back foot by Southee.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. EDGY FOUR! Lucky boundary for Southee. Lyon bowls a flatter delivery outside off, Southee stands tall to cut it but it hits the bottom edge of the bat and goes towards the third man region for a boundary. Gets off the mark with that does Southee. The fielder from the slip cordon runs after it but fails to reach it on time.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Full delivery on off, Tim lunges forward and drives it to mid off.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flatter delivery on off, Southee punches this off the back foot to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Beaten again! Another shortish length ball, this is angled in too. Santner has a poke again but once again it goes past the outside edge. Another excellent over from Starc.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Beaten! A good length ball outside off, Santner looks to drive but the ball shapes away a hint and goes past the bat to Paine.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. On the leg stump line again, this is just behind shortish length, Southee looks to tuck it towards fine leg but misses out to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg for a leg bye.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. Another back of a length ball down the leg side, Southee looks to pull again but misses out.

Mitchell Starc to Tim Southee. Bouncer and a well directed one too. Southee looks to duck initially then looks to pull but gets hit on the arm guard. The ball goes towards Paine on the bounce.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Fullish length ball on middle, Santner tucks it towards square leg for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Full and just outside off, it is defended nicely.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Flighted around off and middle, Southee once again lunges and pushes it towards cover.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. On off this time, Southee gets behind the line of the ball and defends it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Slightly shortish length and around off, Southee goes back and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tim Southee. Around off, it is defended.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. Fires it on middle, Santner looks to defend but the ball takes the inner half and goes towards square leg for a single.

Tim Southee is the new man in. Quite possibly, the last man in too. Will Lockie Ferguson bat?

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! CAUGHT! What is happening here? Lot of confusion going around! The third umpire has told Aleem Dar, the onfield umpire that he has no conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. 5-fer for Starc, though it can be argued whether this was a wicket in the first place. Nasty bouncer, bowled around middle and off, de Grandhomme looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball suddenly shoots up. It goes off something to Steven Smith at second slip who pouches it safely to his left. Now, Starc straightaway celebrates and so do the Aussies. However, de Grandhomme looks a bit confused. He asks Aleem Dar who now gives it out. Colin looks bemused and consults his partner for a review. Signals the 'T'. Here come the replays. Now, by the first look, to the naked eye, from the side on angle, it seems like it has kissed the helmet. But has it kissed the glove or the outside edge? Now, Hot Spot shows nothing on the gloves and then the Ultra Edge rolls in. There is a spike. But, AFTER it goes past the gloves. The third umpire takes multiple looks at it and with every look, it seems like it has missed the glove. However, Marais Erasmus does not want to take any risks and tells Dar that he is not sure whether there is any conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. So, the decision stays as it is. Tough, tough luck for Colin. He will feel robbed. And the Kiwis are robbed of a review as well. If the third umpire is not sure, shouldn't the benefit of doubt go to the batsman? Possible thoughts about changing the rule?

Gone! Michelle for Mitchell! But hang on. Everyone looks a bit confused. The Aussies are celebrating but de Grandhomme is going nowhere. He asks umpire Aleem Dar who now raises his finger. Grandhomme has a word with Santner and then signals the 'T'. Not conclusive through the replays. Hot Spot time. It shows no mark while the ball is close to the gloves. Nothing on the Snicko either. However, the third umpire says that he has 'NO' conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. Pretty bizarre. De Grandhomme will feel let down here.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Short ball around middle, de Grandhomme lets the ball go to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for de Grandhomme! Back of a length delivery outside off, Colin guides this through the gully region for a boundary. He is looking in good touch here. Is he aiming to up the ante? He has got 4 half centuries in his last 5 Test innings. Not a bad time to make it 5 out of 6.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! That is hit with some power! Starc bowls a short one on off, de Grandhomme rocks on his back foot and pulls it with some disdain to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. There is a man in the deep but it is well ahead of him. He is more at squarish mid-wicket. One bounce and into the fence.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Back of a length ball on off, Colin guides it to gully for nothing.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Good length ball on middle, de Grandhomme defends it off the back foot.

DRINKS! The wicket of Taylor has made it Australia's hour of play. Santner, who will come next to bat is no mug with the bat though. They need 70 runs to avoid the follow-on but it is doubtful that the hosts will enforce it as Paine might not want to tire the bowlers out in this heat especially with one bowler down. Change in bowling too as Starc returns. He is one shy of getting a fifer. In the Drinks break, the broadcaster chats with Smith. Smith says that he was expecting the ball to come towards him in the slips. Tells that there's extra bit of bounce on Perth wicket and hence he always expects the ball to come in the slips. Adds that Lyon was getting a few past the inside and outside edges of Rosco, so the one taking the outside edge was always coming. On his catch late on Day 2, Junior Waugh asks Smith if he is seeing the ball well, Smith points that Waugh himself has taken quite a few catches in the slips in his hay days.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. OUT! Lyon strikes and the Australians get the massive wicket of Taylor. No century for him. What was going through his mind? Let us try and see this period off till Drinks? Lyon bowls it full and just around off. Now, normally, Rosco would have attempted a cover drive. But perhaps, he was consumed by the fact that there was a break round the corner. Taylor lunges forward and looks to defend it towards the off side. The ball goes straight on, takes the outside edge and goes towards Steven Smith at first slip. He bends low and pouches it comfortably, just above the turf. Also, commendable effort from Travis Head on the third ball of this over. Had that been a single, Rosco might still have been batting!

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Another one around off, Taylor blocks it out off the front foot.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Around off on a fullish length, Taylor pushes it back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. DIRECT HIT BUT SAFE! Floated delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards covers where Travis Head picks the ball and fires a direct hit at the keeper's end but Ross Taylor was well in.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. BEATEN! Tossed up delivery outside off, Taylor looks to defend but misses it.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery outside off, Taylor looks to sweep but misses it. Tim Paine collects the ball and whips the bails off but Ross Taylor was never out of his crease.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Fuller one outside off, Taylor drives it to the off side and will keep strike for the next over.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. On off again, Taylor lunges forward and pushes it to cover.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Short on off, Taylor stands tall and guides it to short third man.

Marnus Labuschagne to Colin de Grandhomme. Loopy ball on off, de Grandhomme pushes it to deep cover again and takes a single.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Fullish ball outside off, Taylor drives this to deep cover and takes a single.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Flatter delivery outside off, Taylor lets the ball go the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Some spin again! Lyon bowls a floated ball on off spinning into the batsman, Colin looks to flick it but it hits the inside edge of the bat and goes onto hit the pads. No run.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. OHH! Flighted ball on middle and leg, Colin looks to flick it but gets hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal made for LBW but nothing from the umpire.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flatter delivery on off, Taylor guides it towards point and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. On middle, pushes this towards long on and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Full delivery on off, Colin drives it back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Flatter delivery around off, de Grandhomme looks to defend it but it goes off the outside edge towards third man. Neser hares after it from point and cuts it off but cannot stop the batters to take a couple.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Shorter delivery outside off, Taylor punches it to point for nothing.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Fullish ball on off, Ross pushes it to cover.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Shorter delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. BEATEN! Quicker delivery outside off, Taylor looks to cut it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge and Paine collects it safely.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Flatter delivery outside off, Taylor leaves this ball alone.

Marnus Labuschagne to Colin de Grandhomme. Low full toss outside off, Colin pushes it to long off and picks up a single.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Short ball on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on middle, Taylor sweeps it but it hits Wade on the arm at short leg. No run.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flatter delivery going straight on outside off, Taylor looks to cut it but fails to make any connection to it.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. On middle, defended back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. What was that? That is some turn! An off spinner outside off, Taylor looks to drive that but the ball sneaks past the inside half of his bat and goes into the mitts of the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Flatter delivery on off, de Grandhomme pushes it to long on and takes a single.

Nathan Lyon is into the attack. 7-0-35-0 are his figures so far.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Shorter delivery outside off, Taylor cuts it to point for nothing.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Marnus Labuschagne to Colin de Grandhomme. Flatter delivery outside off with a little bit of air, Grandhomme cuts it towards point and picks up a single.

Marnus Labuschagne to Colin de Grandhomme. Floated ball outside off, de Grandhomme lets the ball go to the keeper.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Floated ball outside off, Taylor pushes this to deep cover and gives Colin de Grandhomme the strike.

Marnus Labuschagne to Ross Taylor. Starts with a short ball on middle, Taylor pulls it nicely towards deep square leg and picks up a couple. Michael Neser, the substitute fielder comes across from deep mid-wicket and dives to make an excellent stop.

Marnus Labuschagne is into the attack for the first time in this innings. Just a regulation slip for him.

Pat Cummins to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery outside off, de Grandhomme drives it uppishly through mid off for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Short delivery on middle, Taylor pulls it through square leg for a single.

Short leg is in place now for Taylor.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Bowls again a bouncer, Taylor easily ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Bowls a bumper outside leg, Taylor does well to duck under it.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. On a good length on middle, Taylor defends it towards short leg.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Taylor ducks under it.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Another short one but this one is on middle, Taylor pulls it to square leg and picks up a single.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Short delivery outside off, Taylor attempts the pull but misses it completely.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Nicely played! Short ball on middle, Taylor camps on his back foot and hammers the pull behind square leg for a boundary. They need 89 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. On a length on off, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. BOUNCER! Starc attempts a bouncer down the leg side, Taylor goes for the pull but fails to get any bat on it.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. EDGY BUT FALLS SHORT! Back of a length delivery outside off, Taylor looks to guide it but it goes off the gloves towards second slip where Steven Smith moves to his right and fails to collect it cleanly. The batters take a single.

Pat Cummins to Colin de Grandhomme. Nicely played! Full delivery outside off, Colin leans forward and creams the drive through the covers for three before the fielder can cut it off.

Pat Cummins to Colin de Grandhomme. Good length ball outside off, de Grandhomme pushes it to cover.

Pat Cummins to Colin de Grandhomme. Bouncer to start to de Grandhomme, it is bowled around middle, Colin does well to duck under it.

Colin de Grandhomme is the new batsman in.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. OUT! DRAGGED ON! Missed run out? No worries. Australia's golden boy is here, while Watling is out of here. Aussies have a real chance of bowling out the Kiwis for a low score here. Cummins dishes out a good length ball on off, Watling is in two minds whether to leave it or defend it and then decides to do the latter. The ball kisses the inside edge and goes on to hit the stumps. Now, it all depends on Taylor to help the visitors avoid the follow-on.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Outside off, left alone.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Got him! Caught behind! Nope. Full and outside off, Watling leans to drive but misses. There is a noise but that was of the bat hitting the ground. An appeal was made but Aleem Dar shook his head.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Full and outside off, Watling drives this through mid off and gets a couple.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. On a good length on middle, Taylor plays it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Length delivery on leg, Taylor flicks it towards the leg side.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On a good length on middle, Watling defends it out.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Good length delivery on off, Watling defends it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On a good length and just outside off, Watling offers no shot to this one.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Bowls a bouncer, Watling ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. FOUR! Classic shot! Full delivery on middle, Watling drives it through mid on for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor lets it go.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Full delivery on off, Watling drives it through covers. The batsmen cross ends. This time Nathan Lyon collects the ball from point and returns a very good throw. The crowd cheers.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Oh dear, oh dear, pain for Paine and Australia. And guess who is down in more pain? Nathan Lyon. Remember Headingley a few months ago? More fondly remembered as Stokesingley? Nathan Lyon missed a series-winning run out there. But here, not too sure whether he can be blamed totally. Length delivery on off, Taylor taps it towards covers. He takes the single and Watling returns for the second. However, Taylor takes a few steps and then says no. Watling has no option but to go back. Nathan Lyon gets to the ball from backward point, picks the ball and throws it at the keeper's end. BJ is gone for all money but Tim Paine fails to collect the ball and misses a massive chance of a run out there. The reason for the miss of Paine was that in the corner of his left eye, he saw Marnus Labuschagne get to collect the ball from short leg. Hence, he just took his eyes off the ball at the last moment. And hence, the ball bounces hard into his gloves and drops down. Watling comes back in. Costly. Really costly.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Bowls a bouncer again outside leg, Taylor does not bother to play at it.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Short delivery down the leg side, Taylor looks to pull but misses it. It goes safely towards the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Bowls a bouncer on leg, Taylor does well to duck under it.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On a good length on off, Watling defends it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On a good length again on middle, Watling defends it towards mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Good length delivery on middle, Watling defends it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On a good length on middle, Watling looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Probably height could have been an issue there.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Full delivery on middle, Watling flicks it to mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end. 10.4-2-34-0 are his figures so far.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side again, left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Is that out? Nope. Pad. A length ball down the leg side, Taylor looks to tuck but misses. The ball goes off something behind and Paine dives to his left to collect. Someone appeals but nothing from the bowler or keeper. Hit the thigh pad.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. A short ball, around leg stump, tucked towards short leg.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Around off, defended solidly.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. The Kiwis are underway for the day.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Not a bad nut to start. An inswinger, albeit a full toss, worked towards short mid-wicket.

The pitch now. Seems like one having some grass but the bowler's footmarks are making an appearance. Will those help Nathan Lyon? We shall see. For now, we are ready to begin the proceedings on Day 3. Ross Taylor and BJ Watling walk out to begin the day. Mitchell Starc to start off proceedings to Watling. Here we go...

New Zealand are in tatters. But can some brave soul amongst you stand up and say it is all over for this inning? Forget Hazlewood's absence. How many times have we seen BJ Watling fight hard when the chips are down and turn around a hopeless-looking situation? This match might be no different. The Kiwis will know that a good session might just take the chances of an Aussie victory out of this Test. And if they manage to get close to Australia's total, they could be in ascendancy as well. Na na, don't get us wrong. You might well see one of the remaining batsmen bat for 3-4 sessions and frustrate the Aussies.

All the sentences written below look good for Australia. However, there is one point not mentioned. The man who got Jeet Raval with a terrific inswinger. The man who has made the line outside off stump his own. The man who keeps inviting batsmen to drive, as if inviting for a Christmas party. Josh Reginald Hazlewood. A pensive-looking Justin Langer sitting outside the boundary late in the evening on Day 2 signalled some bad and serious news. And this morning, it was confirmed. HAZLEWOOD HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS TEST, due to a left hamstring strain. He will bat, IF REQUIRED, pretty much like Lockie Ferguson. Which means, Australia just have 3 bowlers to try and take the required 15 wickets. So if you see, the match hangs in the balance.

Friday was a typical Australia day. Bat long, frustrate the opposition and then rub it into their skin with a few overs left for the close. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, one can say, batted Australia to safety and then Starc just pushed the Kiwis to the wall. All in readiness for a massive first innings lead. But...

The third day. Often called the moving day. Australia well on top in this Test. But a bowler down. New Zealand are 5 down. But can work their way up and affect a draw, taking the advantage of their neighbours being a bowler short. 108 needed to avoid the follow-on. And two good sessions to bat on, with the ball not expected to do much under sunlight. Who will make the first move? Hello and a warm welcome from Perth.

... DAY 3 ...

All the Kiwi hopes will be pinned on Taylor who is batting on 66. He has looked unsettled and unconvincing in his knock so far but the important thing is that he is still unbeaten. BJ Watling is known to be a fighter and they would hope the rest of the batters also contribute to narrow down the deficit which is currently 307. As we have seen that the first two sessions have been excellent to bat and the Black Caps would feel like batting on a different planet on Saturday. Can they make use of those batting-friendly conditions? Australia, on the other hand, will try and take the remaining wickets as quickly as possible otherwise it could be a very tiring day for their bowlers. A lot to play for and it promises to be an exciting day. Do join us at 1300 local (0500 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!

A quick chat with the man of the moment! Mitchell Starc smiles and says that the last session had everything. Feels that they conceded a few more runs than they would have liked but they will take it after picking five wickets as well. Shares that the plan against Wagner was to bowl a few short ones and then hit the stumps. Mentions that Ross Taylor is going hard at them and hopes to remove him quickly on Day 3. On that outstanding catch by Steven Smith, Starc replies that he can pull off a few of those into his pockets and has taken blinders in the past as well. He's feeling bad for Hazlewood and hopes for some positive news on his fitness.

The Aussies had one session to have a go at the Kiwi batters and they made full use of it. They removed the openers in the first two overs itself. However, Hazlewood then walked off due to an injury which meant the Aussies were a bowler short. Post that, Williamson and Taylor stitched a 50-plus run stand between them and it started to appear that Australia will be in for a long day on Saturday. There was a moment in the play when Williamson had edged one but Australia did not review. It seemed like that opportunity and being one bowler short would cost them big but an inspirational piece of catching by Steven Smith to dismiss Kane opened the floodgates. From then on, the procession started. The Kiwis slipped from 77 for 2 to 97 for 5 and now face an uphill task to get back into the game!

Australia's day by a country mile! Everything went according to the plan for them. They mentally and physically drained the Kiwis in the sultry conditions of the first two sessions by keeping them out on the field. It was slow going for the majority of today with the bat by them but they did score some quick runs before being bowled out for a good first innings score.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Something to cheer for the Kiwis as Taylor plays a fantastic on drive to finish things off. Cummins is very full in his length as he spears it on middle, Taylor presents a straight bat and drives it past mid on. Neser (sub) can only retrieve the ball from the rope and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on off, Taylor looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Bowls a bouncer, Taylor does well to duck under it.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Outside off, Ross lets it go.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. EDGY FOUR! Just wide of the second slip fielder! What was Taylor thinking? So late in the day, that is not even a half volley, why would you go after that delivery? Length delivery outside off, Taylor looks to slash at it but gets an outside edge. It goes uppishly wide of the second slip fielder and into the third man fence. Lucky escape for Rosco. He would have been gutted had he got out that way.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on middle, Taylor drives it to mid on.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. A little too wide outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. On the middle pole, Watling keeps it out nicely.

Mitchell Starc to BJ Watling. Outside off, it is left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. One more short one on middle, it is pulled through square leg and a single is taken.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. 100 up for Kiwis! Shorter and on off, Taylor pushes it through covers and takes two.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Nope! It is a short one just outside off, Taylor looks to cut but it is too close to play that shot. He ends up chopping it on the off side.

Right then! It is hat-trick ball time. Starc takes his cap off, gives it to his teammate and then walks towards his bowling mark. An inswinging fast yorker coming up?

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Fuller and wide outside off, Watling does not fiddle with it.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. A length delivery to end! BJ is solid in defense.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. On middle, Watling gets right behind the line and keeps it out.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. One more delivery left alone as it is outside off.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Outside off, left alone.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Fuller and on middle, Taylor works it through mid-wicket and a single is taken.

BJ Watling walks out to bat next. He has been in red-hot form of late and is needed big time by the Kiwis.

Mitchell Starc to Neil Wagner. OUT! TIMBER! They have taken another on the next ball itself and Starc is on a hat-trick. The nightwatchman lasts just the one ball. Half the side back in the hut for New Zealand even before they cross 100. It is a very full delivery outside off from Starc. Wagner is in two minds there and eventually looks to jam it out but does so away from his body. It hits the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. The crowd is going mad. Starc is on fire! Australia finishing the day brilliantly.

Neil Wagner, the nightwatchman, is the new man in. 4.1 overs to survive the day's play. Rosco has a word with him.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. OUT! Nicholls is strangled down the leg side. Third time lucky for Starc. His third. The left-arm seamer is stepping up when his team needs him to do so. This though is a lucky wicket. The last two deliveries were similar, they were worked towards fine leg for two. This time though, it is another delivery down the leg side. Nicholls looks to flick but the ball kisses the edge and goes to Paine who takes it, appeals and up goes the finger. Henry is disgusted with himself as he walks back. New Zealand in deep trouble now. Can Australia get another before Stumps?

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Another two! Good effort in the field. This is on the pads, Nicholls works it wide of the fielder at fine leg. He runs to his right, slides and saves two for his side.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Two! Down the leg side, Nicholls works it wide of fine leg and takes two.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length and on off, HN defends it.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Shorter in length and outside off, Taylor rides on top of the bounce and pushes it through covers. Easy three.

Pat Cummins to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Nicholls offers no shot to this one.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Short delivery on middle, Taylor nudges it past short leg for a single.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Shorter and on off, Taylor drags it towards leg gully.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. On a good length and around off, blocked.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Back of a length again, Taylor stands back and defends it out nicely.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. This is angled into the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Some excitement around the bat but Paine does not review it. It is another length ball outside off, Nicholls looks to push at it but is beaten. Labuschagne at short leg is very interested. Starc though is seen walking back straightaway. No review in the end. Snicko shows nothing. Quite funny that from Marnus, he is the only one screaming in appeal and even said that he 100 percent heard the faintest nick.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. A bumper now, Nicholls spots it early and moves out of the way.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. This is on the pads, Nicholls looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. On off, blocked.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Fifty for Taylor! His 33rd in this format. Another fighting knock by the Kiwi veteran. He was peppered by the short ones, he looked uncomfortable but is still battling it out there. Half the job is done but still another half left. He gets there by working this short ball on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Bowls it down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses it.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. A single to end as this is pushed towards cover.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Cuts him into half! Double bluff by Cummins. The field was all set for a short one with a leg gully and a short leg in place. It is landed on a length and outside off. Jags back in. Taylor is rooted to his crease and looks to put bat to ball but his inside edge is beaten.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Shorter and on the body, RT nudges it on the leg side.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Played to the point region by the batsman. Two runs added to the total.

Pat Cummins to Henry Nicholls. NOT OUT! Once again Taylor is well in. The dive saves him there. It is shorter and on the body, Nicholls works it towards mid-wicket and takes off. Burns picks the ball up and scores a bull's eye at the striker's end. They appeal but the umpire initially shakes his head but then takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and they show Taylor is fine.

Direct hit but Taylor seems to be fine again! Can't say though as direct hit makes things interesting.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. A short one on the body, it hurries onto the batter quickly. Taylor looks to flick but it hits the higher part of the bat and goes towards fine leg for one.

Pat Cummins is back on. 6.4-2-19-0 are his figures so far.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Some chin music for the batter! Nicholls evades it nicely.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. On middle, this is worked wide of mid on for one.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Full and on off, Taylor strokes it through mid off and the batters take two.

The attendance at the ground is 20,018. And they have been treated to some very good fielding and bowling. Will they get a chance to cheer for one more time before the close? Just 9 minutes left but with 53 balls remaining, don't think play extension is in doubt. So basically, 39 minutes to bowl 53 balls. Does that give enough time to take 2 more wickets?

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Shorter in length and on off, Taylor keeps it onto the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Henry Nicholls. Floated delivery on off, Nicholls blocks it off the front foot.

Nathan Lyon to Henry Nicholls. Tossed up delivery outside off, Nicholls sweeps it towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Nathan Lyon to Henry Nicholls. Loopy delivery on middle, Nicholls defends it to short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Floated delivery on off, Taylor plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor defends it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor pushes it to mid on off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. The batsman works it down the leg side.

Mitchell Starc to Henry Nicholls. Good length and on middle, blocked.

Henry Nicholls is the new batsman in.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. OUT! CAUGHT! That is a stunner from Smith at second slip. WOW! A blinder. Probably the catch of the summer for Australia. The shot though can be questioned here. Why did Williamson play that? It is a short ball outside off, Williamson looks to guide it down to third man but does not commit to the shot completely. It goes off the outside edge and flies between third slip and second slip. Smith dives horizontally, stretches his right hand out and the ball stays in. A one-handed blinder to get rid of the Kiwi skipper. A special catch to remove a special player. Also, something outstanding to break a stand which looked at ease. Williamson walks back disappointed. Maybe a lapse of concentration for him there. Played at a ball he could have left. Australia back on top now. Kiwis trail by 339 runs.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Beats the outside edge! Not a lot you can do about that delivery. It lands on off which means KW has to play at it. He looks to defend but it slants away and beats the outside edge.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. On middle, it is angling away. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through covers for one.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. On the pads, Taylor looks to leave it but gets hit around the hip area.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Nicely played! Flighted delivery on off, Williamson guides it past first slip towards third man for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. Loopy delivery on middle, the skipper defends it off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. Tossed up delivery on middle, Williamson nudges it to square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards mid off for a run.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Floated delivery on middle, Taylor nudges it to short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the front foot.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Shorter and on off, KW guides it to point.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. One more short one around off, Williamson sways out of the way.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Good length and on off, blocked.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Good delivery! Gets it to land closer to the off pole, it angles away. Williamson hops and looks to fend at it but gets beaten.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. One more delivery outside off, Williamson lets it be.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Outside off, not played at.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery on off, Taylor keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Tossed up delivery on off, Ross defends it off the front foot.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. Loopy delivery on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Floated delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards square leg for a run.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Tossed up delivery on middle, Taylor defends it to short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. A couple! A full toss outside off, Williamson puts bat on ball and gets it through covers for two.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. On the shorter side again, Williamson nudges it on the leg side.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. This is wider outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Brilliant comeback from Starc! This lands on off and it is on a length. It pitches and moves away. Williamson is squared up as he tries to defend. Gets beaten.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Too easy for Williamson! Full and wide outside off, Williamson opens the face of the bat and hits it through cover-point for a boundary. He eases into the stroke, very elegant and pleasing to the eye to watch him play that.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. On a length and around off, it comes at an awkward height for Paine who fails to collect it. Hits him on the finger.

Mitchell Starc is back on! He was excellent in his first spell. Can he break the stand?

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. A single to end! This is tossed up on middle, Williamson hits it down to long on for one.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor lets it be. Paine does not collect it and it goes down to fine leg. A bye taken.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Well bowled! This is floated up on off, it goes on with the around the wicket angle. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge down towards third man for two. This is the advantage of bowling from around the wicket, both the edges come into play.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flatter and on middle, Taylor pushes it to mid on. Once again Lyon is a little too short.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Floats it up on off, Taylor strokes it towards cover. The fielder dives to his left and makes a half stop. Two taken.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Shorter and outside off, Taylor guides it to point.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. A bouncer on middle, Kane ducks.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Back of a length outside off, defended from the crease.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Oops! Steven Smith is on the ground and laughing. He has slipped. Outside off, Williamson dabs it towards third man. Smith races after it but cannot pull it off. He dives beyond the boundary and then tries to get up but slips. The crowd has a laugh and Smith joins in too.

Cummins to continue after Drinks!

DRINKS BREAK! New Zealand have fought back well here courtesy their best batters Williamson and Taylor. The Kiwis lost two early but then the two have weathered the storm and are amidst an important stand. Australian bowlers started off really well but the two batters now are playing them nicely. They are a bowler down which also plays in the Kiwis' advantage. Will we see New Zealand continue the fightback or will Australia continue to dominate?

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Third boundary in the over! This is deft by Taylor. It is quicker and shorter outside off, RT waits for it and guides it past first slip and into the fence. 50 up for the Kiwis. Also, that is the 50-run stand between the two. The best New Zealand pair comes to the fore again. They need to keep going though. They are still 363 runs behind.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Up and over! Once again uses the feet to good effect. He gets to the pitch of it. Takes the aerial route, does not hit it that well but clears mid off and bags another boundary. So that inside edge on the first ball is the catalyst for Taylor adopting an aggressive approach. Not wanting to let the offie settle down.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. On off, kept out.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Just wide! Taylor takes the aggressive approach. He comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and hits it uppishly. Just wide of the diving mid off fielder and into the fence.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. In the air... wide! Taylor was rooted to his crease there. It lands outside off and comes back in. Taylor stays inside the crease and tries to defend. It takes the inside edge and then the pads but falls short of the diving short leg fielder.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Angled into the pads, Williamson works it to mid-wicket.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Outside off, not played at.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Back of a length and outside off, Williamson pushes it towards the man at point. The two somewhat look comfortable now.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Shorter in length and on off, Williamson defends it right onto the ground.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Ouch! That might have hurt! Williamson seems in a little pain. This lands on off and it is on a length. Comes back in. Williamson looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the box. Not a pleasant 45 minutes for him. Earlier, he was hit in the same region by a shot from Ross Taylor. Williamson takes a breather but he is fine now.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Slightly shorter and on off, Williamson hops and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on middle, Ross blocks it well.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Loopy delivery on off, Taylor keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Floated delivery on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Excellent shot. Full delivery outside off, Taylor drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flighted delivery outside off, Ross shoulders arms to this one.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Tossed up delivery on off, Taylor defends it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Shorter and around off, Williamson keeps it out nicely.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Shorter and on middle, KW ducks under it in time.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Outside off again, it is not played at.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. On middle, Williamson stays back and works it to mid on.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Well bowled! In the corridor of uncertainty. Williamson looks to defend but is beaten as he does so inside the line.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. This is angled into the pads, Taylor works it wide of the fielder at mid on and takes one.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. One more dot to end! On middle, KW flicks it to the man at mid-wicket. A harmless first by Lyon, he was probably a little too short in this over.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. Quicker and outside off, Williamson offers no shot to this one.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. Flatter and on off, KW goes back and defends it.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Beautiful shot! A little too full this time from Lyon. It is outside off, Williamson reaches out for it, gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and creams it through covers.

Nathan Lyon to Kane Williamson. Gets this one to turn back in but it is a little too short. Williamson has enough time to go back and push it towards cover.

Nathan Lyon is on now! There is turn in this wicket, can he extract some?

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Bowls a bouncer, Taylor looks to pull but misses it.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Outside off, Taylor offers no shot to this one.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Good length delivery on middle, Taylor rises on his toes and defends it off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Taylor looks to cut but misses it.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Full again on off, Taylor looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the slip region.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on off, Taylor drives it towards covers where Wade makes a fine stop.

Matthew Wade to Kane Williamson. On a good length on off, Kane defends it off the back foot.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Full delivery on middle, Taylor flicks it towards square leg for a run.

Matthew Wade to Kane Williamson. Length delivery on off, the skipper plays it towards point for a run.

Matthew Wade to Kane Williamson. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. On the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Unplayable! Once again the first ball is a jaffa! It initially angles into the off pole which means the batter has to play at it. It pitches and straightens. Beats the outside edge of Taylor's bat.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Play and a miss! Shorter in length and outside off, Williamson initially looks to push at it but pulls his bat back in time. Now then, Snicko just shows that there was a spike as the ball passes the bat. Also, replays show that Smith was very interested, he did hear something but since the rest weren't sure, no review was taken. That could be a big miss. Williamson could really make Australia pay here especially with them being a bowler down.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Shorter and around off, Williamson plays it right onto the ground off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Tickled nice and fine! On the pads, Williamson plays it late and gets it to the fine leg fence. Runs starting to come now.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Another one on the off pole, Williamson is solid in defense.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Fullish and outside off, tempting Williamson to play a drive. Kane makes another leave.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. A single! Fuller and on middle, Taylor hits it past the bowler towards mid off for one.

Change of ends for Pat Cummins.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Very full ball around off, Taylor guides it through point and gets to the other end. So except for the first ball, it was quite an ordinary over.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Slips this one down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Angled into the batter, Taylor works it to mid-wicket.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. FOUR! This time Wade does not get away with the short one. It is on the body of Taylor. Not going to trouble him at that pace, Taylor pulls it through backward square leg and gets a boundary to his name.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Bangs it short and on the body, Taylor ducks under it.

Matthew Wade to Ross Taylor. Starts off with an absolute gem! Almost unplayable! This is fuller and on off, it seams away late. Taylor is drawn into the drive but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Well, well, well, a surprise here! Any guesses who has come onto bowl? Matthew Wade! Yes, you read it right, Matthew Wade. Can he do something brilliant here?

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Probably the first wayward delivery by the Aussies in this innings. Way too short and way too wide outside off. Left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Outside off and it is left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. One more short one on middle, Williamson stands tall and defends it onto the ground.

Two gullies in place! Williamson likes to run it down in these areas. That is his scoring region and Australia are looking to stop those free runs.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Good length and on off, Williamson plays it late and right under his eyes towards gully. That was trademark Williamson. You get a feeling, once he starts playing this defensive stroke nicely, he is at his best.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Bread and butter stuff! Fuller and angling away from the batter. Williamson waits for it and just opens the face at the very end. Uses the pace of the ball and guides it through point for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Three! Shorter and slightly outside off, Williamson hits it hard into the ground. It goes over the leaping point fielder. Warner from gully, hares after it and keeps it down to three.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Almost drags it on! Every ball it seems like Australia are going to pick a wicket. Cummins bangs this one shorter in length. Williamson fails to get on top of the bounce. He tries to defend but gets an inside edge which goes close past the leg pole. Another testing over comes to an end.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Once again awkwardly played! Taylor is living dangerously out there! Another short one and Taylor once again has problems. He somehow fends at it, it goes away from the short leg fielder for one.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. An appeal but too high! Cummins lands one more delivery on a length and around off, it jags back in. Taylor once again is done by the inward movement. He misses the defensive stroke and is hit high on the pads. Ball Tracker confirms it is going over.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. EDGY BOUNDARY! Full marks to the bowler here but runs for the batters. This is another length delivery around off, it straightens a touch after pitching. Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through backward point and into the third man fence.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Beaten on the inside! This lands outside off and it comes back in. Taylor looks to defend outside the line but is beaten all ends up. This is fast bowling at its best from the Aussie pacers.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Another superb bumper to end! It is short and on middle, Williamson picks it late. He initially looks to fend at it but then ducks under it in time. Paine takes it with both hands upwards. Another good over comes to an end by Starc.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. This time Williamson connects with the flick shot but straight to square leg.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. An ambitious shout but not given! This is on the pads, Williamson looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The Aussies might just appeal at every given opportunity against Williamson as he is the biggest wicket in this Kiwi line-up.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. No short leg and Taylor picks up a run! Not sure though if that would have gone to hand. Another short one and once again Taylor is caught off guard. He looks to fend at it by taking his eyes off the ball. It hits the glove, goes uppishly on the leg side and towards fine leg for one. Probably a short leg should be in place as Starc is getting the ball to bounce really nicely.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. On middle, Taylor hops and works it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Williamson just saves a boundary! Confused about what I just wrote? I'll explain. Starc goes fuller and on off, Taylor creams it right off the middle towards Williamson at the other end. It was so nicely struck that Kane had no time to move and is hit on the body. That was a certain boundary. Starc too is having a laugh. No damage to Williamson though.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Back of a length outside off, blocked back to the bowler.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. This time Willy gets well behind the line of the ball and blocks it.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. IN THE AIR... DOES NOT CARRY TO SHORT LEG! A length ball, around middle, Williamson hops across to tuck it to the leg side but is cramped for room. The ball bounces extra, pings the gloves and drops in front of short leg.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Off the inside edge, misses the stumps! Streaky. Cummins almost strikes first ball. A length ball, around off, Williamson looks to defend but the ball snakes in, takes the inside edge and flies over the stumps to the fine leg fence!

What has happened here? Hazlewood is walking off. He was talking to Starc but was not happy. He is holding his sides and gingerly walking off. So, like New Zealand, Australia too, are a bowler short. PAT CUMMINS TO BOWL NOW.

Josh Hazlewood to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Kane Williamson. A length ball, down the leg side, Williamson looks to tuck it to the leg side but the ball hits his gloves and lobs to the leg side. But no short leg in place!

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! Taylor is well in. However, the Kiwi players and the supporters must have had their heart in their mouth. A big mix-up. Starc does not follow the bouncer with a yorker but he bowls it full and it tails back in from off. Taylor works it to the right of Cummins at short mid on and takes off. PC dives to his right and stops it. Seeing that Williamson sends Taylor back who is halfway down the track. Cummins lobs it towards the stumps at the striker's end. He misses but Warner from gully rushes towards the stumps, catches the throw and then underarms it onto the stumps. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Australia are confident but Taylor seems relaxed. And now we know why as Taylor has his bat grounded.

Have Australia got another? They are already celebrating but Taylor seems to be in. The umpire has taken it upstairs.

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Nasty stuff from Starc! The Aussies have their tails up here. This is a sharp short one, probably first of this innings. Catches Taylor by surprise. He fails to get out of the way and hits him around the shoulder. A nasty bumper to push the batter up and now a yorker to follow it up?

Mitchell Starc to Ross Taylor. Gets this one to shape back in from outside off, Taylor looks to defend but once again there is extra bounce, it hits the splice and rolls towards point.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Good running! Shorter and on off, Williamson stands tall and drops it towards cover and takes one.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Drags his length back this time and it is outside off, Williamson does not fiddle with it.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Crisp drive but for no runs! Fuller and on off, Williamson strokes it right off the middle but towards short cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Ross Taylor. Another length delivery around off, Taylor guides it towards point, he wanted a run but is sent back. A dot means it is a wicket maiden from JH. Australia bowlers could have not started any better.

Josh Hazlewood to Ross Taylor. Good delivery first up to Taylor. Made him play. On a length and around off, it is kept out.

Ross Taylor is the next batsman in. The two New Zealand have out there, hold the key. Both scored tons against England in the last Test and they need a similar effort here.

Josh Hazlewood to Jeet Raval. OUT! KABOOM! Number two is down in the second over itself! So Raval does go early and has been knocked over. Hazlewood too has a wicket to his name. Gets the line right, gets the length right and that is the end of Raval. It is fuller and around middle and off. It tails back in late. Raval fails to adjust to the movement. He tries to flick it in the end but misses. It hits the pads and then the stumps. Another low score for Raval and New Zealand are in big trouble here.

Josh Hazlewood to Jeet Raval. Closer to the off pole than the last ball, not close enough to make the batter play though.

Josh Hazlewood to Jeet Raval. This one is outside off again but it does not come back in. Easy leave.

Josh Hazlewood to Jeet Raval. OHHH! That is pretty close. This starts outside off and it comes back in late. Raval lets it be and it goes just over the off pole. He may have not expected it to come back so much but in the end it turned out to be a good leave.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. A huge shout by Paine but not given! Down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick but misses. There is a sound as the ball passes the batter. Paine takes it and appeals but Starc is not interested. Replay shows it is off the thigh pad. End of a successful first for Starc.

Kane Williamson is the new man in. The skipper needs to play a solid knock here.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. OUT! In the air... taken! Latham is out of here for a duck! Now, now, now, who expected that? Everyone would have put his money on Jeet Raval to go early. Mitchell Starc draws first blood. The extra bounce does Latham in. It is shorter and on the body, Latham looks to work it on the leg side but there is extra bounce. He does try to take his hand off the handle but too late. It hits the higher part and lobs back towards the bowler. He takes a dolly moving to his right. An early breakthrough, just the start Australia wanted. Also, a good wicket as Latham is known to play long innings.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Good delivery and well played in the end! Shorter and on off, it keeps rising after bouncing. Latham does well to pull his bat out of the way right at the end.

Mitchell Starc to Jeet Raval. Raval is underway! A little too straight again, Raval looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the leg side and a single is taken.

Mitchell Starc to Jeet Raval. A little too straight and the length is also shorter. Raval looks to leave it but is hit on the thigh pad.

Mitchell Starc to Jeet Raval. Starts off with a very full delivery on middle, no swing on offer for Starc. Raval is solid in defense as he shows the full face of the bat.

The Aussies are already out in the middle. Pat Cummins is warming up, bowling through his run up. Jeet Raval and Tom Latham punch their gloves outside the boundary. Got a massive job ahead. Wait a minute. The Aussies are back in. Tim Paine gathers his troops and gives them some last-minute instructions. Now, both sets of players head out to the middle, following the umpires. Mitchell Starc to start off proceedings. Jeet Raval to face. Tom Latham being his partner. Here we go...

Australia would be happy with their second dig. Got Joe Burns back into form who played really well on a testing track. Around an hour left for Lunch. How many wickets will fall in this passage? Can the Kiwis have their openers intact into the break?

A 5-fer for Southee, on a wicket which has now started to do plenty of things. Yes, Australia are one bowler short, but this track is becoming deadly difficult to bat on. Expect the Aussies to return the short stuff favour to the Kiwis and someone needs to stand up. Technically, chasing down 468 in a scheduled allotted 165 overs is possible. But practically, on this track, batting for two whole days, to, forget a win, forge a draw either, is going to be challenging.

73 legal balls is all that New Zealand had to field today. This was coming, given that Australia had only one proper batsman in the middle in Matthew Wade. Yes, Pat Cummins can hang around but the short stuff from Wagner hurt the Aussies in their minds. They were caught in no man's land, unable to score and unable to defend and eventually lost their wickets.

Looks like Tim Paine is calling his men back. Because Nathan Lyon is rushing off the field, along with Mitchell Starc. Yup. Confirmed. Josh Hazlewood is not going to have to face the short-ball music as AUSTRALIA HAVE DECLARED, SETTING A TARGET OF 468.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. OUT! Caught at fly slip! Brilliant captaincy from Williamson to keep a fielder in that position. With Starc going after the balls so hard, edges flying through the slips are always on the cards. Exactly what happened. Fullish length ball outside off, Starc looks to power it over long off but gets a thick outside edge which goes straight to Taylor at fly slip who makes no mistake. Fifer for Southee. It's been a hard toil for the pacers and the Kiwi bowler kept coming hard and has got a fifer to his name.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. In the channel outside off, Lyon pokes but gets beaten.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Another bumper on middle, Starc pulls but has his eyes off the ball. Somehow manages to pull it towards square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. WIDE! Another bumper but line is wrong. Starc ducks under it. Watling collects it on the bounce. Called wide as it is way down the leg side.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Slower yorker this time. Starc keeps it out nicely.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Top edge but Starc won't care. Another bouncer on middle, Starc looks to pull it away but gets a top edge which flies over the keeper and to the fence.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Another short ball down the leg side. Starc ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Back of a length ball down the leg side. Starc lets it be.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. A bouncer down the leg side, ducked under.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. A down the leg side short leg side, tucked towards short leg.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, Mitchell punches it towards cover where the fielder misfields due to extra bounce. A single taken off the deflection.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, a slash and a miss.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. A short ball, outside off, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. FOUR LEG BYES! Bizarre decision from umpire Nigel Llong. A few overs ago, he signalled a dead ball when Wade did not offer a shot. A similar case for Nathan Lyon, but this time, he has awarded runs to Australia. A short ball, down the leg side, Lyon looks to tuck but then shoulders arms. The ball hits his pads and trickles to the fine leg fence. The lead is now 460.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. A short ball now, around leg, Nathan fens it down in front of short leg.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. A length ball, around middle, defended towards silly point.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Around middle and leg, tucked wide of short leg, towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

A man goes out to deep mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! ADMONISHED! A short ball, around middle, Starc pulls it through mid-wicket. Consecutive boundaries. The tail-enders would be looking to have some fun.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! Heaved away! A length ball, around middle, Starc heaves it wide of short mid-wicket. There is no one down the ground. A boundary. 200 UP FOR AUSTRALIA, LEAD CROSSES 450.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. Full and around off, well blocked out.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. Around off, pushed towards cover.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. Down the leg side, Lyon misses his tuck and is hit on the box. Ouch.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, flayed through the covers for a single.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! A length ball outside off, Starc just heaves it over mid off and clears the man. A bounce and into the fence.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. Outside off, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. A short ball outside off, pulled wide of mid on for three runs. The lead is now 442.

Interesting. Josh Hazlewood is padded up. Is he REALLY needed today? Okay... the lead is just 442. And if New Zealand bat for two whole days on a track which is ready to explode, yeah makes sense to ensure that you bat for two sessions at least today, with tail-enders in the middle. Bizarre from Australia. Also, JOSH HAZLEWOOD HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE BOXING DAY TEST. Here comes Tim Southee. 19-6-63-4 so far.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Comes over the wickets, bowls it short, Mitchell looks to tuck it away and almost hits it into the hands of short leg. Just short and wide.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Another one down the leg side, shorter as well, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Around off, defended solidly.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Down the leg side, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Full ball, for a change from Wagner, outside leg, Starc misses his flick and is hit on the pads.

Colin de Grandhomme to Nathan Lyon. Full and around middle, pushed down the ground.

Nathan Lyon walks out now. Could be the last man in.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. OUT! Caught! Wade is out of here. And, he is very, very distraught. A short ball, outside off, Matthew looks ready to punish it and pulls it really, really hard. But to his horror, he picks out Jeet Raval to perfection at deep mid-wicket! Surely, he did not want to get out this way? He takes some time and then trudges off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Wade reaches out and slashes hard. Gets a thick outside edge which flies over point to the fence. NO BALL signalled.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Around off, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. FOUR! WHOOSH! Wade is looking forward to take on de Grandhomme. Full and wide outside off, Matthew reaches out and blasts it wide of mid off to the boundary at cover!

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Starc comes in to face the short ball music.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. OUT! Caught down the leg side! Wagner gets the first wicket of the afternoon. In a way, it is good for Australia that Cummins is gone. They would not want their premier bowler to get injured to this short stuff. A length ball, outside leg, Pat looks to tickle but only manages a thin inside. Watling catches and appeals but PC is going nowhere. Now, he looks at the umpire who raises his finger and Cummins is happy to go. Wagner two away from a 5-fer in this innings.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. A short ball to the all-rounder. Around leg, rising sharply, but Cummins does well to fend it down, well in front of short leg.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Well bowled, well played! Wagner tests Wade's concentration with a full ball but the batsman is aware and ready. Flicks it towards fine leg for the first runs off Wagner this morning. The crowd cheers. So Wagner will now bowl to Cummins for the first time today.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A short ball, around middle and leg, Matthew looks to shoulder arms and is hit right on the bread basket!

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full and around middle, watchfully defended.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Expectantly, a short ball, down the leg side, Wade offers no short and is hit on the left arm.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. A bouncer to end the over, outside off, Pat sways away. So we are back to the Wagner-Wade duel.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Full and straight, around off, pushed down the track.

Point goes back now.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. FOUR! WHAM! The first real bad ball of the day. A short one, wide outside off, Cummins is up in a flash on seeing that and punches it through the covers. It is in the gap and races to the fence. Cummins moves to 13 now.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. FOUR! A bit too straight. Angling onto the pads, Cummins is alert and tickles it to the fine leg fence.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A bouncer to finish, around leg, Wade ducks again.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full toss now, MW misses out, flicking it straight to short mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Down the leg side, Matthew lets it go again. That was not far from the elbow.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. FOUR LEG BYES but dead ball signalled. A bouncer, down the leg side, Wade does not offer any shot. The ball hits his right arm and goes to the fine leg fence. The batsmen start to run but umpire Nigel Llong signals a dead ball, as the batsmen did not offer any shot.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Another bouncer, ducked again. How long will this duel go on? How long will Wagner keep on bowling bouncers? Till eternity. How long will Wade keep on leaving them alone? Patience-tester.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. One more leave outside off. De Grandhomme, as usual, testing the patience of the batsman.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Outside off, quietly left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. A length ball around off, Pat looks to defend but the ball bounces a shade extra, takes the outside edge and lands in front of wide first slip. Actually, it is almost a second slip.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Around middle worked wide of mid on for a couple. The lead is now 421. The stand moves to 11.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. A length ball, around off, coming in, Cummins looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is a mild LBW shout but that looked too high.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Down the leg side again, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. OUCH AGAIN! Wagner is softening Wade up. He is giving that nasty smile but Wade is smiling even nastier! Is he thinking, 'Wait till you face Starc or Cummins, mate'? A short ball, outside leg, Matthew does not know how to play that, so just offers no shot. The ball hits him on the arm guard but he shows no pain.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. OUCH! That has hurt. Wade is wincing in pain. A short ball, around leg stump, Matthew looks to tuck it to the leg side but the ball bounces sharply and pings him on the gloves of the bottom hand. Did that hit a crack? MW immediately takes his gloves off, walks away a touch but then makes himself ready to face. Tough man.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full and around middle and leg, tucked towards short leg.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Another bouncer, around middle and off, Matthew ducks again.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A bouncer, on middle, Wade ducks.

Neil Wagner to bowl from the other end. 17-2-40-2 so far.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. First runs of the day. Full and down the leg side, Cummins tickles it towards fine leg for a couple.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Full and down the leg side, PC looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the leg side.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Another bouncer, around middle, Pat ducks.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Pat Cummins. A bouncer to start the day, Cummins ducks.

The umpires and the Kiwis are out in the middle but the batsmen aren't. Because Pat Cummins is at the boundary ropes but where is Matthew Wade? Somewhere in the dressing room. Now, he walks down the stairs. Now, the crowd cheers. Colin de Grandhomme to start off proceedings on Sunday, to Pat Cummins. Here we go...

Runs are not an issue. 350 would have been enough as a target on this deck and the Aussies have crossed 400. Given that the wickets generally tend to fall in the final session, the tactics from the hosts would be to try and bat as long as possible. The cracks on the pitch have started to widen, so batting certainly won't be easy. Can New Zealand bowl the Aussies out quickly and get a good part of the day to themselves to bat?

11 wickets fell on Day 3. But crucially, 5 of those came in 1 session. To add to that, those 5 came in the span of 67 balls. That is a shade over 11 overs. Really, as Brendon Julian remarked last evening on air, it is difficult to spot the pink ball under floodlights, but more so once it is past 7.30 pm local. New Zealand found it very difficult on Friday, Australia found it even more on Saturday. That last session yesterday has just quickened this game, which might enable us to have an off on Monday. Hello and a warm, sorry, HOT welcome to the fourth day's play of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.

... DAY 4, FINAL DAY? ...

That's all from a lively Day 3. It was a tough day for the visitors but they will be happy with how they bowled in the latter stages of the day. It still looks difficult for the Kiwis to make a comeback with the lead already above 400 for Australia. Can they perform a complete turnaround or will the Aussies continue destroying opponents at home? Join us on Sunday at 1300 Local (0500 GMT) for the penultimate day of this Test match. Till then, cheers take care!

Australia had a good outing with the bat until the last session. Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne both scored half tons propelling the Aussies to a lead of 381. However, after that things went haywire for the hosts as their downward spiral started in the last session of the day. They collapsed from 131/1 to 160/6, all within the last hour giving the Kiwis a glimmer of hope when it seemed like they were down and out. However, the Aussies stay still on top with a lead of 417 runs and 4 wickets in hand. If the hosts manage to set a target of around 500, they will be more than happy.

The day started in a very good way for Australia as they dismissed New Zealand for a meagre 166 runs. Starc was the star for them as he took a 5-fer and pretty much dismantled the Kiwi batting order. The only players who could come out with some credit for the visitors were Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson who scored 80 and 34 runs respectively. Except for Colin de Grandhomme and these two, no one could even get to the double-digit mark, a rare sight for the Kiwis.

Tim Southee says that when the lights came on, something happened off the pitch and it becomes a lot more interesting. On being asked about how the absence of one of their bowlers (Lockie Ferguson) has affected them, Southee says that they are a team of scrappers and they all fight for each other. Adds that it is hot out there but they know that they have to do the job ahead of them.

30 overs, 92 runs, 5 wickets. That certainly gives you the entire picture of the last session. The Kiwis have made a superb comeback very late on Day 3 and are now walking off the pitch after a tiring day of cricket. The Australians will be disappointed after having bossed the proceedings so far in the Test match. With the players going off, Southee has stopped for an interview. Let's see what he has to say!

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full delivery on middle, Wade defends it back to the bowler. STUMPS ON DAY 3.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Just short! Wade is lucky here! Good length ball on middle and leg, Matthew looks to flick it but it goes off the inside edge onto the pads and lobs towards Latham at short leg. Tom dives to catch it but it falls short.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Back of a length ball on middle, Cummins flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Cummins looks to drive it but fails to get any bat on it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Bowls a bouncer on leg, Wade looks to duck but gets hit on the shoulder. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Full toss on leg, Wade flicks it through square leg for a boundary.