AUS beat NZ by 247 runs | Australia vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Test Match - Commentary

24 overs left in the day. How many wickets can Australia snare? Can the Kiwis see off the day without any damage? The players are back out in the middle. Tom Latham and Tom Blundell will open up for the Black Caps. Mitchell Starc will start off proceedings to Latham. Here we go!

Coming to the Kiwi bowling, did Kane Williamson call it wrongly at the toss? Or did his bowlers not use the conditions to the best of their ability? Or did Australia just simply play well? One would guess the third option. Looking at the 10 mm grass on the pitch, it would have been a no-brainer to field. The Kiwis bowled well throughout on Day 1 but they were kept at bay. It was only on Day 2 that their bowling let them down. Australia played traditional Test cricket, seeing off the new ball, batting patiently and scoring off the bad balls. Neil Wagner was the bowler who bowled with venom, even when things were not going for him or his team. He got 4 wickets with the best of those being the brute to Steven Smith and ironically, with one wicket left in the innings, it was Wagner who took the catch to have Australia bowled out.

Travis Head says that it is always good to contribute to what has been a good couple of days for Australia and hopes they can continue to do well. Further adds he has been playing well and he is happy to convert the start he got on Boxing Day into a big one.

For once, the headlines will not have a Steven Smith or a Marnus Labuschagne. Travis Head and Tim Paine will hog it. How well did the skipper play? His 72-ball half century is his quickest in Tests, which asserted that he was out there to counter-attack and not bow down. That lifted Head up as he went on to score a century and held the innings together. Here he is, talking to Kat Loughnan.

When Trent Boult dismissed Joe Burns with a ripper of an inswinger on the 4th ball of a match, little did we expect that Australia would cross 100 4 times. But this is exactly the type of scorecard that any batting skipper would want. 5 consecutive 50-plus run stands from 1/1, with the last one reading 150. Yes, Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne scored but for a change, they were not the only ones. Warner played a very good hand in seeing off the new ball in testing conditions while Matthew Wade did well to ensure that there was no collapse after the Labuschagne dismissal.

So nothing much post the Tea break for Australia. 36/5 in 8.1 overs. Ouch. In a normal scenario. It's okay. In this scenario. To make an overall summary, a phenomenal batting display by the hosts.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. OUT! Wagner takes the catch! No fifer for him but AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 467! A short one on middle, Lyon pulls it nicely, but it does not have the power behind it to clear the long boundaries here. It goes towards fine leg where Wagner takes a good catch.

Neil Wagner to James Pattinson. Misfield and two! A slower one, fuller outside off, Pattinson strokes it towards cover where the fielder does not stop it. Two taken.

Neil Wagner to James Pattinson. A short one on middle, Pattinson ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. On the pads, it is flicked through square leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Nathan Lyon. On the fuller side on off, Lyon strokes it to covers.

Neil Wagner to James Pattinson. A full toss on middle, Pattinson works it through mid-wicket for one.

Neil Wagner to James Pattinson. A yorker on middle, Pattinson does well to jam it out.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. On the stumps, NL plays it towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. Back of a length and on off, Lyon keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Nathan Lyon. On off, Lyon blocks it nicely.

Nathan Lyon is the last man in.

Tim Southee to Pat Cummins. OUT! Taken! Cummins bags a duck! Another batter dismissed off a full toss. Southee bowls a slower one, it is a low full toss. Cummins is a touch early in the flick and hence, it goes uppishly towards mid-wicket. Latham there times his jump and takes a good catch with both his hand stretched upwards.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. Southee lands this on a length and outside off, Pattinson plays it late through point for one.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. FOUR! Up and over! Tim Southee has now gone for 100 runs. A short one on middle, Pattinson pulls it over mid-wicket. No one in the deep so a boundary results.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. A full toss on middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket. A wicket maiden for Wagner.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. A short one now, Cummins looks to play the upper cut but does not connect.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. Confusion but safe! On a length and around off, Cummins strokes it towards Williamson at covers. He misfields. Cummins wants a run but is sent back. Rightly so as had they gone for it, it would have been very risky.

Neil Wagner to Pat Cummins. On the fuller side, Cummins strokes it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. OUT! CAUGHT! Wagner gets his fourth. However, the first thing he does is after picking a wicket is walks upto Head and shakes his hand. Now all the Kiwi players do so. Head walks off to a standing ovation from the crowd. End of an excellent innings from him. He too falls in the attempt to score some quick runs. He makes room again and Wagner bowls a full toss. He looks to go big but ends up splicing it towards cover where Santner takes an easy catch. Australia though continue to bat on.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A yorker on the stumps, Head squeezes it out towards point.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Another short one, Head pulls it hard but very close to the fielder at mid-wicket. A single taken.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On the shorter side, closer to the body of Head. He looks to upper cut it but misses.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. Fuller and on off, this is hit down to long off for one.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. A muted appeal! This is angled into the batter. Pattinson keeps it out with his bat and pad close to each other. Southee appeals as he feels it is pad first but nothing from the umpire.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On the shorter side outside off, Head cuts it behind point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and makes a diving stop. Only the one taken.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. On the pads, it is worked towards fine leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. FOUR! Crunched! Back-to-back boundaries! Head clears his front leg and this is bowled full and on middle, it is hammered through covers for another boundary. 10 from the over.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. FOUR! Nicely played! A short one and on off, Head plays the upper cut. It goes very fine on the off side for a boundary. 450 up for Australia.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A bouncer, right at the head of Travis, he just about ducks in time.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full on middle, driven straight to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A lovely follow-up. Head backs away to the leg side and Wagner follows him with a yorker on leg stump. Head just about gets his bat down on time to push it towards mid on.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. NOT OUT! Umpire's call it is! That was very close. It could have gone either way to be honest. Wagner runs in and lands it on middle, Head shuffles right across and looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters run two. The bowler in the meantime makes a huge appeal but it is turned down. After a discussion, the Kiwi players review. Replays roll in and it shows the ball to be clipping the top of middle and leg. New Zealand do not lose their review. The umpire after everything signals leg byes.

Review time! A huge shout for an LBW has been turned down. New Zealand review. Head is the man in question. Looks close.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. FOUR! Lovely shot to get off the mark! It is just behind a driving length around off, Pattinson creams it through covers. Latham gives it a chase and also puts in a dive but his effort goes in vain.

Tim Southee to James Pattinson. Full and wide outside off, Pattinson goes after it but misses.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Back of a length and on off, Head guides it towards point for one.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! 100 for Travis Head! Takes his helmet off and raises both his hands one holding the helmet and the other the bat. The crowd is up on its feet and so are his teammates applauding the knock. It is his second in this format. A very patient innings by him. He gets a gift to get there. Full and wide outside off, Head squeezes it through point and bags a boundary. We will now probably see him change gears here.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and very wide outside off, left alone.

James Pattinson is the new man in.

Tim Southee to Mitchell Starc. OUT! In the air... taken! Starc fails to make an impact. He was sent to score some quick runs but falls in the attempt to do so. Southee bowls a slower one, it is fuller in length. Starc looks to go over mid off but fails to get the correct connection. Williamson takes an easy catch. Two wickets in two overs for the Kiwis.

Tim Southee is back now!

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Misses out again! Full and around middle, flicked straight to square leg. Head stays on 99.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full and outside off, stays low, Travis looks to punch but ends up chopping it on the bounce towards first slip. The fielder dives to his left to stop.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Whoa! That is a good surprised ball. Wagner bowls a high full toss, which dips on its way towards the batsman. But Travis is watchful, sees the ball till the last moment and defends.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. There is the single. The crowd applauds, not for Starc getting off the mark but because Head gets back on strike. Full and down the leg side, tickled towards fine leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Mitchell Starc. Full and down the leg side, left alone.

Mitchell Starc comes in at number 8, replacing his skipper.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. OUT! LBW! Wicket for Wagner but everyone looks surprised. That review seemed to be more out of desperation but it has struck gold. A length ball, outside off, Paine gets across to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Wagner appeals instantly but umpire Marais Erasmus does not react. Now, here is the interesting thing about the review. The men behind the stumps are not too keen about the referral but Wagner wants it. Williamson agrees and signals the 'T'. To the naked eye, the impact looks outside off and given that Paine has been hit on the knee roll, the height seems to be an issue as well. But here comes Ball Tracker. The impact is in line and the projection is shown to be hitting the stumps! Even Marais Erasmus is surprised by that. But Paine has to go after a wonderful knock. The 150-run stand has been broken at last.

An LBW review against Tim Paine! To the naked eye, it seemed like the impact was outside off. Here comes Ball Tracker. Goodness me, impact in line and ball hitting the stumps! What a review!

Neil Wagner to partner Mitchell Santner. A real workhorse. 34-10-70-2 so far.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and outside off pushed towards cover for a quick single.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Turn and bounce there. Outside off, Tim initially looks to leave but then attempts to cut. Is beaten.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Outside off, Paine drives it towards long off but Santner dives to his left to stop.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on but short mid-wicket intercepts.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Moves to 99. Full and outside off, head presses this with soft hands towards cover and sets off for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

We are into the final session of Friday. 33 overs left. How long will Australia bat? 10 overs? 15 overs? Out come Travis Head and Tim Paine. The former is on 98 while the skipper will be on strike. Mitchell Santner to start off proceedings. Here we go...

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

Nothing much is happening off the deck. Expect the Aussies to come out all guns blazing post Tea with a 'nothing-much-to-lose' attitude. They may potentially look at playing till Drinks, get as close to 500 as possible and then declare. That could well pave way for some cheap wickets for the Kiwis. Join us back at 3.30 pm local (0430 GMT). 33 overs left in the day.

Is the match gone out of bounds for New Zealand? Well, if India, England or South Africa might have been batting next, they might have even covered the deficit up, with some fast scoring. But the Black Caps, barring Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme, are not known for scoring briskly. So, assuming our calculations are correct, it is going to be close to 2 days before they even get to Australia's score, let alone surpass it. But if they manage to do that, they can at least save the match.

The counter-attack continued from Head and Paine post Lunch and though the Kiwis tried to curtail the run rate, the partnership kept growing at a steady rate of 3.5. Both the batsmen have looked unperturbed and nothing much has troubled them off the pitch either.

A session which has probably ensured that the match and series will not go away from Australia. 95 runs in 30 overs, without losing a wicket. The hosts will be very, very happy and aiming for a declaration post Tea now.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Boo!!!!!! goes the crowd. the break. Full and around off, Head just pushes it towards point. TEA ON DAY 2!

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Excellent work by Tom Latham! Full on off, Heads works it towards long on. Or, tries to. But cannot get past Tom Latham who dives to his right from short mid-wicket to stop it!

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Full on middle, Head gets across and works it towards short mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Landed outside off, Travis dabs it towards gully where the fielder leaps to stop.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Ohhhh....opportunity missed. Boult gives a length ball on the pads and Travis Head has the full leg side part of the ground for his century. But he works it to the only man in front of square on the leg side - short mid-wicket!

Trent Boult to Travis Head. A length ball around middle, moving away, Head pokes it towards gully.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a run. Moves to 98. Got an over now, to try and get that century before Tea.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. A touch short, TH gets across and nudges it to the leg side.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Short and outside off Travis looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Good awareness from Tim Paine. He sees that the Kiwis are a bit deep for him, as opposed to when Travis Head is on strike. Just works it through square leg, looks at Head and calls him through for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Full on middle, Head comes down the track and pushes it towards long on for a single. Moves to 97.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. FOUR LEG BYES! Boult gets swing but loses his radar. Full in length, but down the leg side. Paine misses his flick but the ball goes off his pads, well wide of the diving Watling, to the fine leg fence.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Outside off, dabbed straight to gully.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. WIDE! That is short but a bit too high. It is generated at good pace too, but Paine just watches it sail past, over his head. The stand is worth 140 now.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Around middle, angling in, turned towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Full and outside off, swinging in, driven straight to short extra cover.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On a length, around off, Head hops and pushes it towards mid on.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Full and fast swinging in, worked towards short mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On middle, defended.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Slower through the air but shorter in length. Head slaps it through covers for one.

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

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. On off, TH goes back and keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. The arm ball outside off, Head looks to defend but does so inside the line, it goes off the outer half through short third man for two.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Very full and on off, this is squeezed out towards cover for one.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. One more quick bumper, it gets Head hopping as he looks to fend it. The ball hits the higher part of the bat and lands on the off side. A good over comes to an end by Boult.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Boult looks to follow the bumper with a yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss which Head dugs out towards mid on.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Good ball and well played! A quick short ball and it is keeps rising. Head does well to hop and lower his arms to let it go.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Close! On a length and around off, this is tapped towards the point fielder and the batters take off. Nicholls gets to the ball, picks it up and has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Outside off, let alone.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Angled into the pads, it is worked to mid on.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Fired on the pads, Head looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. There is an appeal from the bowler but the umpire shakes his head. Ball Tracker shows it would have clipped the leg pole. So it was a lot closer than we thought.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. It is hit through covers for a single.

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

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. On the shorter side outside off, Head slaps it through covers for one.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flatter and on middle, it is defended back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Slightly shorter and outside off, Head looks to cut but that shot is not on. He ends up chopping it on the off side. TH wanted a run but is sent back.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Another delivery on the stumps, kept out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On off, defended.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. On the shorter side, this is pulled on the leg side for one.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Lovely shot down the ground! It deserved a boundary but the batters get two. Fuller and around off, Paine shows the full face of the bat and hits it through mid off. Williamson from that position tracks it down and saves two for his side.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Back of a length and on off, blocked.

Trent Boult is back! 27-2-85-1 so far.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Flatter and on off, TH keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. On off, blocked.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Quicker and just outside off, Head looks to cut but ends up chopping it on the off side.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Loopy ball on off, Santner pushes it towards cover for one.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. FOUR LEG BYES! A little too straight and slightly shorter. Head looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls down to the fine leg fence.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On the bounce! One more short one, Paine takes on the challenge of pulling. He does not get on top of the bounce completely. It goes uppishly but well short of fine leg. One taken.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Back of a length and on off, Paine pushes it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. From around the wicket, he bangs it short, TP lets it go over him.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On the shorter side and on off, Paine keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. A short one on middle, Paine ducks under it.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and down the leg side, Paine flicks it through square leg. A run taken.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Comes down the track but then Santner drops it short. Travis adjusts quickly, goes back and dabs it towards point for a quick single. The stand is now worth 120.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Short and outside off, punched straight to short extra cover.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Outside off, turning away, short in length, punched through the covers for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and around middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On the body, Paine looks to leave it but is hit on the body.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Paine comes down the track and Wagner bangs it short. Paine watches it go over him as he ducks under it. Strange from Paine there, not sure one would want to give Wagner the charge.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Another bouncer and another pull shot! To the man at short fine leg.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On the shorter side, Paine pulls it towards mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. On middle, this is worked to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Gives it a lot of air and lands it on off, Paine strokes it through covers for one.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. A single now as this is pushed towards cover. 400 up for the Aussies.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Another tossed up ball, it is played to the man at cover.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. FOUR! Australia one short of 400 now! A full ball around off, Head loves it there, he creams it through covers for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Shorter and on off, TH plays it towards cover and a single is taken.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Paine now plays a good pull shot through the leg side for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A short one down the leg side, Head helps it on its way down towards fine leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Slower one and on off, kept out.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A good bumper this one, Head ducks under it. Wide signaled but it was a decent short ball.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A short one and on middle, Head hops and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the shorter side and on the body, Head looks to flick but it hits the glove. Luckily for Head, it rolls towards short fine leg.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On off, Paine stays back and pushes it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Flatter and around off, it is guided through point for one.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On the pads, it is worked through square leg for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On middle, defended nicely.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Fired on the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Fuller and on off, it is pushed to covers.

Change of ends for Mitchell Santner. 12-1-57-0 so far.

DRINKS! Australia continue to strengthen their position in the game! They have managed to score quickly, Head is nearing his ton and Paine will start to think of getting one too. The stand between the two has crossed 100. It will be interesting to see how much more will the Aussies add. The story is the same for the Kiwis, they need wickets which they aren't getting at regular intervals. Will the hosts continue to dominate or will we see a change?

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the body of Head, he nudges it on the leg side.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A good bumper, Travis ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Good running! On the pads this time, Head works it wide of the fielder at fine leg and takes two.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Down the leg side, Head looks to flick but misses.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. FOUR! One bounce and over the rope! 100-run stand comes up. Finally the Australians manage to covert a parntership into something significant. Also, Head moves into the 80s now. A short one by Wagner outside off, Head upper cuts it for a boundary in the third man region.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the shorter side, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner is brought back in! 30-10-58-2 are his figures so far.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, tempting Paine to drive, he walks into the shot but shoulders arms.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Full and straight, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Full and outside off, Head leans and steers it through point for a run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Full and straight, Tim gets across and dangerously flicks it across the line. Would have been plumb LBW had he missed. But he manages to get it wide of mid on for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Paine gets across and looks to paddle. He nearly misses it but the ball takes the under edge and goes past the keeper. Ross Taylor at first slip tries to get across but the ball beats him. Paine moves to 60.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Fractionally short outside off, played with an open bat-face towards backward point.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Similar ball, well blocked out.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Quick, on the stumps, Paine defends it solidly.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. FOUR! Cracking shot! This was so pleasing to the eye! Yes, it is a alf volley but you still need to put it away. Paine leans into it and creams it through covers for a boundary.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Colin looks to shape it from the leg pole to the off pole, no swing and Paine works it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off again, Paine does not fiddle with it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. An outswinger outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. A full toss now, this is eased down to long on for one.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Head comes down the track and looks to work it past the bowler from his left. Santner moves quickly and stops it.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Another floated delivery around off, Paine strokes it through covers for one.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Tosses it up on off, it is driven to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Ohhh! Brave leave! This lands just outside off, it goes on with the arm. Head lets it go. That was risky. If it would have turned in, Head could have been in trouble.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Shorter in length and outside off, TH cuts it through point for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On the off pole, Head keeps it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Back of a length and on off, it is pushed back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Very full outside off, Head is guilty of going way too hard at it. He mistimes it towards mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Good stop! Slightly fuller and on off, Travis strokes it on the up towards cover. The fielder dives to his right and stops it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Loose stroke this! It is a length delivery outside off, Head pokes at it away from his body and gets beaten.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Paine looks to innovate. He brings out the reverse sweep but find the man at point.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flatter and on off, Paine keeps it out with ease.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On middle, Paine lunges and keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Inside edge! This lands outside off, Head looks to push it against the turn through the off side but the ball turns back in. It takes the inside edge and goes between his legs towards fine leg for one.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Flatter and on off, Head goes back and works it on the leg side.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Very full on middle, Head hits it towards mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner is back on! 9-1-49-0 so far. Meaning, 8 of his overs have gone for runs. This is his 6th spell. Clearly, the captain is not happy with his bowling at all, which is why he is not getting long spells. Lacking self-confidence perhaps.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Good running! Fuller and on off, Travis strokes it towards mid off for a quick run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Lovely delivery! This lands just outside off, now due to the around the wicket angle, Head looks to play at it. The ball straightens and beats the outside edge.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Slightly fuller and outside off, TH hits it nicely but to the man at covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Angles another delivery on the middle pole, blocked.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Good length and on off, defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On the fuller side, Head strokes it to covers.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. FOUR! Superb batting! Excellent use of the field placement. Just before this ball, Southee got square leg up. He then dished in a short one. But Paine was ready. Swivelled on the back foot and pulled it all along the ground, exactly through that region where the man at deep square leg was on the previous ball! An important HALF CENTURY for the captain. A pretty decent strike rate as well.

Square leg comes up now.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Another bouncer, down the leg side, Tim initially thinks of ducking but looking at the line, does not bother.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. A bouncer now, the captain ducks.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Outside off, tapped through point for a single.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. A bouncer, on middle, Head ducks.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Landed outside off, played straight to backward point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. LEADING EDGE, SAFE! Full and around off, Paine looks to flick, on the walk, but the ball takes the leading edge. Luckily for him, it does not carry to Henry Nicholls at gully. Probably that shot on the walk saved him. A happening over.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Not in control of that one. Full and around off, Head looks to flick but gets a leading edge through the covers. A single taken.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Nearly a wicket. De Grandhomme had been bringing the balls back into Head in his previous spell. Hence perhaps, Travis thought about flirting with this one. But this one moves away and beats the outside edge as TH looks to steer it towards third man.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. A length ball, around leg stump, defended towards the leg side.

Pickle juice coming in for Tim Paine. Probably suffering from cramps. New Zealand meanwhile, are done with the Tom Blundell experiment. The very reliable Colin de Grandhomme comes back on. 25-5-58-2 so far.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. On the stumps, Paine pushes it back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Back of a length and on off, TP keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. A short one outside off, Paine lets it go.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. A couple now! He moves to 47. Shorter and outside off, Paine slaps it through covers, not right off the middle but hit well enough to get two.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. TOP EDGE AND FOUR! A good short one this, it is outside off and also bounces at a good height. Paine looks to pull but fails to get on top of the bounce. A top edge is produced which lands very fine on the leg side and goes for a boundary in the fine leg region.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. On the fuller side and around off, it is hit to mid on.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Head comes down the track, Blundell fires in a full toss. TH hits it towards mid on.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. FOUR! Slapped! Short and width on offer, Head pounces on it as he slaps it hard through covers. Need not run for that.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. On middle, defended.

Tom Blundell to Tim Paine. A short ball and on the body, it is pulled towards deep square leg for one. 350 is up for the hosts.

Tom Blundell to Tim Paine. Paine misses out there! A full toss on off, Paine hits it hard but to covers.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. On the shorter side again, Head pulls it towards deep backward square leg for one.

Blundell seems to have missed his run-up! He pulls up at the very end.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Similar ball, well kept out.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Fuller from Southee, outside off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Nicely done. Another short ball, around middle, Tim gets into position to pull. But then realizes that he is getting cramped for room and lets it pass.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. FOUR! BOOM! Paine continues to attack. Short and around off, the skipper swivels and pulls it all along the ground through square leg! Moves to 40 from 56 balls. His 5th boundary.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Around off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Full and around off, driven straight to mid off.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Well bowled! Slows it up nicely and lands it outside off, Head watches it and lets it go.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Shorter in length and outside off, Head stays back and slaps it hard to the cover fielder.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. This time punches it nicely but straight to the man at covers.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Quicker and around off, Head goes back and mistimes his punch on the off side.

Tom Blundell to Tim Paine. Shorter in length and outside off, Paine cuts it through point for one.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Goes wide of the crease and angles it into the pads, this is worked towards square leg for one. Just the single from the over.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. On the off pole, Paine keeps it out nicely.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. On the fuller side again, Paine strokes it back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Another very full ball and on middle, Paine strokes it to the man at mid on.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. On the fuller side on off, Paine strokes it to mid off.

Tim Southee to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, it is shaping away. Left alone.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end. 26-6-69-0 so far.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. On the stumps, defended. Blundell's first over in Tests goes for 6.

Tom Blundell to Tim Paine. One more short ball, it is pulled through square leg for only one this time.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Loopy ball on off, it is hit through covers for one.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Finally gets it right and beats the bat! It lands on off, Head looks to defend but the ball turns away and whizzes past the outside edge.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. FOUR! A freebie and Travis Head puts it away nicely! Short and on middle, Head goes back and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. Also, that brings up 1000 Test runs for Head.

Tom Blundell to Travis Head. Flatter and on middle, it is shorter in length. Head works it to short fine leg.

We are back for the afternoon session! Out come the Australian batters Time Paine and Travis Head to resume their innings. Tom Blundell to start proceedings for the visitors. The away side trying something different. Here we go...

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

Australia are slowly reaching a score from where they will believe they cannot lose. Another 60 runs and they will be in firm control of this Test. The pitch is starting to break up, so Nathan Lyon is gonna be a handful. New Zealand need to come out after Lunch and try and dismiss the Aussies quickly. Join us back at 1.10 pm local (0210 GMT).

Neil Wagner is down for a chat with Kath Loughnan. On having the wood over Smith, Wagner feels that Smith is a class player and he played really well. On the dismissal, Wagner says that he had been trying everything and is lucky that this one went to hand. Praises Nicholls for that wonderful catch. On his relentlessness, Neil says that he just tries his best.

To be honest, the Black Caps did not bowl all that well in this session. They tied the Aussies before Drinks and the pressure showed - Smith was gone after the break. But then, in came Paine and started to attack. Head joined in and all of a sudden, runs started to flow.

79/1 in 27 overs. 52 of those came in the last hour. Australia would be pretty much happy with that. New Zealand threatened to bounce back into the game with the wicket of Steven Smith but this unbeaten 52-run stand between Travis Head and Tim Paine, that too, in just 74 balls, has pushed the Kiwis back again.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. A couple! Short again and on the pads, it is pulled fine on the leg side for two. An expensive over this. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2!

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. FOUR! Through the off side this time! Short and outside off, Paine is quickly onto the back foot. He cuts it and it races to the backward point fence. 5th consecutive fifty-run stand is up in this innings.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flatter and on off, Tim keeps it out nicely.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Floats it up on off, Paine keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Another shorter one and on the pads, it is hit through square leg, in the gap for two.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. FOUR! Too short and put away! It sits up to be hit, Paine goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Fuller in length, Paine strokes it past the diving short over fielder, then past the diving cover fielder but can't get it past mid off who moves to his left and keeps it down to one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Good bowling! Lands it on the length once again, it is kept out nicely.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. On a length and outside off, Paine shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Shorter in length and outside off, Head cuts it through point, there is protection in the deep and a single is taken.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On middle, Head pushes it to mid on.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Very full and on middle, Paine works it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Slightly shorter in length, Paine rocks back and guides it through cover-point. Two taken.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. On off, Paine pushes it to mid off.

Mitchell Santner to Tim Paine. Flatter and just outside off, Paine makes a leave. There was extra bounce there and hence Watling too failed to collect it cleanly.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. On the pads, Head works it through square leg and a single is taken.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Starts off with a low full toss so the spin is out of contention. It is played to mid on.

Mitchell Santner is into the attack now. First signs of spin today. There are quite a few cracks on the wicket, it will be interesting to see if he gets some purchase.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Good length again and outside off, Head guides it behind point and takes one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. On middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Back of a length and on off, Paine stays back and keeps it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On the fuller side and on off, Travis strokes it through covers for one.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On the shorter side and outside off, Head plays it late and behind point for two.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A quick run! On the off pole, Head drops it towards cover and a single is taken.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Another one on off, TH works it to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Back of a length on off, Head pushes it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Another good effort in the field! Shorter and on middle, Paine pulls it over square leg. The fielder in the deep dives to his right and stops it. A single taken.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Ouch! Paine cops a blow! A short one and Paine fails to get away in time. It hits his shoulder. He shows no pain though.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. A short one just outside off, Paine once again thinks of pulling it but he realizes again that it is a little too quick. He bails out again.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Nicely driven! Fifty for Head! 8th in Test matches. He has been short of runs and it is a much-needed half ton for him. He has a chance to score big here. He gets there with a fluent drive past the diving cover fielder for two.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Slashes and misses! This is shorter and outside off, there is some extra bounce. Head looks to cut but misses.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Good length and around off, Head stays back and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Another bumper to end! Paine sits under it.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. One more bumper! Paine looks to leave it but is hit on the thigh pad.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. EDGY FOUR! This is a length delivery around off, Paine opens the face and looks to run it down, the ball though goes off the outside edge and down to the third man fence.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On a length and around off, Tim Paine is solid in defense.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On the fuller side again, Paine strokes it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Nice shot! Slightly fuller and around off, Head shows the full face of the bat and strokes it through mid off and takes three.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. Length delivery and on off, Paine keeps it out nicely.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. On the fuller side, Paine strokes it to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Tim Paine. On the middle pole, Paine keeps it out nicely.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. This starts outside off, it comes back in. Head pushes it towards point for one.

Colin de Grandhomme is on now!

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Another bouncer! Paine may not have been expecting this one. He fails to get away in time. Luckily it just about misses his body.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Just about kisses the glove! A bumper down the leg side, Paine looks to pull but misses.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Nasty stuff! One more bumper, this is on the body of the batter. Paine looks to pull but then realizes it is a little too quick. Paine pulls out of the shot.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Bends his back on this one and it is a good short ball! Paine lets it go through to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. On the shorter side again and on middle, Paine pulls it nicely but to the man in front of square.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Back of a length and around off, Paine pushes it to point.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. IN THE AIR... CATCH MISSED! FOUR! Oh dear... could that have been taken? Short and wide outside off, Head throws his bat at it. The ball flies towards point where Mitchell Santner is perhaps a touch late in going for the catch with his left hand. The ball whizzes past.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Around off, solidly defended.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Lovely ball, but wonderful shot. Boult gets this really full and makes it to swing back in from outside off. Paine flicks it with the swing, past mid on. Colin de Grandhomme gives it a chase but Mitchell Santner gets to it from deep mid-wicket. Three runs taken.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. FOUR! PRISTINE! Full and outside off, Paine reaches out and drives it through the covers. No soul moves! The stand moves to 11 from 16 balls.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. A short ball outside off, Paine pushes it towards cover.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. A short one and down the leg side, it is pulled down to fine leg for one. Another exciting over comes to an end.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Another snorter! There is half an appeal but nothing! Another short one and around off, it gets big on Paine. He looks to fend at it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Snicko confirms there is nothing.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Head is into the 40s! On the pads, it is worked through the legs of the fielder at short leg and a single is taken.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A good short one and well played in the end! It is on the body, Head does well to take one hand off the handle and play it towards short leg.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Brilliant by Boult! Just bowled an over and he putting in so much just to save a run, brilliant from the pacer. Excellent commitment. A short one by Wagner and Paine pulls it this time through square leg. Boult makes a lot of ground to his left and inches before the ropes, he dives and pushes it back in. Saves a run for his side.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. A short one again, Paine keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Another brute of a bumper! It bounces at a good height. Head hops and tries to fend but the ball hits the higher part of the bat. Luckily it falls onto the ground. End of a testing over by Boult.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Fuller and on middle, Head strokes it to mid on. Probably the first ball off the middle after the wicket of Smith.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Direct hit and it would have been close! On a length and around off, Paine taps it towards point. There is a yes and no situation and the batters eventually go for it. Nicholls from gully gets to the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. HN probably picked the wrong end. Head was in even if that would have hit the stumps. Paine's end is where he needed to go.

Trent Boult to Tim Paine. Another good delivery! Also, that zipped through. The Kiwis have their tails up at the moment. On a length and around off, it angles away and also takes off a touch. Paine looks to defend but is beaten.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Inside edge but past the leg pole! All of a sudden things have started to happen here. It is on off, Head looks to drive but does so ahead of his body. The ball goes off the inside edge and down to fine leg for one.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Close! This is on off and it comes back in. TH looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. Length and on middle, Paine works it to mid-wicket. A successful over for Wagner.

Neil Wagner to Tim Paine. BEATEN! Paine was late in the shot there. It is a low full toss outside off, Paine may have been expecting a bumper. He is late on the drive and is beaten.

The skipper Tim Paine comes out to bat now. That first hour, which did not see much good bowling from the Kiwis, might just help them. 284/5 - bang bang - 300/7?

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. OUT! In the air... and that is an excellent catch by Henry Nicholls! Wagner who had been troubling Smith throughout has got him finally. Another brute of a delivery by him. Short and on middle, it gets big on Smith who looks to fend at it. It hits the handle, then the glove and lobs towards gully. Nicholls takes a few steps back, times his jump to perfection, stretches one hand upwards and takes it nicely. Wagner is pumped up. Smith's long, long innings comes to an end and he falls 15 short of a ton. Half the side back in the hut for the Aussies. New Zealand now have a chance to keep Australia in check.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Another one on off, Smith keeps it out nicely.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. One more short one and on the body, Smith ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Continues bowling it short but this one is down the leg side. It is not played at.

DRINKS BREAK. Not a great hour for the Kiwis. Their bowling is slowly going awry. The pitch is starting to get slower and lower and we might have got to the stage where the frustration might be setting into the bowlers. They have conceded just 27 runs in this hour in 14 overs but that does not really mean the bowling has been terrific.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. An appeal but nothing from the umpire! This lands just outside off, it jags back in. Head looks to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Boult makes an appeal but the umpire shakes his head.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. One more delivery is played with the angle by Smith through mid-wicket. This is wide of the fielder and hence a single is taken.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Smith works it with the angle to the man at mid-wicket.

What happened? Boooooo goes the crowd. Boult comes charging in but Smith backs away. He then indicates sightscreen disturbance.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. One more ball outside off, the batter shoulders arms to this one.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Outside off, the batter does not fiddle with it.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On a good length and around off, Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the body again, Travis Head works it to leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Good fielding! On the shorter side and on the body, Head works it to the left of short leg. Latham dives and makes a good stop.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the fuller side now, Head is committed to the back foot but does well to play this one out.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. One more good bumper, this one skids through. Head though ducks under it with no control of his bat. Also, it was pointing upwards, not the right way to duck.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the pads, Travis Head works it fine on the leg side and the batters take two.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the shorter side, Head nudges it on the leg side.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Good shot but for no runs! Slightly ahead of a length and around off, Smith strokes it on the up but finds the cover fielder.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Wide outside off, Smith does not play at that.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Another one on off, Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On a length and it is on the stumps, shapes away a touch. Head looks to defend but it goes off the outer half through point for one.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. FOUR! Slapped! A boundary off the bat after 71 balls. A poor delivery this, it is short and outside off. Travis Head slaps it through covers for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Fuller and on off, it is driven to mid off.

Trent Boult returns. 23-2-66-1 so far. Change of ends for him. Meanwhile, Wagner is rushing off the field. We suspect it might be for a bathroom break.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. That almost fell on the stumps! A nasty bumper this. It is quick and on the body, Smith does not have time to move out of the way. He cops a blow on his chest, it then gets stuck between his body and his hand. He realizes it late, tries to clasp the cheery but then lets it go. It falls beside the stumps! Shouldn't that be handled the ball? Close call that. Reckon no one realized it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. This bumper seemed slightly quicker, it is well-directed again. Smith evades it nicely.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A short one and on the body, Smith ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Back of a length and on off, blocked.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Wagner bangs it short from around the wicket, Head works it wide of short leg and down towards fine leg for one.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Fuller and on middle, Smith strokes it to mid off. Just the wide from the over.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A bumper and on middle, Smith sways out of the way.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the fuller side around middle, Smith mistimes his shot to mid off.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A yorker this time and on middle, it is jammed out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the fuller side around middle, Smith keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another delivery outside off, not very wide this time. Smith lets it be.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Way too wide outside off, Smith lets it be. It has been wided.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A good length ball, around middle, blocked down the pitch.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Around off, watchfully defended.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Around middle, Smith tucks it through square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A short ball outside off, Smith gets across and looks to push but suddenly the ball rises. He manages to fend it towards point.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Another full one, Head finds the man at wide mid off as he drives.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Back of a length and on off, Head pushes it to mid off.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On the fuller side and it tails back in a long way. Head strokes it to mid on.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the pads, Smith works it through square leg and gets to the other end.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another length delivery and on off, SS is solid in defense.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the fuller side and on off, Smith strokes it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. One more short ball, Head pushes it to mid on. 6 short balls in Wagner's first.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A rib-tickler now, the southpaw nudges it towards short leg.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. One more short one but down the leg side, Head does not play at it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the off pole, TH stays back and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Down the leg side, Travis looks to flick but misses.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A short one to begin, it is on the body. Head ducks under it.

Neil Wagner is on now!

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Close! Southee bowls it around leg. Smith looks to pad it away but fails to do so. The ball goes close past the leg pole.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Back of a length and on off, Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. That is lovely bowling! He comes from around the wicket, he lands it on off and then gets it to move away further. Smith looks to defend but gets beaten.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, left alone.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. A comfortable three! Excellent pull shot. A short one around off, Head gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg. Boult from fine leg runs across and stops it before it crosses the ropes. Three taken.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On the fuller side outside off, it tails back in a little. Head strokes it to mid on.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Ohhh! Smith was caught in two minds there! Shorter in length and outside off, Smith looks to push it at first but then bails out of the shot.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. A short one on the body, Smith ducks under it.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Good length and on off, Smith goes back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On the pads, Head misses out as he fails to flick it. The ball hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Boult angles this into the pads, it seemed like Smith initially looked to flick but then plays it with a straight bat towards cover for one.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Boult goes around the wicket to the right-hander, he lands it on a length. Smith keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Well fielded! Fuller and on off, Head creams it back towards the bowler. Southee sticks his right hand out and goes low again and the ball stays in.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Bowls from around the wicket to the left-hander but it is outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A little too straight, Smith works it down to fine leg and gets to the other end.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On middle, kept out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A bumper on middle, Smith ducks under it.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. NOT OUT! Head got his bat down in time! It would have been a very unfortunate way to get out. Southee goes full and on middle, Smith hits it back towards Tim who sticks his right hand out. The ball brushes the fingers and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Head is in.

The bowler deflects the ball onto the stumps at his end. Is Head short? He seems very relaxed.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. A back of a length delivery to end! Head defends it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Good punch that! Brings up the 50-run stand, another one for the Aussies in this game. 4TH CONSECUTIVE ONE. They would hope this one ends up being a big stand. A shorter and on middle, Head pushes it through mid on and takes two.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On the shorter side again, Head hops and defends it with ease.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. A good bumper and on middle, Head ducks under it.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Well fielded! On the pads, Head works it towards mid-wicket. Latham dives to his left and stops it.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. No carry there! Outside off, Head lets it be. It goes on the bounce to Watling.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Ends the over with a slower one, he also drags his length back a little. Defended nicely by Smith. So just like the first over of the day, runs from the first ball and then 5 dots.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Continuous to keep it full, this time the line is around off, Smith strokes it firmly but to mid off.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another one which is full but down the leg side, Smith lets it be.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another very full delivery on middle, Smith works it to mid-wicket. A new plan maybe by the Kiwis to go very full and on the stumps to Smith. All the balls he has faced today have been very full.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Very full and on off, Smith strokes it to mid off.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. FOUR BYES! That swung a long way after passing the batter. It is down the leg side. Smith looks to flick but misses. It keeps going away. Watling dives to his left but he has no chance and the ball goes to the fine leg fence.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Drags his length back and bowls it slightly shorter around off, Head guides it to point. So except for the first ball, it was a good first over by Boult.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Goes back to bowling it in the corridor of uncertainty. Head shoulders arms to this one.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Now angles this one into the batter, Head works it to mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Full now and outside off, a little movement away from the batter. Head lets it be.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. That is a brute of a delivery! Something which Head was surely not expecting. A bumper and that too it is very well-directed. Head at the very end looks to duck but does so very awkwardly.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Runs straightaway for Smith! Boult starts off with a very full delivery outside off, it is a half volley. Smith just puts bat to ball and hits it through covers. Williamson gives it a chase from wide mid off and at the very end, slides and pushes it back in. Saves a run for his side.

It is time for the action to begin now! The Kiwi players make their way out to the middle. They are followed by Steven Smith and Travis Head who will resume from where they left off on Day 1. Smith will face the first ball on Day 2 and he will be up against Trent Boult. He struck in the first over yesterday, can he do so again? We will find out as he comes running in...

On Boxing Day we witnessed - a jam packed stadium, an amazing atmosphere and an excellent contest between bat and ball. After all that, it is the hosts who hold the edge. They have one batter, Steven Smith, who is nearing another ton and Head who has got off to a decent start. Australia will be hoping the two carry on and set the platform for a big first innings score. The Kiwis on the other hand, aren't that far behind in the game, a couple of wickets early and they are right back into this. They bowled well yesterday but with not a lot of luck, they would hope the story is different today. Stay tuned for what promises to be another exciting day of Test cricket.

... Day 2, Session 1 ...

Now then! On Day 2, New Zealand need a few wickets quickly, the second new ball is relatively new and they would hope to enforce a collapse. Australia on the other hand, will hope for one big partnership and the rest to chip in so that they could get to a good first innings total. Do join us for all the action at 1030 local (2330 GMT, Previous day). Till then, take care and goodbye!

The New Zealand bowling was decent throughout. They did not do a lot wrong but probably did not have a lot of luck on their side. They stuck to their plans, bowled accordingly but could not get the reward. Colin de Grandhomme, who did start off well but came back strongly in the next two sessions, was the pick. Boult and Wagner both had a wicket to their name. Southee did look threatening but nothing in the wickets column for him.

It was all about partnerships for Australia! Except for the first wicket, every other partnership was broken only after adding a stand of over 50. None however went onto become something significant. The Aussie batters too failed to make most of the starts they got. Steven Smith however, seems to be all set for another big one. Australia would hope Head can also make use of this opportunity and both can take the team to a big first innings score.

Australia's day in the end! You have to say that, just the 4 wickets in the whole day after electing to bowl, not what you would have thought when that decision was taken. Also, the last session too was dominated by the hosts. Just the one wicket is what they lost and they managed to add 102 runs with Steven Smith looking solid as a rock and Head playing himself in nicely.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Head negotiates it easily! It is a gentle length delivery around middle, Head stays back and keeps it out. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 1!

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Makes him play by bowling it on a length and around off, Head keeps it out easily. Last ball coming up...

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Looks to swing it back in from outside off but does not get it to come back enough. Left alone. Need to make the batter play here, last two balls coming up.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. EDGY FOUR! How many times have we seen a boundary down in the third man region? From around the wicket, it lands on middle, it straightens. Head looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge. No third slip in place and the ball races down to the third man fence.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the fuller side, Smith strokes it wide of mid off for one. The fielder there makes a wild throw to the keeper who fails to collect it but no extra run taken.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. A sharp bumper to end but it is outside off, Head lets it be.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Goes fuller this time and outside off, Head lets it go again.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. A little bit of width on offer outside off, Head does not fiddle with it.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. A short one and on middle, it is evaded.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. This is on the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Head misses out on another boundary there.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. FOUR! Short, wide and put away! It is outside off, Head cuts it through point for a boundary. 250 up for Australia.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Outside off, not played at.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. This is angled into the pads, Smith gently works it to mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another one on the off pole, defended.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On off, blocked.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. That was played with very soft hands! It is on a length and around off, it shapes away. Smith just looks to put bat to ball. The ball though hits the outside edge but falls short of first slip.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Angled into the pads, Smith keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Shorter and on off, Head hops and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Leading edge but safe! This one shapes a touch from middle, Head looks to work it across the line against the movement. He gets a soft leading edge towards mid off.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On off and it shapes away. Head opens the face of the bat and guides it to gully.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On middle, Head stays back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Outside off, Head looks to leave but there is a little extra bounce. Head awkwardly lets it go in the end.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. On the pads, Head works it wide of fine leg and takes two. No swing on offer with the second new ball for both the bowlers.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. FOUR! Uppish but safe! Fuller and on off, Smith plays a check on-drive. It goes uppishly but well wide of the fielder at mid on and to the boundary.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Outside off again, not played at.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another tempter outside off, Smith won't be tempted with Stumps around the corner.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Outside off, Smith won't be playing at that so late in the day.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A yorker on off, Smith is ready for it. He gets his bat down in time and jams it out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Boult is looking to bowl the magic ball, he starts on leg and he tries to swing it away but there is no movement. Head works it through square leg and two is taken.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Back of a length and on off, Head guides it to gully.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. This is angled into the middle pole, Smith works it through square leg for one.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. This starts on middle and then swings away further. Smith lets it be. Watling does well to dive to his left and stop it.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. One a length and outside off, Smith does not play at it.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Bumper! Smith ducks under it.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Another one outside off, Head makes one more leave.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. One more delivery outside off, not played at.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Looks to hit the pads of Head but the left-hander gets his bat down and works it through mid-wicket for two.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Good stop! Shorter in length and outside off, Head cuts it hard but Santner at point dives to his right and stops a boundary.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. This is angled in from around the wicket, it is still outside off. Due to the angle though Head hangs his bat out but gets beaten.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Outside off, Head shoulders arms to this one.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On the fuller side, it is defended.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. FOUR! Need not run for those! Too full goes Boult and he pays the price. Smith shows the full face of the bat and creams it down to the long off fence.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Starts on the pads and then swings away further. Left alone.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On off this time, Smith covers the line and blocks it out.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Well left in the end! This is just outside off, Smith shuffles across, he initially thinks of playing as he feels the ball would come back in. He sees it does not and leaves it at the last minute.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and miles outside off, let through once again. Wastage of the new cherry.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Wide outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Tempter. Full and outside off, Travis has a lame push and misses.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. More inswing, around off, driven straight to cover this time.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. FOUR! PRISTINE! This should give Head some confidence. Around middle, nice swing, but Head gets his bat down in time, meets the swing perfectly and drives this with pristine precision. Back past the bowler. Southee bends to stop but the ball whizzes past.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and around middle, swinging in, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee into the attack again. 16-4-48-0 so far.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Wide outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Another ball outside off, Smith does not play at it.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Back of a length and on off, Head looks to defend but due to the outward movement, it goes off the outer half towards point for one.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Down the leg side, Head looks to flick but misses.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Another full delivery, shaping away from middle. Head strokes it back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Travis Head. Some swing for Boult! He bowls it fuller outside off, it is left alone.

The new ball is now available! It has been taken immediately and Trent Boult is back on.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Tosses it up on middle, Smith prods forward and defends.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On off, kept out.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Too short and outside off, it is slapped through covers for three.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. BEATEN! Turn and bounce! Wow! SAw that for the first time in the game. This lands on off and then spins away sharply, there is also extra bounce. Smith is squared up as he tries to defend, the ball whizzes past the outside edge. The keeper fails to take it and the batters run one bye.

Mitchell Santner to Travis Head. Very full and on middle, this is hit down towards long on for one.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack!

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Head this time gets on top of the bounce and works it wide of the leg gully fielder for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the shorter side around off, Head hops and pushes it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Nicely bowled! A slower one around off, Head strokes it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the pads again, Head flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. One more short one on the body, Head works it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A short one on the body, Head looks to flick but misses. That nearly kissed the glove on its way.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On the fuller side around off, Smith strokes it to cover-point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. On the pads, this is worked towards fine leg for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Fuller and outside off, Head looks to go at it a little too hard. It goes off the inner half back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Full and around middle, swinging in slightly, worked dangerously, across the line, towards mid on. He misses that, he is a goner.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Quick running. A length ball, on the pads, Steven tucks it through square leg and takes a single.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. One more short ball, way down the leg side, a bit high as well, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A short ball, right at the rib cage, SS shoulders arms and gets tickled around the arm pits.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A short ball, outside off, Steven rises with the bounce and plays it towards point.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Full and around middle and leg, worked to the leg side.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Closer to the off pole this time, Head initially thinks of playing at it but then lets it be. Good ball and good leave in the end.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Continues to bowl outside off, Head continues to leave those deliveries.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Third leave in a row as another one is bowled outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. One more ball outside off, Head leaves it alone again.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Outside off, Head does not fiddle with it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. This is angled into the pads, Smith shuffles across and works it through square leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Way down the leg side again, let through.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Way down the leg side, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Slower ball, fuller in length, around middle, Smith works it through mid-wicket but Tom Latham at short mid-wicket dives to his left and makes a stunning stop.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A bouncer outside leg, SS ducks.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A short ball, around middle, Steven swivels and pulls it, with total control, keeping the ball all along the ground, straight to leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A length ball around middle, angling away, Smith gets across and defends.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. Length and just outside off, Head makes another leave.

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. One more ball very wide outside off, not sure Head would go after those so early in his innings.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Travis Head. A very wide ball to begin with! Left alone. It has been wided.

Travis Head walks in at number 6, replacing Wade.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. OUT! TAKEN! Wade's luck runs out this time! The edge is taken, it carries and the catch is completed. Two for Colin de Grandhomme and he once again provides the breakthrough for the visitors. End of Wade's scratchy innings. Colin bowls one full ball outside off, Wade looks to drive but gets an outside edge straight to Watling who makes no mistake. A wicket right after Drinks. Can New Zealand turn the tide in their favor in the final phase of today's play?

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. INSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Wade continues to ride his luck! A short one outside off, Wade looks to punch it through the off side away from the body. He gets an inside edge which goes close past the leg pole and down towards the fine leg fence. Wagner there runs towards the ball, dives and tries to push it back in but fails to do so.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult is giving an interview to the spider cam. He says that he is waiting for the second new ball. Hopes that it does work wonders for his side. On Australia not quite running away, Boult says that the team is aiming for basic discipline and not allow easy runs. On the pitch, Trent agrees that it is a very slow deck.

DRINKS! Australia are going along really well at the moment! Smith now looks at his best, Wade on the other hand is struggling but doing well. New Zealand really need a few quick wickets before the end of the day or they will be well behind the game. An important final phase of play awaits.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. One more short delivery, Smith again sits under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Smith continues receiving short balls! Smith ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. This is nicely timed! Fuller and around off, Wade creams it through covers and takes three.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. FOUR! Another risky shot and Wade once again gets away with it! A short one angled into the body, Wade looks to guide it down to third man but the ball gets big on him. It goes off the top edge over Ross Taylor at first slip and into the third man fence.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A short one on the body, Wade ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. More runs! Fuller and tailing back in on middle, Smith works it through mid-wicket. Mid on gives it a chase and three is taken.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. This time he lets the ball outside off go to the keeper.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Just short! Wade has all the slice of luck at the moment! Colin goes fuller and outside off, Wade goes after it. The ball finally finds the outside edge of the bat but lands just short of the fielder at first slip.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Takes a few steps down the track again, this is bowled outside off, Wade guides it to point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Bowls another one way too wide outside off, Wade lets it be.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Another one which goes past the outside edge! It is fuller and around off, Wade looks to drive but does so inside the line and gets beaten.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Much better length, fractionally short of full, Steven gets a long way across and defends.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Floated up again, driven straight to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle, pushed towards mid on.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Outside off, a bit of flight, driven straight to cover.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Steven lunges and defends.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. A low full toss, around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Wade takes a few steps ahead to negotiate the swing. He pushes it towards mid off and takes off for a quick single. Completes it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. On the fuller side, Wade strokes it to covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. BEATEN! Just outside off and it is on a length. Wade plays inside the line and gets beaten.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. On a length and around off, Wade pushes it to covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. That came back in a long way! This starts way outside off and then comes back in a long way. Wade leaves it along and the ball goes close past the off pole.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Darts it on off, Smith stays back and pushes it to covers,

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Quicker and outside off, Wade opens the face of the bat and guides it through point for one. 200 up for Australia.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On the pads, it is worked to square leg.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Good use of the feet! Gets to the pitch of it and strokes it through covers. Takes three.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Very short and on middle, Smith pulls it towards deep square leg for one. Santner has not been at his best here. Bowled quite a few bad deliveries.

Mitchell Santner is back!

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Shorter and on off, Smith pushes it to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Way too wide outside off to make the batter play.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On the pads again, Smith works it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, not played at.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Shorter in length and outside off, Wade slaps it through covers, it is not right off the middle. Williamson from wide mid off, hares after it and the batters take three.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On middle, Smith pushes it to mid on.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On the pads, Smith looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Smith now moves out of the way at the very end! He straightaway says sorry.

Trent Boult to Matthew Wade. Beauty! And Wade somehow plays it well in the end! A yorker, it starts on off and tails back in late. Wade gets his bat down in time by taking his front leg out of the way. He is down on the ground but senses it is wide of the fielder at mid on, gets back on his feet and takes one.

Trent Boult to Matthew Wade. On the pads, Wade works it nicely wide of the fielder at fine leg. Calls for two and gets two.

Trent Boult to Matthew Wade. Way too wide outside off to make the batter play.

Trent Boult to Matthew Wade. Back of a length and on off, Wade is solid in defense.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On middle, Smith gets his bat down in time and keeps it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. On the pads, Wade nudges it down to fine leg and takes one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Too short on off, Smith works it through square leg and takes one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On off, Smith taps it on the off side. The batters do think about a run but then do not go for it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Fuller in length and around off, shapes away. Smith leaves it alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. This is angled into the pads, it is worked through the leg side for one more run.

Colin de Grandhomme is back into the attack! 14-4-32-1 so far.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Back of a length and on off, Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Third leave in a row as this is once again bowled outside off.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. One more ball outside off, not played at.

ABK - 'Guys, why don't you declare...'

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. FOUR LEG BYES! That was pretty close! This is lands around middle and then comes back in. Smith shuffles right across and looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. It goes past the keeper and down to the fine leg fence. Boult needed to be a little fuller there.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Starts off with a delivery outside off, Smith would leave those all day long.

Trent Boult is back on! 13-1-43-1 his figures so far.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Shorter and on off, Wade stands tall and defends it onto the ground.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. On the fuller side, Wade strokes it to covers. MW is unable to time the ball really well at the moment. Needs that one shot which gets him going.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. BEATEN! Wade on the other hand seems to be struggling. He gets a full ball outside off, Wade goes after it but is beaten.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Like that! Easily rocks back, gets on top of the bounce and pulls the short one towards fine leg for one. 36 is the stand between the two.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the fuller side, Smith works it to mid-wicket. Smith looks at ease now, comfortably playing the full balls and also the short balls.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. One more short one to end! Wade sits underneath it. Maiden.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Fuller and on off, Wade pushes it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A short one and on middle, Wade ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. This time angles it into the batter, Wade stays back and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Drags his length back and the line is outside off, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Fuller in length and it tails away a touch. Wade plays a nice drive but straight to mid off.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Goes full this time after a few short ones. Smith is up for the challenge though as he jams it out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. One more short one on the body, evaded.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Shorter and outside off, Smith pushes it towards cover.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the shorter side again, Smith moves out of the way.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Another short one on the body, Smith works it to square leg.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A short one from around the wicket to Smith. He mistimes his pull towards leg gully.

The concussion test is going on. Wade looks fine as of now.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. FOUR LEG BYES! OFF THE HELMET! Thankfully, Wade is okay. A short ball, on middle, Matthew ducks but takes his eyes off the ball. It shoots off the deck, hits the back portion of the helmet, just above the neck and flies over the keeper to the fine leg fence. Wagner immediately shows concern but Wade shows that he is okay.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A bouncer, around middle, Wade ducks.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A length ball, around middle, MW looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads past short leg. Wade sets off for a single but then changes his mind as he sees leg gully get across.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. This one comes back in, but Matthew trusts his judgement and shoulders arms.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Full and outside off, swinging away, left alone.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. A single to end! On off, Wade drops it on the off side and takes one.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Back of a length and on off, blocked.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Good shot! Fuller and on off, Wade strokes it back past the bowler. Mid off gives it a chase and keeps it down to two.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. On off, Wade guides it to point.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Finds the edge this time as Wade is squared up as he tries to defend. It goes between the second slip and the gully fielder towards third man for two. All these edges though are going along the ground. Probably Wade is playing with soft hands or the wicket does not have a lot of carry.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Lovely stuff! Southee, from the around the wicket angle, gets it to straighten after pitching it on off. Wade lunges to defend but is beaten.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Shorter and on off, Smith keeps it out nicely.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A short one on the body of Smith. He moves out of the way.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Misfield and a run! A slower one outside off, Wade strokes it nicely towards wide mid off. Williamson misfields and a single is taken.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A good short one again, Wade ducks under it again.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Just short! On the pads of Wade. He works it uppishly but just short of Southee at leg gully. Wade would have had his heart in his mouth for a second.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Outside off, not played at.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A lovely shot for no runs! Fuller and on middle, Smith strokes it to mid on.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Southee looks to angle this into the off pole from wide of the crease. Does not angle it in enough and Smith makes one more leave.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. FOUR! Streaky again! Smith was completely squared up there! Length and on off, it straightens. Smith is squared up as he tries to keep it out. It goes off the outside edge and through the slip cordon for a boundary. It went all along the ground so even if there had been a third slip, it would not have carried.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. One more ball outside off, Smith does not fiddle with it.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Full and wide outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Good length and on off, Smith keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. On the shorter side again, Wade nudges it to the man at leg gully. A steamy over from Wagner comes to an end.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Back of a length and on off, Wade stays back and keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Shorter and on the body, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A sharp bumper, Wade ducks under it just in time.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Short and outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to bowl from the other end.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Fifty for Smith! He just loves batting on Boxing Day and at the MCG. Did not start off all that well but now seems to got into his own. He gets there by pushing it towards mid off and taking a quick run. End of a good first over after the break for Australia.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Outside off, not played at.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. EDGY FOUR! This is fuller and around off, shapes away again. Smith's feet are rooted to the crease, he plays ahead of his body. The ball goes off the edge, all along the ground to the third man fence.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. FOUR! Lovely shot! A boundary to score the first runs in this session! Fuller and on middle, Smith strokes it back past the diving mid on fielder for a boundary. An on-drive against a bowler that is swinging the ball away, brilliant.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. One more delivery outside off, Smith does not fiddle with it.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On a length and just outside off, Smith initially looks to play but then seeing the away movement, he lets it be.

We are all set for the last session of today! 35 overs left so we are in for a long session. Matthew Wade and Steven Smith will continue their innings. Tim Southee to start proceedings after the break. Here we go...

... Day 1, Session 3 ...

The Kiwi bowling has now started to look a little flat but they will also be looking at the other side of the coin. Australia's middle order is pretty vulnerable and the Black Caps would be aiming to burst through the door. Join us back at 3.30 pm local (0430 GMT). 35 overs left in the day.

88/1 in 29 overs in this session. Australia have managed to see off that nervous passage in the opening session and are reaping dividends. The 83-run stand between Smith and Labuschagne pretty much stamped the authority of the fact that the pitch is slow, which means that the moment the ball stops to swing, the batsmen will find it easy to score.

Steven Smith is up for a chat with Kate Loughnan. On the pitch, he says that it has stayed good for most parts. Observes that a few balls are shooting off a good length, meaning inconsistent bounce but on a whole, it has been good. On his heated discussion with Nigel Llong before Lunch, Steven says that it was not a discussion, just a clarification of thoughts but asserts that he has moved on from that.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A bumper to end the session! Wade ducks under it. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 1!

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. EDGED AND FOUR! That went between the keeper and widish first slip! Wagner can't believe it. He lands this around off and gets it to jag back in. Wade looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes uppishly between first slip and the keeper. Both fail to react and it goes down to the third man fence. The keeper could have probably gone for it, Taylor is a little too wide.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. OHHH! This one comes back in from outside off but not enough to make the batter play.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. That must have hurt! Wade shows no pain though. A short one and Wade has not time to move out of the way. He looks to leave it but is hit on the chest.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Back of a length and on middle, Wade keeps it out.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. A yorker to end! Smith jams it out.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Gives it air and lands it around off, Smith guides it to cover-point.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On middle, Smith is solid in defense.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. On the shorter side and outside off, Wade guides it through point for one.

Mitchell Santner to Matthew Wade. Outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter and shorter on off, Smith works it through mid-wicket for one. 150 up for Australia.

Mitchell Santner is back! He is brought on as New Zealand maybe want Wagner to bowl one more before the break.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A delivery down the leg side to end! Wade looks to flick but misses.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. One more short one, Wade picks this one late but ducks under it in time.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A short one and on the body of the batter, Wade ducks under it.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Outside off now, it is not played at.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Bowls a length delivery this time around off, Wade solidly keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. A short one but down the leg side, Wade lets it go to the keeper.

This is interesting. Neil Wagner has not even looked up at his captain. He has charged up to the umpire and handed over his cap. He wants to bowl to Matthew Wade. This should be fun. A leg gully and a short leg in place.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Wide outside off, gentle outswinger, let through.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. A touch down the leg side, Matthew tucks it towards fine leg for a run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. A bit too straight, Smith gets across and tucks it towards fine leg for a single. Moves to 40.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Miles outside off, swinging away, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Trent Boult to Matthew Wade. Just outside off, Wade leaves it nicely.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On middle, Smith works it through mid-wicket for an easy single.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Another fullish ball and it comes back in from outside off. Smith works it to mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Matthew Wade. Goes full and on middle, looking to hit the pads of Wade. He gets his bat down and works it towards fine leg for one. Wade is off the mark.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. This one starts on off and it comes back in. Smith works it towards deep square leg for one.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Outside off, it is left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Matthew Wade. Outside off, not played at.

Matthew Wade walks in at his home ground, with 17 minutes to go to Tea.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! The ploy to continue with Colin de Grandhomme has paid off. He proves to be the partnership breaker. We saw a wicket fall 15 minutes before Lunch and now a wicket 18 minutes before Tea. Labuschagne is disgusted as he walks back. New Zealand though rejoice. This is on a length and around off, this one comes back in sharply and there is also some extra bounce. Marnus looks to leave it alone but the ball hits the elbow and then hits the stumps behind. Marnus can't just believe what has happened. He has been leaving the ball so well but falls in that manner. A good innings by him comes to an end though. New Zealand are into the fragile middle order of the Aussies now. They will hope that this wicket opens the floodgates for them.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. A leave as this is bowled outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On off, ML stays back and blocks it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Well bowled! This starts on off and then shapes away a touch. Marnus looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Just outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Goes full again and on middle, Smith strokes it right off the middle but to mid off.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Another delivery outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Way too wide outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. On off, Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. FOUR! Nailed the pull shot! Short and on middle, Smith rocks back, swivels, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Some shape into the batter but the line is very straight. Labuschagne looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Back of a length and on off, Smith is solid in defense.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

WHAT A STAT - In Smith on air informs us that Marnus Labuschagne has got an outside edge 29 TIMES in his short Test career. He has got out only 4 TIMES.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Close! Colin bowls this fuller and on middle, Smith looks to drive but it goes off the inner half, uppihsly but wide of short mid-wicket and short of mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Down the leg side, Smith looks to flick but misses.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side to end the over, Marnus looks to flick but misses.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Shorter but closer to the off pole this time, Labuschagne keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Nicely played! On the shorter side and outside off, Labuschagne lets the ball come to him and then plays it late through point for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Fuller and on off, Smith strokes it to mid off and takes off. Williamson there picks the ball up and throws it at the striker's end but misses. ML was well in though.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Goes back to attacking the stumps and it is on a length. Defended.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith opens the face of the bat, uses the pace of the bowler and strokes it square on the off side for two.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one well outside off, let through once again.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Appeal for LBW, but turned down. A length ball outside off, Marnus gets across and shoulders arms. The ball comes in and hits him high on the thighs. Ball Tracker confirms it to be going over the top.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Full on middle, Marnus works this uppishly, beyond control, but wide of mid on for a couple.

De Grandhomme comes charging in but Labuschagne backs away at the last moment.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. EDGED, FOUR! More luck for Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, Labuschagne looks to flick but gets a thick outside edge which flies past first slip to the third man fence. Even if there was a second slip present, don't think it would have carried.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full and around off, Smith looks to work this to the on side but the ball moves away and squares him up. The leading edge goes through point and a single is taken.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and on middle, ML strokes it back towards the bowler who makes a good one-handed stop.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Fifty for Marnus Labuschagne! He gets there in a streaky manner but he won't care. His golden run continues. It has been a knock full of patience and he will be eyeing another ton here. Boult bowls one outside off, Marnus throws his bat at it. It goes off the outside edge between second slip and gully and down to the third man fence.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. A huge, huge shout but the umpire shakes his head! This starts on middle and then tails back in. Labuschagne looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit over the knee roll. A huge shout but not given.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. From over the wicket now Boult bowls it on middle, it is worked to mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Miles outside off, an easy leave.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, on a length, Smith keeps his bat inside the line.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. LEADING EDGE, SAFE! London looking, Tokyo turning. Almost a wicket for the Kiwis. Full and on middle, Smith looks to flick but plays it way too early. The ball swings away, takes the leading edge but luckily for him, flies over the slips to third man! Two runs taken.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, swinging away, driven straight to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith looks to defend but is caught in an awkward position. Manages to defend it somehow.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Third consecutive ball on off, third consecutive defense by ML.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Once again it is angled into the off pole, blocked.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. This is angled into the off pole, Marnus is solid in defense.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. One more ball outside off, ML lets it be.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, Labuschagne does not play at it.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. He starts off with one on the pads, Labuschagne works it through mid-wicket for two.

Trent Boult is back on! New Zealand turn to their best bowler as they need a wicket here.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Outside off, it is on a length. Left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Almost got squared up there! On a length and around off, it straightens a touch. Smith is almost squared up as he defends this.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Another one outside off and Smith pushes this to covers. This was a little too short and hence, Smith played at this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. One more delivery outside off, Smith pushes it to covers. This was slightly fuller and once Smith played at it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Finally bowls one on the pads, Marnus works it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Colin continues bowling outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. SIX! Straight down the ground! That is a cracking shot from Smith. The 50-run stand is up in style. Another solid partnership this. Smith comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it, extends his arms and lofts it over the bowler's head for a biggie. Huge over this for the hosts.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. The batsman works it down the leg side.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Three now! Slightly shorter and quicker. Marnus Labuschagne goes back to pull again but this one hurries onto him. It hits the higher part of the bat and goes wide of the fielder at mid-wicket and towards the deep for three.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Flatter and on off, Marnus works it but straight to short leg.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. SIX! First of the game! A real hit-me ball! Short and it sits up to be hit. Marnus Labuschagne had all the time in the world to go back and pull it over the mid-wicket fence.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Quicker and on off, Marnus stays leg side of the delivery and guides it past point for two. 100 up for Australia.

DRINKS BREAK. A quiet passage of play. Just 32 runs scored in 14 overs. New Zealand have kept it tight and the pressure almost showed, with Labuschagne being a certain dismissal, only for Kane Williamson to miss. The Black Caps have been disciplined, as they have been known for but so have been the Aussies thus far. In a battle of patience, who will blink first?

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. And again! Outside off, Smith makes a flamingo leave with one leg up in the air.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Maybe this is a plan by Colin. He is constantly bowling it outside off, Smith continues to leave it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Colin continues bowling it wide outside off, Smith shoulders arms to this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. Wide outside off, Smith lets it be.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads, it is worked towards fine leg for one.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. FOUR RUNNING RUNS AGAIN! All that effort by the fielder once again goes in vain. This is full and wide outside off, Smith strokes it wide of the cover-point fielder. Raval, the sub, hares after it and at the very end pushes it back in with a dive forward. The fielder from point picks the ball up and throws it to the keeper but the batters run four by then.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. On off, Steven stays back and defends.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Nicely tossed up on off, SS lunges and blocks it onto the ground.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Slightly shorter and quicker on off, Smith stays back and pushes it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Flatter and on off, Smith is solid in defense.

Mitchell Santner to Steven Smith. Tosses it up on off, Smith strokes it to mid off.

Mitchell Santner is back! He would probably hope for a longer spell this time.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. 6 leaves in this over! All the deliveries were outside off and all the deliveries were left alone. A wasteful over.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. 5 leaves in a row! Once again Colin de Grandhomme bowls it outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. 4th leave in a row now as Colin bowls another one outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Third leave in a row as this is again outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. One more ball outside off, Labuschagne shoulders arms to this one too.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, not played at.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Back of a length and on off, kept out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Just short! Another short one on the body, Marnus works it but just short of short leg. The fielder makes a half stop and the batters take one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and on off, kept out.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Another pull shot, this time only for one through square leg.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. FOUR RUNNING RUNS! You probably only see this in Australia as the grounds here are nice and big. A short one on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. It is the longer part and the fielder chases the ball down. His effort goes in vain though as the batters run four.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A length ball around off, pushed towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. NOT OUT! An excellent dive from Labuschagne saves him! He was pretty confident that he wasn't short and that is why! Lovely running from him. He works this towards fine leg and takes one. Goes for the second. Wagner there picks the ball up and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. An appeal and the umpire goes upstairs. The Kiwis look pretty confident that they have got him but Marnus signals to the dressing room that he is safe. Replays roll in and they show that Marnus' dive saves him.

Direct hit and this is close! Is Labuschagne walking back? Wait a minute, he is coming back! He has signalled a thumbs up to the dressing room. Umpire Marais Erasmus refers it upstairs. And replays show that Labuschagne is... 10 CENTIMETRES IN.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and on off, ML keeps it out off the back foot.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Steven Smith. On the pads again, Smith works it towards fine leg and gets to the other end.

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

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Close run! A little too straight, Labuschagne works it towards square leg and takes off. The fielder picks the ball up and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Smith would have been in though.

Colin de Grandhomme is back! He wasn't that great in the first session. Needs to be better in this spell.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Three taken! Another good pull shot by Labuschagne. He really plays that shot well. Once again gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through backward square leg.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. A slower one which tails back in nicely from off. Labuschagne works it to square leg.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Angled into the off pole, Marnus keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Goes very full now! Smith works it towards square leg. The fielder there, Blundell, dives to his right and stops it. Can't stop the single though.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Slightly short and outside off, Smith drops his hands and lets it go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On the shorter side and on off, Smith stands tall and keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length and on middle, defended.

Labuschagne moves out right at the end! Southee is not happy at all.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Too high! Clever bowling from Southee but the length was a little too short. He gets this one to jag back in from outside off. Marnus looks to make another leave but is hit high on the thigh pad. An appeal from the bowler but not given.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Third leave in a row as once again it is outside off.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, not played at.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On off, Labuschagne keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Another short one to end! Smith tucks it but finds leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On the shorter side, defended towards silly point this time.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On the middle pole, Smith plays it nicely with soft hands towards short leg where the fielder dives to his right and stops it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Outside off this time, Smith shoulders arms to this one.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Another short one and on the body, Smith lets it go over him.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Slightly short but down the leg side. Smith does not play at it.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Once again, a ball is bowled just outside off and it is left nicely.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, not played at. Labuschagne is leaving the ball really well.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the shorter side, Smith gets on top of the bounce and pulls it towards fine leg for one.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Shorter and on off, Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On off, defended.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Big mix up and a BIG OPPORTUNITY goes abegging! Williamson had so much time there but he rushed himself! A fuller ball is driven to mid off. Smith initially calls yes and Labuschagne is off. Smith though realizes he has hit it too well and then sends Marnus back. Marnus is at the point of no return. Williamson picks the ball up and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Kane probably could have waited for a second more and then thrown it to the bowler. Big chance this. This could really cost New Zealand.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. The tempter to end! Wide outside off, Marnus is not tempted and he lets it go through to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. A short one and on the body, Marnus works it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. One more controlled pull shot to a short ball but straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Half an appeal! This is angled in on the off pole, Labuschagne looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length and on off, blocked.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the shorter side, Labuschagne rolls his wrists over and pulls it nicely towards backward square leg.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. On the off pole this time, Smith keeps it out nicely.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Way too wide outside off, Smith need not play at those.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Three now! Drifts on the pads, Labuschagne works it through square leg and three is taken.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another close leave! This is probably left on length. Slightly shorter and just outside off. Labuschagne lets it be. It goes just over the off pole.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good leave that! It is just outside off, in the corridor of uncertainty. Marnus knows where his off pole is and he lets it go.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length and just outside off, Marnus makes a good leave.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Over the wicket to Smith and bangs it short and on the body. Smith is ready for it as he ducks under it easily.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Nicely played! A short one on middle, Labuschagne swivels and pulls it nicely, all along the ground down to fine leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another delivery outside off, Marnus does not fiddle with it.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length and on off, blocked.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. This is angled into the pads, Marnus works it to leg gully.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Starts off with a very full ball and on middle, it is hit to mid off.

Just the one over for Santner as Neil Wagner replaces him.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. FOUR! Fine way to end the over. Southee goes short and Smith immediately swivels on his back foot. Pulls this all along the ground, through mid-wicket and finds the boundary.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Full and wide outside off, left alone.

A leg gully in place now.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Action replay of the previous delivery.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. A bumper down the leg side, Steven ducks.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Overpitched, outside off, Smith comes forward and drives this straight, as a bullet, right past the bowler, down the ground to the fence!

Something is putting Steven Smith off. Probably something near the sightscreen. He complains to Nigel Llong who runs all the way down to the boundary. Eventually, we find that it is a black camera which is placed on the white carpet, causing the distraction. Removed now.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end. 7-2-17-0 so far.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. A back foot defense to end the over.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Around off, blocked watchfully.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full again, pushed towards mid on. Short mid-wicket intercepts.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, Labuschagne pushes it towards mid on.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. A tad short, worked towards short leg.

Mitchell Santner to Marnus Labuschagne. HUGE SHOUT FOR LBW! Turned down! Boy, this was close. Full and around off, the arm ball, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball skids through and goes past the bat, hitting the pads. Santner scrams his lungs out but umpire Marais Erasmus is as still as rock. Williamson comes down for a query with his bowler but does not take the review. Here comes Ball Tracker. Going over the top! Excellent decision from Erasmus and excellent call from the Kiwis too, not to review.

We are back for the afternoon session! The Kiwi player make their way out and they are followed by Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne who will resume their innings. Spin to start after the break as Mitchell Santner has the ball in his hand. Here we go...

... Day 1, Session 2 ...

Full marks to the Kiwi bowlers. Or say, 9/10. Barring Colin de Grandhomme, everyone was on the money. They concentrated on getting the ball in the right areas, so that even if it was not a wicket, runs were hard to come by. The last phase of the session saw Neil Wagner dishing out short stuff to Smith, so expect a barricade coming post Lunch. The pitch is slow but every now and then, the odd ball bites off the deck. There is swing available, so it is not exactly going to be a batsman's session. Join us at 1.10 pm local (0210 GMT) for the second session.

However, Warner and Labuschagne got together and eased off some nerves. The latter did play more nervously, but slowly settled in. Their 60-run stand nearly made it Australia's session but with 15 minutes to go to Lunch, the Kiwis managed to snap Warner, who was beginning to score quickly. Towards the end of the session, the Smith-Llong drama just made it more dramatic.

An exciting session of cricket. This is what Boxing Day Test is all about. Aggression. Passion. Fightback. A contest. Wow. Seeing the 10 mm grass on the pitch, one would have expected New Zealand to run through Australia in the first hour, given the hosts' not-so-great record of playing swing and seam bowling. And Trent Boult did start with a bang, getting rid of Burns for a golden duck.

Marnus Labuschagne is kind enough for a quick chat. On the drama between Steven Smith and Nigel Llong, Marnus says that the batsman was just making sure about the rules. On the pitch and the conditions, Labuschagne says that the aim was to just bat out the good balls and make the Kiwis pay on the bad ones. Hopes to see off one more hour post Lunch and then bed in.

Smith straightaway walks across to Nigel Llong and has a long chat. There is disagreement on both sides and each is seen shaking his head furiously. Llong is clearly agitated, more so because of Smith's behaviour and the former skipper just needs to be a bit more careful. Marais Erasmus now steps in, but he is seen cooling Llong rather than Smith. This could be getting ugly. Thankfully, Smith trudges off and the matter ends there. Llong is now explaining to Erasmus what he thought about the law. It is just a different interpretation.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A snorter to end the session! Sharp bumper, Smith looks to defend but the ball hits the splice of the bat and lobs on the off side but lands safe. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 1!

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Another dead ball! Smith is furious again! This is short and on the body, Smith looks to move out of the way but is hit on the back. It rolls towards fine leg and the batters take one but once again the umpire signals a dead ball.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Now a length delivery on off, Smith keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. This is an excellent contest between bat and ball! Another excellent delivery. A yorker on middle, Smith gets his bat down right in time and jams it out.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Clever, clever bowling! Bowls a slower one and it is extremely full. Smith works it towards mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Dead ball signaled! Smith is not happy as he feels he was taking evasive action. A short one and on the body, Smith looks to leave but the ball hits him above the thigh pad and it rolls towards fine leg. The batters take one but the umpire signals dead ball.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. One more delivery outside off, ML watchfully leaves it.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Angles this one into the off pole, Labuschagne works it with the angle to mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Another ball on a length but this one is outside off, left alone by Marnus.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Slips this one down the leg side, not played at.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length and on off, Labuschagne keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. EDGY FOUR! On a length and outside off, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge, between gully and second slip for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Nasty delivery this! It is another short one and on the body this time. Gets big on Smith as he tries to fend at it. The ball hits the glove and then rolls onto the off side.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. On the shorter side again but well wide outside off, Smith lets it be.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Shorter and outside off, not played at.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the shorter side, Labuschagne pulls it towards square leg and gets to the other end.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller and on off, ML strokes it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Well outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Another one outside off, Smith does not fiddle with it.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Fuller and around off, Smith hits it back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. A short one now! Smith spots it early and lets it go over him.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Changes the angle and goes around the wicket. Angles it into the batter, defended nicely.

Trent Boult to Steven Smith. Outside off, Smith leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Well bowled! Follows the two short balls with a full one. Smith works it towards mid-wicket and takes off. The fielder at mid-wicket has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. SS is off the mark. End of a successful over for the visitors.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. Another short one on the body, this time Smith evades it very easily.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A good bumper, Smith evades it.

Neil Wagner to Steven Smith. A length delivery around off, it is kept out nicely.

The prodigy is joined by his master. Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are in the middle now. 15 minutes left for Lunch. New Zealand will be gunning for one more wicket. If Smith goes, this is going to be one kind of a boost. A slip, a short leg and a man in front of square on the leg side welcome Smudge.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! There is the wicket New Zealand desperately needed. Warner was looking so comfortable out there but falls to an excellent one-handed reflex catch. The change of ends works brilliantly for Wagner. However, there was absolutely no foot movement by Warner. Maybe he was expecting Wagner to go short but Neil does the opposite. He goes full and gets it to move away from off. Warner pushes at it away from the body. It flies off the outside edge between first and second slip. Tim Southee at second slip dives with his right hand and then catches as it swings and wobbles in the air! End of a solid stand for the hosts. The visitors will now hope to get another before Lunch.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. He bowls a very full ball outside off, Marnus opens the face and guides it through backward point for three.

Neil Wagner is back! Change of ends for him.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Another back of a length delivery around off, Warner keeps it out. He needs to be a little more fuller than what he is bowling now.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Slightly shorter and around off, Warner plays it late and guides it through backward point for two.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Good length and on off, Warner stays back and keeps it out nicely.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Back of a length and on off, Warner guides it to point.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Looks to bowl it on the body again but slips this one down the leg side. Left alone.

Trent Boult to David Warner. OUCH! That took off from nowhere! Slightly shorter and on the leg pole. It not only straightens a touch but there is also extra bounce. Warner looks to tuck it around but due to the extra bounces it misses the bat and hits the body. Warner seems to be in a little pain. He takes a breather and now is ready to go.

Trent Boult is back! 5-0-17-1 so far.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length and on off, ML keeps it out. A good over this for Australia. 9 from it.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Three! Another poor ball! It is short and wide outside off, Warner reaches out for it and slaps it towards cover. The fielder there dives to his right, gets a hand to it and takes the pace off the delivery. The fielder from point then chases it down and saves a run for his side.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Goes fuller and on middle, Warner works it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Slightly short and outside off again, Warner cuts it past point and takes two.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. FOUR! Easy pickings for Warner! Full and wide, asking to be hit. Warner pounces on the width offered and hits it through covers. The 50-partnership is up between the two with that boundary. A good stand this and a much-needed one. They have steadied the ship after Australia lost an early wicket. The two need to continue.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, angling away, let through.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Sprayed down the leg side this time, David looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards square leg and a leg bye is taken. Wait a minute. No signal. So must have been an inside edge. Warner moves to 30.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Landed outside off, close to the stumps, but Warner trusts the line and length and shoulders arms.

Neil Wagner to David Warner. Full and outside off, outswing, massively, pushed towards point.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, plenty of swing again, Labuschagne watchfully works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and around off, swinging in a long way, driven back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. And again! Warner once again plays at a delivery he did not need to. This is on a length and outside off, Warner once again must have felt it is going to come back in. He hangs his bat out but luckily for him, he gets beaten.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. OHHH! A loose shot by Warner there. Just not needed! This is wide outside off, normally Colin has been getting the ball to tail back in. Maybe Warner had that in mind and he looks to play at it but gets beaten as this one holds its line.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Another one on a length and just outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. A little too straight, Labuschagne works it towards fine leg. He calls for two but has to settle for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Better! Bowls this one on off, it tails back in. Warner looks to push at it but due to the movement, it goes off the inner half towards the leg side for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Outside off again, Warner watches it go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Another length ball outside off, the batter need not play at those.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, the batter does not play at this one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle, ML works it to mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the shorter side outside off, Labuschange lets it go to the keeper.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On middle, it is kept out.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the fuller side on middle, ML works it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Good fielding! On the fuller side and on middle, Marnus strokes it towards mid on and takes off. The fielder at mid on runs to his left, dives, picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Fuller and on off, Warner strokes it towards mid off and takes one.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Shorter in length and outside off, Marnus does not play at it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne shuffles across and then works it towards mid-wicket for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Drags his length back this time, the line is on off. ML keeps it out solidly.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On the fuller side on off, Marnus strokes it to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads, Marnus works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Now goes back to bowling outside off, ML shoulders arms to this one.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. So two outside off before this and this one is down the leg side. Marnus misses the flick shot.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. One more ball outside off, Labuschagne leaves it alone.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, not played at.

Neil Wagner to Marnus Labuschagne. Good fielding again! On the pads, this is worked fine on the leg side. Colin de Grandhomme at fine leg runs to his right, dives and he seems to have pushed it back in. The umpires go upstairs to check but replays show that he has done well.

Here comes the real competitor. Neil Wagner.

Tim Southee to David Warner. A better throw and Warner could have been in trouble! Southee goes short this time. Warner guides it through point. They take one and then go for a second which seems risky. Santner though picks the ball up and then throws it off balance towards the keeper. It is a wayward one and the second run becomes easy.

Tim Southee to David Warner. FOUR! Creamed! No need to run for those! A half volley on off and Warner puts it away. He transfers his body weight forward and then strokes it through covers.

Tim Southee to David Warner. A sucker ball now, full and wide outside off. Warner is not tempted and he lets it be.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Another excellent delivery! On a length and this one angles into the off pole. Warner plays the original trajectory. The ball pitches and straightens. It goes past the outside edge.

Tim Southee to David Warner. One again using the bumper as the surprise element! Warner though sways out of the way.

Tim Southee to David Warner. On off, Warner keeps it out.

DRINKS! A very good hour of Test cricket there! We saw some good bowling and equally good batting. Australia though will probably be the happier side at the moment as they have only lost the one wicket in testing conditions. Labuschagne and Warner are now looking good and are amidst a good stand. New Zealand on the other hand, are bowling well, getting the ball to move around but are not getting the breakthrough. That is what they will be looking for after the short break. Will they get it? We will have to wait to find out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller in length and on off, Marnus strokes it to mid off again.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. A good shot but for no runs! Fuller and on off, Marnus strokes it brilliantly but to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. That is a lovely delivery and it is nicely played too! This lands on off, Marnus looks to play at it. It shapes away and seeing the movement, Labuschagne takes his bat away at the very end.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off this time, Labuschagne points his bat skywards and lets it go.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Down the leg side, Marnus looks to flick but misses.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller and on off, Labuschagne keeps it out.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Wider outside off and brings it back in. Warner covers his off pole and leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to David Warner. On middle, Warner keeps it out nicely. Warner is looking nice and solid out there.

Tim Southee to David Warner. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Two misfields there! This is fuller and around off, Warner looks to stroke it with a straight bat but due to the inswing it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket who lets it through. It goes towards mid on who dives over the ball. The fielder from square leg is the one who does the mopping up job and the batters get two.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Bowls this one outside off again, no inswing this time and Warner lets it be.

What happened there? On the final ball of de Grandhomme's previous over, when he tried to stop the ball to his left, Colin slipped. Now, when he slipped, a massive chunk of grass came off the deck. Jeez. That is not good at all.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Starts outside off and then comes back in. Warner pushes it to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Shows the full face of the bat this time and strokes it right off the middle but towards mid off who moves to his right and stops it.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. On the fuller side again, Labuschagne looks to drive but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Marnus Labuschagne. Extremely full and on off, Marnus plays it out to mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Another one which tails back in sharply but the line is a little too straight, Warner works it wide of mid-wicket and takes one.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. From around the wicket now, angles it on the pads, Warner works it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Good stop off his own bowling! A full toss on middle, Warner hits it firmly back towards the bowler who gets low and makes a half stop.

Colin de Grandhomme is on now! First change today.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off again and it is left alone again.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On off, Marnus keeps it out nicely.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Shorter in length this time, Labuschagne stays back and keeps it out.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Excellent cricket all around! Good ball, good shot and then brilliant fielder! Southee bowls it full and gets it tail back in very late from off. Warner does well to get his front pad out of the way and stroke it past the diving mid on fielder. Williamson from mid off runs after the ball and at the very end pushes it back in. Saves a run again for his side.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Aggression from Southee! This is fuller and on off, Warner pushes it back to the bowler who mimes to shy at the stumps.

Tim Southee to David Warner. From around the wicket, Southee angles it in from outside off but not enough to make the batter play.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Nicely played! Covers the inward movement and then works it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Good leave in the end! This starts outside off and then comes back in. Marnus lets it go and it goes close past the front pad of Marnus.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Good length again and on off, ML stays back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Very full and tailing away from off, Warner pushes it wide of the fielder at mid off for one.

Trent Boult to David Warner. On the off stump, Warner keeps it out nicely.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Full and outside off, Marnus gets across and defends.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. One more of those PLs.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Landed outside off, Labuschagne plays a pull-leave.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Outside off, Warner pushes it away from his body through point for a single.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Full and wide outside off, angling away, left alone.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Too wide and too full and Labuschagne puts it away! He opens the face and guides it through backward point and the ball races away to the fence.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. A muted appeal but nothing! A little high. Labuschagne probably left that on length. It is slightly behind a length around off, it comes back in. Marnus leaves it, it hits the thigh pad and goes towards the slip cordon.

Williamson this time takes the ball up to the umpire and asks him to have a look. Once again the umpire feels there is nothing wrong.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. On the pads, ML looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls towards fine leg. The first run is taken quickly and they go for the second. Complete it. Leg byes signaled.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Back of a length and on off, Labuschagne keeps it out off the back foot.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Good fielding! Fuller and on off, Warner pushes it past the bowler. Williamson gives it a chase, slides and pushes it back in before it crosses the ropes. Saves a run for his side.

New Zealand are not happy with the ball! They have asked the umpire to have a look, the umpire does so but asks them to continue as he feels there is nothing wrong.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Back of a length and on off, Warner guides it to point.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Wider outside off again, Marnus need not play at those.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Southee goes wide of the crease but bowls it just outside off. Left alone.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one on a length and around off, Marnus strides forward and keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another full ball and on off, it is pushed to mid off.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Fuller and on off, ML pushes it to covers.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Unplayable! There is nothing you can do about that delivery. WOW! This is angled into the middle pole, Labuschagne looks to defend but the ball shapes away and whizzes past the outside edge. That moved a long way.

Trent Boult to David Warner. FOUR! First boundary for Warner! Slightly fuller and around off, Warner leans into it and pushes it through covers. Williamson from wide mid off hares after it but the ball beats him to the fence.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Close! Boult angles this one into off, Warner looks to defend but does so outside the line. It hits the inside edge and then onto the pads.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Well left! This is just outside off, in the 5th stump channel. Warner covers his off pole and shoulders arms to this one.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Slips this one down the leg side, Warner misses the flick shot.

Trent Boult to David Warner. A short one on the body, Warner hops and nudges it on the leg side.

Trent Boult to David Warner. On off, Warner is solid in defense.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Another one outside off, not played at. A maiden.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Outside off, the batter does not need to play at that.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Short again! Labuschagne is playing it with soft hands. It is on a length and around off, it moves away. ML looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge but well short of the third slip fielder.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. A sharp bumper, took Marnus by surprise. He evades it at the very end.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. On the stumps, ML is solid in defense.

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

Trent Boult to David Warner. Down the leg side, Warner looks to flick but misses.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Good stop! Saves four! Full and on middle, Warner pushes it back towards the bowler. Boult in his followthrough, dives forward and stops it. Not cleanly but does not concede any run.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Wider outside off, not played at.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Nicely played! Waits for the ball to come to him and then opens the face, plays it with the swing and guides it through point for two.

Trent Boult to David Warner. OHHH! Slightly wider outside off, moves away further. Warner is sucked into playing at it, he gets beaten.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Leading edge and two! This is angled into the pads, Warner looks to work it on the leg side but the ball shapes away. It goes off the leading edge and through backward point for two. Not sure if playing across the line is a good idea against Boult at the moment as he is getting it to move away nicely.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. FOUR! Off the mark in style! A confident shot by a batsman who is high in confidence. Full and around off, Marnus Labuschagne creams it with a very straight bat through mid off and it races away to the fence. First boundary of the game too.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. Perfect! This starts on off and then shapes away. Labuschagne looks to defend but due to the movement, it goes off the outside edge but well short of fourth slip.

Tim Southee to Marnus Labuschagne. That is why another slip came in! Southee gets the ball to move away but the line is outside off. Easy leave. Needs to get it closer to the off pole.

An extra slip coming in now! 4 slips in place.

Tim Southee to David Warner. A little too straight, Warner clips it down towards fine leg and gets to the other end.

Tim Southee to David Warner. Length again and around off, it comes back in again. Warner watches it closely and defends it onto the ground.

Tim Southee to David Warner. A good delivery to begin with but equally well played! This is slightly fuller and on off, it comes back in. Warner lunges and pushes it to mid off.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end. He too can get the ball to talk. Can he also take a wicket in his first over?

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. Whizzes past the outside edge again! Boult for the second time in a row angles it away and bowls a fuller length. ML plays away from his body again and is beaten. End of a brilliant first over by Boult.

Trent Boult to Marnus Labuschagne. BEATEN! Clever bowling! This time he goes full but angles it away from the batter. Labuschagne must have thought it would come back in again. Does not. Marnus goes for a drive away from his body but is beaten.

Marnus Labuschagne is the new man in.

Trent Boult to Joe Burns. OUT! KABOOM! What does a captain ask for after electing to bowl first? An early wicket and Boult has delivered in the first over itself. That is an absolute gem. Burns will be wondering why him? Why did he get such a peach first up? This is full again, it starts on off and tails back in. Burns looks to drive it down the ground but fails to adjust to the movement. The ball sneaks between the gap of bat and pad and hits the stumps behind. The Kiwis are pumped up and Burns bags a first-baller. Also, seeing that delivery, the new ball is really going to test the Australian top order.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Australia and Warner are underway! However, that is a good effort in the field by Williamson. The skipper setting an example straightaway. Boult goes fuller again and on off, Warner watchfully strokes it towards wide mid off. Williamson dives to his right and saves at least two. A single taken.

Trent Boult to David Warner. An excellent second delivery! Very full and on middle, swings away a touch. Warner keeps it out right under his eyes.

Trent Boult to David Warner. Starts off with a loosener! Slightly short and outside off, no swing visible on the first delivery. An easy leave for Warner.

We are all set for the action to begin! Joe Burns and David Warner make their way out to the middle. Trent Boult will start the proceedings for the visitors. He will be bowling to the left-hander. Three slips and a gully in place, here we go...

AUSTRALIA (PLAYING XI) - David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine (WK/C), James Pattinson (IN FOR JOSH HAZLEWOOD), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.

NEW ZEALAND (PLAYING XI) - Tom Latham, Tom Blundell (IN FOR JEET RAVAL), Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (WK), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult (IN FOR LOCKIE FERGUSON).

TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favor of the visitors! NEW ZEALAND WILL BE BOWLING FIRST! Maybe the grass on the pitch and the overhead conditions influenced this decision. But if it does not seam around, this decision can backfire. A very interesting first hour of play awaits.

Boxing Day, Australia vs New Zealand at the MCG, it just does not get better! The hosts have a 1-0 lead after tearing their opponents apart in the first Test. They would be eager to do so again and seal the series here itself. Talking about their opponents, you would expect a much better performance than the last Test. They will have to perform a lot better as a loss will see them lose the series. The visitors will probably play with a lot more hunger and determination which means we can expect some exciting action. Welcome to the coverage. Stay tuned for the toss and teams in a bit.

The players are back out in the middle. 51 overs left in the day. How long will Australia bat? Will they declare tonight itself and get around 10-15 overs at the Kiwis? David Warner and Joe Burns walk out to the middle. Good signs for the Kiwis with Trent Boult taking the new ball. Here we go then... Warner to face.

The Test continues to go from bad to worse for the visitors. They had a miserable Day 2 and have had nothing much for them so far today. To add to their woes, Trent Boult seems to be injured and he will be a big miss, if he does not bowl in this inning. Will he be fit in time for the New Year Test?

A good day's work for the hosts with the ball. They were fired up right from the start, with Cummins setting the tone right, removing Ross Taylor pretty early. There was barely any fight or any partnership, barring the gritty 50 from Tom Latham. Okay... Colin de Grandhomme hung around just enough to force the Aussies to bat again. That 6th wicket stand read 39 from 65 balls. Cummins strut his stuff, taking his 5th Test 5-fer. A thorough professional bowling performance, in spite of Josh Hazlewood not being present. Pattinson bowled his heart out, taking 3 scalps.

A bit surprising but not shocking. That is the norm these days. Teams generally do not enforce the follow-on given the hectic workload. AUSTRALIA ARE GOING TO BAT AGAIN.

The hero of the moment, Pat Cummins, is down for a chat with Kat Loughnan. Cummins says that he felt he had been bowling well, though he was not amongst the wickets. Praises Pattinson for his constant support especially after what he has gone through in the last 2 years.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. OUT! KABOOM! There you go, one ball Starc bowls full and on the stumps, he knocks Boult over. Trent moves right across and tries to flick but misses. The ball clips the leg pole. Starc though is appealing as he does not realize that but Boult starts walking back. AUSTRALIA GET A LEAD OF 319!

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. Angled into the body again, Boult looks to work it but misses to get hit on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. One more short one on middle, Boult looks to upper cut it but misses.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. Shorter and on off, Boult guides it to point. Boult is in serious pain here. His right hand is really giving him some troubles.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. Good length and outside off, Boult clears his front leg and looks to guide it on the off side but misses.

Nathan Lyon to Neil Wagner. SIX! That is a big hit! These boundaries are not small here but Wagner has cleared one with ease. He comes down the track and swings. He connects brilliantly and it clears the mid-wicket fence.

Nathan Lyon to Neil Wagner. Off the glove and goes over first slip! The reverse sweep comes out from Wagner. It goes off the glove and over first slip. It goes towards third man for two. The two batters are enjoying themselves at the moment.

Nathan Lyon to Trent Boult. In the gap! Boult once again comes down the track but this time does not get to the pitch of it. He still swings. It goes off the inner half away from the fielder at deep mid-wicket and a run is taken.

Nathan Lyon to Trent Boult. The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it.

Nathan Lyon to Trent Boult. SIX! Boult nails it this time! First of the innings and it comes from the number 11. Boult uses his feet again and swings it high and handsome over the long on fence.

Nathan Lyon to Trent Boult. Boult comes down the track but gets too close to the pitch of the ball. It is hit back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon is brought back on.

The physio is out to have a look at Boult's hand. Time for the magic spray to do its bit. Like always, it does its job and we are fine to continue.

Mitchell Starc to Neil Wagner. A bouncer to to end the over, Wagner ducks.

Mitchell Starc to Neil Wagner. FOUR! SUBLIME! Full and outside off, Wagner stays leg side of the ball and drives it through the vast vacant real estate through mid off!

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. Well played! Gets a long way across, does Boult and flicks this behind square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. Where is the ball? Between the pad and the right thigh. No one knows where the ball is. Full and around leg, Boult looks to flick but misses and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Now, Mitchell Starc slips, hence he does not see the ball. Matthew Wade at short leg is searching for the ball. No one behind knows where it is. Eventually, the ball drops down off the pads. Everyone is smiling.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. Oops! A length ball on middle, rises sharply, follows the batsman down the leg side, Boult just plays it with a vertical bat and the ball lobs in the air - but wide of short leg.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult. A short ball outside off, Boult looks to hook but misses.

Mitchell Starc is back! 11-4-25-1 is how his figures read.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. On off, it is pushed towards covers.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. The batsman goes for the hook but misses the line of the delivery.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. In the air... safe! A short one and on middle, Wagner looks to clear the mid-wicket fence. He is once again very early in the pull shot. It goes off the toe-end and lands safe in the extra cover region. Starc overruns it but no runs taken. Maybe if Starc would have gathered the ball properly, there could have been a run out opportunity as Boult had taken off for a run but was sent back.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. Back of a length and on off, Santner guides it to point.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. FOUR! Off the back of the bat! One more short ball, Wagner is way too early in the pull. The ball hits the back of the bat when he completes his swing and goes over the slip cordon for a boundary.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. Outside off, Wagner slashes but misses.

Trent Boult is the last man in.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. OUT! Fifer for Cummins! His 5th Test fifer. Excellent effort from the pacer. Proving why he is the number one Test bowler at the moment. It is shorter and outside off, Southee pokes at it away from the body, the ball goes off the outside edge and to the keeper. Just one wicket needed for Australia. Given that they have bowled a shade over 50 overs, a follow-on might be on the cards.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. Another short one, Southee guides it towards gully. The fielder misfields but no runs taken.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. Another one on the shorter side outside off, Southee looks to cut but misses.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. Shorter and outside off, Southee looks to put bat on ball but fails to do so.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. Uppish but wide! Shorter and around off, Wagner goes after it. It goes uppishly but well wide of gully for one.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. Nasty! A short one and on the body, Wagner looks to fend but fails to get on top of the bounce. It hits the glove and rolls towards leg gully.

James Pattinson to Tim Southee. Whizzes past the outside edge! Shorter and outside off, Southee looks to push at it but misses.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. Fuller and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. Edged but short! A short one, Wagner looks to pull but is early in the shot. It goes off the bottom edge but lands well short of the keeper.

James Pattinson to Neil Wagner. Short and outside off, Wagner ducks under it.

James Pattinson to Tim Southee. On the pads, it is worked towards fine leg for one.

James Pattinson to Tim Southee. EDGY FOUR! Between the gully fielder and second slip fielder! Not sure why there is not another slip. Fuller and on middle, Southee looks to drive but it shapes away. It goes off the outside edge and to the third man fence.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. The batsman defends it from within the crease. End of a nasty over from Cummins.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. One more ball angled into the pads, Cummins looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. DROPPED! It went to him quickly but he did get two hands to it so should have hung on. Cummins continues banging it short. Wagner looks to play at it but the ball goes off the glove towards Wade at short leg. He looks to take it with his finger pointing upwards but his hand gets stuck in the grill and by the time he gets them sorted, the ball hits the fingers and pops out.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. One more short ball, Wagner ducks under it again.

Pat Cummins to Neil Wagner. One more short ball on the body, Wagner ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. Confusion but safe! That should have been a run out! Southee taps this length ball towards point who is onto the ball quickly. Southee sets off for a run but then hesitates, he eventually goes for it. Lyon picks the ball up and has a shy at the wrong end which is the striker's end and misses. Southee was the one to hesitate so the throw should have been at his end.

Neil Wagner walks out. Will Mitchell Starc come back on? The short stuff is coming...

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. OUT! Another one bites the dust! Once again it is pair of Cummins and Pattinson which is running havoc. Mitchell Santner is walking back now and Australia just the two wickets away from bowling the visitors out. This is another excellent delivery by Pattinson. It is on a length and it threatens to come back in with the angle. Santner defends but does so inside the line as the ball straightens. Kisses the outside edge and goes into the hands of Paine. Third one for Pattinson.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Another short one and on middle, Santner spots it early and ducks under it.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. This is angled into the middle pole, Santner works it to mid-wicket.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Steams in and lands it on off, Santner keeps it out nicely.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. A short one and on middle, Santner evades it.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. A yorker on off, Santner jams it out.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. FOUR! Excellent picked up! Southee walks right across and this is bowled on the stumps. Southee flicks it in the gap between deep square leg and fine leg for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. Just wide! Slighly fuller and on off, Southee pushes at it, it goes uppishly just wide of Cummins' hand and falls short of mid off.

Pat Cummins to Tim Southee. Almost gets his fifth! A short one and on the body, Southee looks to fend but then awkwardly evades the delivery.

Tim Southee walks out to bat.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Latham does not last for long after the break and New Zealand are 7 down now. A loose stroke from Tom, he fails to continue after getting to his half ton. It is slightly fuller and outside off. Latham goes after it away from his body. He has been beaten twice or thrice playing this shot but this time it takes the edge and goes to the keeper who makes no mistake. The last recognized batter is out of here. 4th one for Cummins.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Continues landing it on a length and around off, Latham is solid in defense again.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On a good length and around off, Latham confidently strokes it to mid off.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Good running. On a length around off, Santner plays that with an open bat-face, getting it past David Warner at gully. Warner runs after it, gets to the ball, slides and then returns a good throw to the keeper but Santner is quick to come back for the second. Direct hit might have been interesting though.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. A bouncer now, on middle, MS ducks.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Full and fast, around middle, pushed towards mid on

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. On a good length outside off, Mitchell looks to defend but the ball lands and then seams away off the deck to beat the outside edge.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Full and around off, Santner looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his box.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Full and outside off, Santner drives it straight to point.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Full and wide outside off, left alone.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A bouncer now, Latham ducks.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. EDGED, SHORT! More luck for Latham. Full and outside off, TL looks to defend but the ball moves away and takes the outside edge. Falls short of a diving Marnus Labuschagne at third slip.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A touch short outside off, Tom looks to tap and run to the off side but aborts the thought as Cummins gets to the ball quickly.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through again.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A length ball outside off, shouldered arms to.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. That is a jaffa. On a length outside off, MS looks to block but the ball pitches and then straightens to beat the outside edge.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Full and around off, Mitchell looks to defend but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

James Pattinson to Mitchell Santner. Around off, defended watchfully.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. 16TH TEST FIFTY FOR LATHAM! It has been an excellent batting display against a world class bowling attack. He has taken a lot of time, 135 balls, to get to this landmark, which is also his third slowest half century but he will not care. He was given a life this morning but only Steven Smith would be remembering that now. Gets to his half century with a squeeze behind point. Three runs taken. The deficit is now 357.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Around off, defended watchfully.

James Pattinson to bowl from the other end. 10-1-19-2 so far.

Pat Cummins to Mitchell Santner. Is that a wicket? Not according to Marais Erasmus. There was a noise as the ball went past the bat. Tim Paine looks confident. The slips come charging towards the umpire. Paine has a chat with his bowler. Cummins is not sure. Eventually, no review taken. Full and outside off, coming in with the angle from around the wicket, Santner looked to defend but missed. There seemed to be a sound once the ball went past. Ultra Edge detects it coming off the pad. Top decision.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, tucked towards fine leg for a single.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A bouncer now, but down the leg side, comfortably ducked under.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Outside off, solidly defended.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Full and just around off, watchfully defended.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. EDGED, FOUR! Fortuitous start for Latham after the break! Full and outside off, Tom looks to defend but the ball zips back in, takes the inside edge and goes past the stumps to the fine leg fence!

The afternoon session is upon us. The players are out in the middle. Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner take their positions. Pat Cummins to start off proceedings to Latham. Here we go...

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

4 wickets is what Australia need to end the innings. Will Tim Paine be thinking about the follow-on? If his bowlers wrap this up in the next hour, he might enforce it. But if this Latham-Santner stand digs in, then the follow-on may not be enforced. The temperatures are in the high 40s and remember, there is not much gap between the second and third Tests. Join us back at 1.10 pm local (0210 GMT).

It was the introduction of Matthew Wade which released the pressure. New Zealand had scored just 19 runs in 11 runs in the first hour, but the first over after the Drinks Break went for 13. That inserted some confidence into Latham who was crawling around like a snail till then. Starc did manage to get de Grandhomme before Lunch but he has not been at his menacing best.

Cummins and Pattinson continued their wonderful combination this morning, bowling fast fiery spells and reaping rewards. Cummins made the batsmen hop and used the 2-card trick to perfection, mixing his lengths and getting 2 wickets in 2 balls for the 8th time in his Test career. Pattinson was unlucky, with Tom Latham being dropped off his bowling by Steven Smith. But he fought hard and earned the wicket of BJ Watling.

A session which has probably determined this match and series for Australia. 24 overs, 4/58 with the first hour doing most of the damage. The Kiwis are on the mat with the last recognized batting pair at the crease.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Latham uses his feet again, he does not get to the pitch of it. Latham tries to defend but the ball hits the pad, then the bat and goes towards cover for one. There is an appeal by the keeper but nothing. A single to end the session. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 3!

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Slower through the air on middle, kept out.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Turn and bounce! Flatter on off, Latham goes back and tries to defend but the ball turns away and there is also extra bounce. Latham goes back and tries to defend but is beaten.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Latham comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. It is played to mid on.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Flatter and around off, Latham guides it to point.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Ouch! That will hurt! Fractionally short and on the body, Santner again drops his hand but fails to move out of the way. The ball hits him on his bicep.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. One more short one but down the leg side, left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Well played! A short one again, Santner does well to drop his hands and let it go to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. On the shorter side again, Santner stands tall and keeps it out.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. A rib-tickler. Latham looks to flick but misses. It hits the thigh pad and rolls towards fine leg for one.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Outside off, it is not played at.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. Slower through the air this time and lands it on off, blocked.

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

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. BEATEN! Lyon lands it in a length where Santner is not sure whether to come forward or stay back. He gets it to turn away a little. Santner looks to defend staying rooted to his crease. Gets beaten.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. On middle, Santner comes forward and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. Gives it a lot of air and lands it on off, blocked.

Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Santner. Floats it up on middle, Santner keeps it out.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Back of a length and on middle, Latham stays back and keeps it out nicely.

A late pull out by Latham. He got distracted by Starc's towel which fell down while he was charging in.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Shorter in length and outside off, Latham evades it.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Slips this one down the leg side, it is left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Shortish again, Latham hops and works it to short leg.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Back of a length and on off, Latham stands tall and keeps it out.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Shorter and on the pads, Santner works it through square leg for one. 100 up for the visitors.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. That is a better length but not a great line. Much fuller from Lyon, inviting the drive but too wide outside off. Left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Fractionally shorter than full, outside off, left alone.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Comes down the track, takes the ball on the full and flicks it towards short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Full on middle, Tom comes down the track and looks to flick but gets a leading edge. Does not carry to cover.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Full and around off, Latham lunges and defends.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. This is angled into the pads, Santner works it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Another bumper, Santner lets it go to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. One more bouncer, this time it is ducked under.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. NOT OUT! No conclusive evidence to overturn that and it remains not out. That could have gone either way to be honest. Paine has a chat with the umpire and rightly so, replays did suggest that it brushed the wrist band which is a part of the glove but the third umpire feels different. It is a short one and on the body. Santner looks to fend it by taking his eyes off the ball. It goes off some part of the arm towards Head at leg gully. He takes it and there is an appeal. The umpire shakes his head. After a discussion between short leg, silly point and the keeper, Paine reviews. Quite a few replays have been watched. It seems to indicate that the ball has hit the wrist band. However, Aleem Dar gives it in the favor of the batter. It was a tough decision so can't blame the umpire there. Australia lose a review.

Have Australia got another? The umpire has turned down the appeal for a catch. They review. Australian players do not feel confident.

Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Santner. Outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Santner walks out to bat now.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! TAKEN! There goes number six and now Starc is amongst the wickets. The budding stand has been cut short. This is on a length and around off, it is angling away. Colin de Grandhomme looks to defend but it goes off the shoulder of the bat towards gully where Warner takes it. Around 25 minutes to go before Lunch, can we see the Kiwis being bundled out?

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. In the air... short! Colin de Grandhomme looks to go big. He also tries to play it with the turn. Tries to whip a ball from outside off. It is not off the middle though and hence, lands well short of the deep mid-wicket fielder. One taken.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Loopy ball outside off, it turns back in. De Grandhomme works it with the turn to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Quicker on off, it turns back in. Colin keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Three now! Slightly shorter this time and width on offer. Latham stays back and guides it through backward point for three.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. FOUR! Lovely use of the feet and it is hit brilliantly. Latham comes down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball. Drives it through mid on for a boundary. Excellent shot as it was against the turn.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Top nut! Flatter and on off, maybe Latham should have played this on the front foot but he goes back and looks to keep it out. Gets beaten as it turns away.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. On the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Outside off, not fiddled at.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. On middle, Latham stays back and keeps it out nicely.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Another short ball and on the body, Latham once again lets it go over him.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. On the shorter side outside off, Latham lets it go to the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, de Grandhomme defends watchfully.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and around off, Colin looks to flick, plays it a bit uppishly but it does it carry to short mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Outside off, eased through the covers for one.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Down the leg side, helped throughb square leg for a run.

Nathan Lyon to Colin de Grandhomme. Around off, watchfully defended.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Full on middle, Latham comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. On off, kept out.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Direct hit and Colin de Grandhomme is a goner! Back of a length and on off, Latham drops it towards point and takes off. It is a risky run. Lyon picks the ball up and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Colin was too casual there, he maybe thought that Lyon would go for the bowler's end and not his end.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Overthrow! On middle, Latham looks to defend but it goes off the inner half towards short leg. Wade there fumbles, he spots Latham did move out of his crease for a second so has a shy at the stumps. Misses, no one backing up and the batters take two. Starc's not happy but can't blame Wade to have a shy. Wouldn't have mattered had he hit though as Latham did get back in.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Back of a length and on off, Latham works it to mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and on the pads, Colin de Grandhomme works it through square leg for one. It is a no ball as Starc overstepped.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Loopy ball on the off pole, Tom lunges forward and defends it onto the ground.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. On off, Latham once again goes back and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. Flatter and on off, Latham stays back and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. An appeal but just in hope! Latham comes down the track and looks to flick but misses the full toss. He is hit on the boot. An appeal but not given.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. On middle, it is on the shorter side. Latham stays back and works it to short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. FOUR! No one down there and a boundary! A loosener to begin with. Down the leg side, Latham sweeps it fine on the leg side and bags a boundary.

Time for some spin now! Nathan Lyon is on. So just the one over for Wade. Not sure why that one over was given.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. A hat-trick of plays and misses! Outside off, on a length, slightly slower in pace, Colin pushes but misses.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Lift off the surface. Fuller, outside off, Colin has a poke but the ball rises off the deck and beats his attempt.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Loose. Outside off, de Grandhomme looks to steer it to third man but does not bother moving his feet. Is beaten.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, played straight to Nathan Lyon at backward point.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. A length ball, swinging in, Colin looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Oops! Almost a run out! Excellent stuff from Matthew Wade. Around middle, de Grandhomme tucks it through the leg side. By reflex, he is out of his crease, looking for that single. But by that same reflex, Wade is quick to stop the ball at short leg. He collects and releases the ball quickly, at the striker's end but misses. Waiting for the replay to show where was CdG when the throw was fired.

Matthew Wade to Colin de Grandhomme. On the pads, de Grandhomme works it towards mid on for one. A pressure relieving over from Wade. He concedes 13, while his fast bowlers had conceded just 19 in 11 overs this morning.

Matthew Wade to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Second boundary in the over. Easy pickings for Colin de Grandhomme. A full toss wide outside off, Colin just guides it through backward point and it races away to the fence.

Matthew Wade to Colin de Grandhomme. Fuller and on middle, Grandhomme strokes it back to the bowler.

Matthew Wade to Tom Latham. Follows the boundary with a single as this is worked towards mid-wicket.

Matthew Wade to Tom Latham. NO BALL AND FOUR! Played that late! It is shorter and outside off, Latham waits for it and guides it through backward point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and dives but in vain. Wade has also overstepped.

Matthew Wade to Colin de Grandhomme. Slightly shorter and on off, Colin is hurried into the pull shot. It goes towards wide mid on for one.

Matthew Wade to Tom Latham. On the shorter side, Latham guides it through point for one.

Interesting. Matthew Wade is on to bowl!

Pat Cummins is giving an interview to the on-air commentators. Is happy with the current situation Australia are in. On being asked about how he is always ready from the first ball, Cummins says that he starts to warm up 15 minutes prior to match start. Feels lucky that he got the wickets.

DRINKS! Australia all the way in this first session! They literally have the Kiwis on the mat. The trail is still over 400 and the hosts are into the all-rounders of the opposition. More of the same is what Paine would ask for. Kiwis on the other hand, need a big stand, not sure where it is going to come from as no batter has looked comfortable out there but they need it. Is there a fightback ahead or will the same story continue?

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Around off, de Grandhomme guides it to point.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Nice shot! This time gets the flick shot right off the middle but to the man at mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Inside edge saves Colin! This is full and on middle, de Grandhomme looks to flick but gets an inside edge on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. On middle, de Grandhomme pushes it to mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Some inswing for Starc but the line is a little too straight. He looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Colin de Grandhomme. Down the leg side to begin, a loosener. Colin looks to flick but misses.

Mitchell Starc now is into the attack! So no respite again for the Kiwi batters. Cummins goes out, he is replaced by someone who is going to bowl around 150 kph.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. That was left on length! It was slightly shorter and around off, jags back in. Latham leaves it and it goes over the stumps.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Another one outside off, Latham shoulders arms to this one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Just outside off, not played at.

James Pattinson to Colin de Grandhomme. De Grandhomme works it with the angle through square leg for one.

James Pattinson to Colin de Grandhomme. In the air... safe! This is angled into the pads. Colin looks to put bat to ball but it hits the face of the bat. Goes uppishly but well short of mid on.

James Pattinson to Colin de Grandhomme. Slashes but misses! Outside off and shorter in length. Colin throws his bat at it but is beaten.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Good stop! This is angled into the batter and then Cummins gets it to hold its line. Latham looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge towards gully where the fielder dives to his right and stops it.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On the middle stump, Latham manages to block it out nicely.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A bumper, Latham lets it go over him.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On off, Latham lunges and keeps it out.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Just outside off, left alone.

James Pattinson to Colin de Grandhomme. A length ball but a bit too straight, CdG looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A fiery over from Patto.

James Pattinson to Colin de Grandhomme. A length ball outside off, Colin wants to have a feel of it, plays at it away from his body and misses.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. A short ball, around off, Latham gets on top of the bounce and pulls it all along the ground through mid-wicket. The batsmen take two and then one more on the throw. De Grandhomme is a bit slow off the blocks but makes it in time.

James Pattinson to Colin de Grandhomme. Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Into the all-rounders now. Colin de Grandhomme is the first of them.

James Pattinson to BJ Watling. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! This is a brute of a ball. Just cannot help remembering Ian Chappell time and time again. If he was on air, he would have definitely said - 'Had the batsmen run two, Watling would not have been out, because he would not have been on strike!' But a terrific ball from Patto. He has been steaming in from yesterday, desperate to make his presence felt and he gets his second scalp. This is absolutely unplayable. Pattinson bends his back and lands this back of a length outside off. BJ is forced to play at it but suddenly, the ball kicks off. It keeps on rising and takes the glove, lobbing to Joe Burns at first slip. 3/12 in 32 balls this morning.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, Latham pushes it through the covers and takes a single. Both batsmen return for the second but after taking a couple of steps, Latham stops and sends Watling back, as he feels he would not have made it in time. BJ has to apply the brakes and then go back. Gets back in time.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Just outside off and Watling does not play at it. Another excellent over by Cummins. 9 in his 4 overs today and 2 wickets for him.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. OHHH! Cummins seems like taking a wicket on every ball he bowls. This is on off, it is on a length. It skids through. Watling looks to defend but gets an inside edge which bounces behind the batter and then on the leg side. Watling though was alert to kick it away had it been rolling towards the stumps.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Just short! That seemed a late decision by Watling to play at it. It is shorter in length and on the body. It seemed like Watling initially looked to move out of the way but then tries to fend at it. It goes off something towards third slip but lands short of Labuschagne who dives forward to take it. Replays later on show that it was off the shoulder.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Outside off, it is left alone.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Drop and run! Shorter in length and on off, Latham plays it towards cover for one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Good shot for one! Slightly fuller again, Latham just puts bat to ball and gets it past mid off for one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Loose stroke! Not sure that is the right shot by Latham, especially since he edged one early on. This is not that full and it is outside off, Latham goes after it but gets beaten.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Back of a length and on off, Latham pushes it towards mid off.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Just outside off, not played at.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. A nice short one by Pattinson! Latham looks to defend but there is extra bounce on this one. It hits the glove and luckily for Latham, it falls on the ground.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On the off pole, Latham keeps it out.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Solid shot but for no runs! On the fuller side again, Watling plants his front foot forward and hits it nicely to mid off.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Lovely delivery! On a length and around off, gets it to straighten after pitching. Watling looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. A couple now! Off the outer half though. Fuller in length and around off, Latham looks to drive but the bat turns in his hands. It goes off the outer half through covers for two.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Good leave! This is in the 5th stump channel. Watling knows where his off pole is and lets it go through to the keeper.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Length delivery and outside off, it is left alone.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Good shot! On the fuller side around off, Watling strokes it nicely but finds mid off.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Outside off, not played at. End of an over which could have seen another wicket fall but that is not the case. Still a top over this.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On the fuller side on middle, Latham works it to mid-wicket.

James Pattinson to BJ Watling. On the pads, this is worked down to fine leg for one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. EDGED AND DROPPED! Steven Smith is the culprit. He probably should have just let the first slip fielder take it as it was straight to him. This is on a fuller length and around off, Latham looks to drive but does so inside the line. It flies off the outside edge between first and the second slip fielders. It is a lot closer to the former than the latter. Smith though dives to his right and looks to take it but fails to hang on. It goes towards third man for one. That would have been dreadful for New Zealand. Latham would want to make this count now. Also, you have to feel bad for Pattinson, he could have easily had three wickets by now but only has one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. There is no respite for the Kiwi batters! Cummins just bowled an amazing over and now Pattinson starts the other with a beauty! It lands on off and on a length and then moves away. Latham does nothing wrong as he looks to defend the original trajectory but is beaten.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Cummins now goes wide and outside off, not played at. What an over by Cummins, two wickets in it. New Zealand still 416 runs away.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. FOUR! First shot of authority by a Kiwi batter today! It is full and around off, Watling leans into it and strokes it down to the long off fence. A good shot to get off the mark. Should give him a lot of confidence. 50 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. WIDE! Way too short and it goes well over the batter who ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. Another one on middle, Watling is solid in defense.

Pat Cummins to BJ Watling. No hat-trick. Watchfully negotiated. Good ball though. It is on middle, Watling lunges and keeps it out nicely.

BJ Watling walks out to face the hat-trick ball.

Pat Cummins to Henry Nicholls. OUT! Umpire's call! It is clipping the top of leg pole! Cummins has two in two and Nicholls bags a first-baller. A horrible start this for Kiwis. They have lost two wickets in the 14 balls bowled today and they are staring down the barrel now. Cummins from around the wicket bowls it full and on the stumps. Nicholls shuffles right across and misses the flick shot. He is hit flush on the front pad right in front of the stumps. A huge shout and up goes the finger. HN reviews. Replays roll in and they show that the on-field call is the right one. JUST ABOUT. Because the impact is in line but the angle is taking the ball down the leg side, clipping the leg stump on height as per Ball Tracker! Nicholls trudges back, New Zealand do not lose a review though. Cummins is on a hat-trick for the 8TH TIME in his Test career.

Nicholls is a goner! He has been given out LBW. He reviews. Only an inside edge can save him here.

Henry Nicholls walks in at number 5, replacing Taylor.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. OUT! Edged, dropped, no it has been taken! Taylor is out of here. This was coming. Australia have been on the money right from the first ball this morning and they have their first scalp of the day. Cummins bowls this fuller and around off, it straightens a touch. Taylor pushes at it with hard hands. It goes off the outside edge. It goes quickly towards Labuschagne at third slip who is quite low in his stance. He stretches his arms upwards to take the catch but fails to hang on. The ball though pops up just behind first slip. Burns is alert to that, he moves towards the ball and takes it. The Australians are delighted. Early wicket for them, just the start they would have wanted.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Poke and beaten! Shorter in length and on off, it angles away. Latham looks to push at it away from the body but gets beaten. Two good overs to begin with by Australia.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On middle, blocked.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. Pattinson is getting the ball to move both ways! Angles it in this time, Taylor works it down to fine leg and gets to the other end.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. BEATEN! Beauty again. This lands on off, it pitches and moves away again. Taylor defends the original trajectory but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. Lovely delivery! The last time it came back in and this one goes away. It lands around middle and it is on a length. Taylor looks to defend but misses to get hit high on the pads.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. Slightly shorter and on middle, it jags back in. Taylor looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

James Pattinson to bowl from the other end. 5-1-9-1 so far.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. 'Definitely two noises' says Wade at short leg but Paine does not review. Great decision to not review as replay shows that there is no bat involved. Cummins this time angles it into the middle pole. It lands just behind a length. Latham looks to defend but misses to get hit high on the front pad. The ball lobs towards gully where Warner dives forward and takes it. A huge appeal but the umpire is unmoved. There is a discussion between the Australians but they do not review. Rightly so as replays show there is not bat and Ball Tracker shows it to be going over. End of a testing first over by Cummins.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. That is a beauty! He angles it in from wide of the crease from around the wicket. Lands it on off, Latham looks to defend but it straightens and then whizzes past the outside edge. Not a lot you can do there but just hope it misses the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. First run for today! Slightly fuller on middle, Taylor works it through mid-wicket for one.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Lands another one on a length and around off, Taylor once again is solid in defense.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Fuller in length and on middle, Taylor strokes it back to the bowler.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Uppish but short! On a length and around off, Taylor looks to keep it out but does so with hard hands. It goes uppishly but well short of short extra cover.

We are all set for the action to begin! The Aussie players make their way out to the middle. Ross Taylor and Tom Latham stride out to resume their innings. Pat Cummins will start the proceedings for Australia. He will be bowling to the right-hander. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...

Cracks are starting to appear on the pitch and it will be interesting to see how Nathan Lyon and the seamers make use of it. They too, would want to take wickets at frequent intervals, else, they could face the same problems as the Kiwi bowlers in this heat.

With a deficit reading 423, the Black Caps would logically be approaching this in small steps. First aim would be to avoid the follow-on, though in this 40 degrees Celsius heat, doubt whether Tim Paine would even enforce it, should he get the chance. But that is a long way. Bat hour by hour, session by session and try and keep Australia on the field for the whole day. Runs are not a premium right now, but if they do bat the whole day, they will be in a very good position to save this game.

The moving day, as they call it, in cricket. The third day in a 5-day Test. Day 2 caused a lot of 'head pain' for the Kiwis, as Travis Head and Tim Paine possibly batted them out of this Test. And then, the wicket of Kane Williamson before Stumps added an icing on the cake. But as we all know, New Zealand are a team of fightbacks. What type of fightback are we gonna witness today? Hello and a warm welcome.

... DAY 3 ...

New Zealand had to survive a little more than half a session but they could not do so unscathed. They lost Blundell early and then the biggest wicket, Williamson. Taylor was also given out but he made good use of the review. Latham and Taylor now need to build a big stand here or New Zealand's hope of getting close to Australia's total will be very difficult. Australia on the other hand, will look to continue the good work of Day 2 and strengthen their hold on the game even more. Do join us for all the action at 1030 local (2330 GMT, previous day). Till then, take care and goodbye!

A dominating performance by the hosts right from the start on Day 2! They batted majority of the day to post a mammoth total. They lost Smith early but Head and Paine took charge. The two accounted for a big stand with the former scoring a ton and the latter notching up a fluent half ton. It was slow going in the first two sessions but then they looked to score some quick runs in the third. Trying to do so they lost wickets in a heap and were bundled out for 467.

Travis Head is the man who leads his side off the field! Rightly so, the day belongs to him. Majority of the credit has to be given to him as it is because of his ton, Australia are in the position they are in at the moment.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Tosses it up outside off, Taylor strokes it through covers for a single. A run from the last ball! THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 2!

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. On middle, Taylor works it to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Good amount of turn for Lyon there! It lands on off and comes back in. It works it to square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Flatter and outside off, it turns back in. Taylor works it to square leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. This lands outside off and it turns back in. Taylor shuffles across and looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Floats it up on off, Taylor works it towards square leg for nothing.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. One more ball outside off, Latham does not fiddle with it.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham shoulders arms to this one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. This is angled into the batsman, Latham works it through square leg and takes two.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. One more delivery outside off, Latham does not fiddle with it.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Outside off, it is not played at.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. A low full toss on off, Latham strokes it to covers.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Outside off, full and going straight on, let through.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Around off, watchfully blocked out.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler.

Lot of chirping going around. Tim Paine certainly has got some confidence after his knock earlier today and he is constantly into the ears of Ross Taylor. Normally, he is a very quiet guy behind the stumps.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Around middle, worked towards short leg.

Nathan Lyon to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Nathan Lyon to Tom Latham. An edge straightaway! Yes, there is turn and bounce. Full and around off, Latham looks to defend but the ball spins away, bounces and takes the outside edge. But well wide of Steven Smith at first slip. A single taken.

Here comes the GOAT. Can he get some fodder tonight? Mitchell Santner got turn and bounce earlier in the day. Will NATHAN LYON get any? He has got probably 2-3 overs to find out.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. A short ball on middle, Taylor ducks under it.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. Back of a length and on off, it is kept out.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. This is angled into the pads, Taylor is a touch late in the shot. He ends up pushing it back to the bowler.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. Goes for a yorker but slips it down the leg side. Taylor misses the flick.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! That is going over! Did not see that coming. Excellent review by Taylor and the crowd erupts. Not sure if the game is being played in New Zealand or Australia. Pattinson steams in and angles it into the middle pole. Taylor plants his front foot way too across and tries to flick but misses. It hits the pad and a confident appeal is made. Up goes the finger. Taylor reviews immediately. Replays roll in and they show that the ball is going over. The Kiwi fans and players will breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Taylor is a goner! He has been given LBW but he reviews. Looks out.

James Pattinson to Ross Taylor. Dropped! Difficult to call that one though, he needed to react really quickly. It is angled into the pads of Taylor. He flicks it right off the middle. It hits the leg of Wade. He got no time to react there.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On middle, Latham keeps it out nicely.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On a length and around off, it straightens again. Beats the outside edge again. This is testing times for Latham. He needs to show a lot of character and fight out of this period.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. OUCH! That must have hurt. Slightly shorter and outside off, it jags back in sharply. Latham looks to leave but does not account for the movement. He gets hit on the bicep first and then on the chest.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Taylor is off the mark! He pushes this short ball wide of mid off and gets to the other end.

Pat Cummins to Ross Taylor. Good length and on off, defended.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. That is a beauty! The change of angle almost does the trick. Comes around the wicket and lands it on off, it straightens after pitching. Latham looks to defend but is beaten. End of a lovely over by Pattinson. He also got the big wicket of Williamson.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Outside off, it is left alone.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. A yorker now, Latham jams it out.

Ross Taylor has come out at number 4. No night watchman? Well, with less than half hour to go to Stumps, one would have imagined that the Kiwis might have been interested in protecting one of their main batsmen. Brave move.

James Pattinson to Kane Williamson. OUT! In the air... taken! Huge, huge wicket and the Australians know it. Their celebration says it all. Williamson has played a false stroke, just what New Zealand did not want. The Kiwi supporters are shocked. It is a short ball around off, Williamson looks to drag his pull but ends up getting a top edge as there is steep bounce on it. It goes high on the leg side. Paine runs after it, settles under it and takes a good catch. Another low score for Williamson.

James Pattinson to Kane Williamson. FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Seen that done by the Australian batters and now the Kiwi batsmen do so. A full ball outside off, there is a hint of away movement on that delivery. Williamson leans into the stroke and hits it through covers. The ball slows down as it gets to the ropes. Lyon hares after it from point and by the time he chases it down. The batters run four.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. One more ball outside off, Latham does not fiddle with it.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. BEATEN! Lovely nut again! Angles it into the off pole and then gets it to straighten right at the end. The ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Extra bounce and extra zip! Shorter around off, it skids through and also takes off after pitching. Latham does well to bail out of the defensive stroke.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Another appeal but it is going down leg! Cummins angles this into the pads. Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A huge shout but nothing from the umpire.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. This is angled into the off pole. Latham stays back and keeps it out.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On the fuller side, Latham just puts bat to ball and strokes it through cover-point for two.

James Pattinson to Kane Williamson. Too high! Slightly shorter and around off, it jags back in. Williamson looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit high on the pads.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On the shorter side, Latham gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through backward square leg for one.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Another back of a length delivery on off. Latham looks to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto the body.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. A short one on middle, Latham ducks under it.

James Pattinson to Kane Williamson. This is angled into the batter, Williamson looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Once again cuts him into half! A good nut to end a good over. On a length and outside off, it jags back in sharply. Goes between the gap of bat and pad as Latham tries to block it.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A length delivery around off, Latham once again leaves it on length.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Looks to bowl the yorker but ends up bowling a full toss down the leg side. It does take Latham by surprise as he tries to flick but is late on the shot. Had it been on target, it could have been a wicket.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Another ball outside off, it is not played at.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Outside off, not played at.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A bit of a loose drive that from Latham. It is fuller in length. He plays it ahead of his body and hence, it is not timed well. Still goes through covers for two.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Pattinson is appealing but he is the only one doing so. The ball rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Another delivery on a length and on off, Latham prods forward and blocks it solidly.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. On the pads, Tom Latham works it to mid-wicket.

James Pattinson to Tom Latham. Just outside off, Latham makes a good leave.

James Pattinson to Kane Williamson. Another back of a length delivery, Williamson plays it late again and gets it through backward point for one.

James Pattinson to Kane Williamson. Shorter and on off, Williamson guides it to point.

James Pattinson is on now! He is making a comeback into the side so he would want to make an impression straightaway.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham shoulders arms to this one.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. That cuts him into half! What a delivery. It lands outside off and Latham looks to defend. He leaves a gap between bat and pad. The ball jags back and sneaks through that gap.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Slightly shorter and around off, Latham leaves it on length.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Angles it into the off pole, Latham keeps it out nicely. Cummins is hoping one ball to straighten after pitching. That has not happened yet.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Back of a length and on off, Latham keeps it out off the back foot.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Cummins comes from aroundthe wicket to the left-hander. He bowls it on off, Latham keeps it out nicely.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Length to end on off, Williamson is solid in defense.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Goes back to bowling it short. Williamson does not play at it.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Top class stuff from Starc! After two bumpers he bowls a yorker now on off, Williamson is up for the challenge as he jams it out.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Another bumper! Williamson ducks under it again. This though is signaled as a wide for height.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. A good bumper, Williamson spots it early and evades it.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Just short! Williamson goes after this full and very wide delivery. It goes off the outer half but lands just short of Warner at gully.

Mitchell Starc to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson shoulders arms to it. Good carry to the keeper.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Williamson's away! He opens the face of his bat on this length delivery and guides it through backward point. They take two quickly and go for the third. Complete it. Good running. End of a successful over for Australia.

Pat Cummins to Kane Williamson. Outside off, left alone.

Skipper Kane Williamson comes in at number 3, replacing Blundell. 18.2 overs left in the day.

Pat Cummins to Tom Blundell. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Pat Cummins draws first blood and Blundell's return into the team is not a good one. Cummins goes full and around off, it is not a driving length delivery. The ball holds its line a touch. Blundell goes for the drive but the ball goes off the outside edge and to Paine who makes no mistake. Early wicket for Australia. New Zealand trail by 444 runs.

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

Pat Cummins to Tom Blundell. Shorter in length and outside off, Blundell looks to push it through the off side but it goes off the underedge and on the bounce to second slip.

Pat Cummins to Tom Blundell. Outside off, not played at.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Around off, pushed towards point.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Another one in the 140s, watchfully defended.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, Latham misses his flick.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Nice shot. A length ball outside off, extra bounce but TB rises with the bounce and plays it beautifully, placing it between gully and backward point. Three runs taken.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Landed outside off, let through again.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Very good awareness from Tom Blundell. Before this ball, Starc had two men deep on the leg side for him. But Tom expected that this might be a double bluff. And it was. Mitchell bowled it at pace, 145.7 kph, probably expecting Blundell to play at that. But Tom let it through.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. An ambitious appeal! This lands on middle and then jags back in. Latham looks to keep it out but misses to get hit high on the pads. An appeal but it is too high.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. One more delivery outside off, Latham does not fiddle with it.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Outside off, it is left alone.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. A good bumper, Latham sways out of the way at the very end.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On the fuller side and on middle, Latham keeps it out nicely.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Back of a length and on off, kept out.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. FOUR! This is a positive start for the Kiwis! Another boundary. On the pads, it is flicked fine on the leg side and the ball races away to the fence. Three boundaries in this over. 12 from it in total.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Still no movement! On a length and on off, Blundell keeps it out.

Change of balls as this one hits a camera when it went to the boundary. It must have lost its shape. Australia would hope the new ball offers some movement.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. FOUR BYES! That has taken off out of nowhere! It is a length delivery outside off, Blundell lets it be. It keeps rising after going past the batter. Paine hops but fails to collect it and it goes to the fence behind.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. FOUR! That is a lovely shot by Blundell! It is shorter this time and outside off, Blundell gets on top of the bounce and guides it through point for a boundary. First of the game and it is a quality shot. A back foot punch to someone of Starc's pace is not easy.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Very full and straight, Blundell mistimes his drive back to the bowler. That was delivered at 148.7 KPH. Starc is really bowling quick here.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Outside off, looking to curl it back in. It does not. Easy leave for the batter.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. BEATEN! Very full and outside off, Latham goes for a booming drive but is beaten. The length was not quite right to play the drive.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. One more ball outside off, Latham shoulders arms to this one.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Outside off again, it is not played at. The Australian bowlers haven't got the same movement as the Kiwi bowlers.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. On the off stump, Latham is solid in defense.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Pat Cummins to Tom Latham. In the air... but safe! That was right off the glove! A short one and on the body. Latham looks to work it on the leg side but fails to get on top of the bounce. It hits the glove and lobs behind but lands short of the keeper.

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. BEATEN! That was quick. That even took Paine aback as he collected the ball. It is full and around off, Blundell is beaten for pace as he looks to drive. Paine collects it in front of his face and almost loses balance.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Two leg byes now! A little bit of movement for Starc. Inward movement. The line is very straight though. Blundell looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls on the leg side. Two taken.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Another couple! This is fuller again and on middle, Blundell works it past square leg and takes two more.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. On the pads, Blundell is off the mark now as he works it through mid-wicket and takes two.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. A huge appeal from the slip cordon but nothing from the bowler! This is full and on off, Blundell looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Blundell. Back of a length and on off, it is guided to gully.

Mitchell Starc to Tom Latham. No ball! So the wait continues for Australia to bowl their first legal delivery in this game. Latham is also off the mark. It is a length ball around middle, Latham pushes it towards mid on and takes off. The fielder picks the ball up and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Also, that is a big no ball by Starc. He may have missed his run-up.

The players are out in the middle. Tom Latham and Tom Blundell will open for New Zealand. It is that man, Mitchell Starc, to start off proceedings to Latham. Here we go...

A mountain to climb for New Zealand then. 488 is the target, in a minimum of 168 overs. Highly unlikely that one will see this being hauled down but sometimes, the pitch at the MCG tends to get better in the final innings. The Black Caps of course, will be looking to see off hour by hour and then look at how they are placed. Around 78 overs left today - a decent day's batting should see them get close to 200 - if they forget that they are chasing a target and just focus on playing normal Test cricket. Stay tuned for the final innings.

Describing the innings, it is pretty much similar to how a second innings scorecard looks. No one scoring a half century and everyone throwing away his wicket. Plenty of starts not converted but that was because the batting was done with a sole purpose of giving some rest to the Aussie bowlers. New Zealand toiled hard again and it was that man Neil Wagner, who topped the bowling charts with 3 scalps. Full marks to Trent Boult as well, for coming out to bowl in spite of an injured hand yesterday.

Right. So 31 runs in 9.2 overs this morning. Tim Paine just wanted to have New Zealand out in the middle for some time. Not much progress for Australia today, because they were not able to score quick runs and get to that elusive lead of 500.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. OUT! TIMBER! Head has been bowled round his legs. All eyes at the Australian pavilion and there is the signal! AUSTRALIA HAVE DECLARED! Wagner on the other hand, gets his third. It is on the leg pole. Head looks to flick but misses it and the ball hits the leg pole. NEW ZEALAND HAVE A TARGET OF 488!

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. On the shorter side around off, Head guides it towards point.

Paine is seen taking his pads off so the declaration seems nearby.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Carved away! Full and outside off, Head gets it over point, there is a man in the deep so just one.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Hits this off the middle but finds the fielder at cover.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. Another short one down the leg side, Wade pulls it down to fine leg for one.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Another mistimed stroke! Slower short one on middle, Head looks to pull but it goes off the toe-end down to long on for one.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Full and wide outside off, Head looks to go after it but misses. Head is losing his shape everytime he is trying to hit the ball. He is going too hard out there.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Slower short ball outside off, Head is early in the pull, it goes off the bottom half towards the left of the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. One more slower short ball on the body, Head looks to nudge it on the leg side, it goes off the glove though towards the leg side for a single.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. On off, Wade guides it to point for one.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Now a bumper, Wade evades it.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Head misses out again! A slower one and it is a full toss. Head swings but the ball dips right at the end. It goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Outside off, Head strokes it nicely but straight to covers.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A slower short ball on the body of the batter, Head lets it go over him. Watling collects it on the bounce.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On a length and around off, Head guides it through backward point and picks up a single.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On the fuller side, Head strokes it nicely but finds covers.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Slower one outside off, Head is guilty of going too hard at it. He mistimes it towards cover.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. On the shorter side, Head tries to pull but the ball does not bounce as much as he expected it to. Gets beaten and it goes over the stumps.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. On the shorter side and around off, Wade pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

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

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Landed outside off, played straight to point.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. Very full, almost a yorker, driven straight to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Dropped short, pulled through square leg for a run.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A length ball, around off, coming in with the angle, Travis looks to tuck but gets a thick inside edge onto his hips. The ball drops down and the batsmen take a quick run.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. On the shorter side and on middle, Wade ducks under it.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. A short ball and on middle, it is pulled through square leg for one.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Just short again! Good stop in the end by Henry, the sub. Shorter and outside off, Head once again throws his bat at it. The ball flies off the outside edge towards Henry at fly slip. He runs in but the ball then falls just ahead. He puts his body on the line as he dives forward and stops it. One taken.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Head misses out! Shorter and outside off, Head cuts it but can't beat point.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Well bowled! A slower yorker outside off, Head is completely foxed. His feet go nowhere as he tries to put bat on ball but misses.

Tim Southee to Matthew Wade. On the fuller side outside off, Wade strokes it towards cover and takes off. Taylor has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Wade tries to take another run but it is not on.

Tim Southee to Travis Head. Slightly shorter and outside off, once again it takes off after pitching. Head does well though to gently guide it through point for one.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. One more short ball outside off, it is left alone.

Neil Wagner to Matthew Wade. Outside off, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. In the air... short! One more short ball on the body, Head looks to sway away but realizes it is too late to do so. He plays an upper cut which lands short of Ross Taylor at fly slip for one.

Neil Wagner to Travis Head. A good short ball, it zips through and is right on the body of the battter. Head hops to defend but then realizes it is getting big on him. Avoids it in the end.