Reuters
Perth, Nov 15: Ross Taylor (235 batting, 308b, 34×4) scored the first double century by a New Zealander against Australia to drive the tourists to within 49 runs of the hosts’ tally on 510 for six at the close of play on the third day of the second Test here Sunday.
The 31-year-old right-hander shared a record partnership of 265 runs with Kane Williamson (166, 250b, 24×4), as the tourists finally got on the front foot after losing the first Test by 208 runs and conceding a torrent of runs at the start of the second.
Questions will be asked about the quality of the WACA wicket after more a than a thousand runs were scored in three days but Australia’s Mitchell Starc (2/83) showed there was life in the track with one frightening spell of new-ball bowling.
The left-arm paceman hit the 160 kilometres per hour mark with one delivery, took a chunk out of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s bat with another and created a string of chances which all failed to go to hand.
It was the more pedestrian pace of Josh Hazlewood that broke the third-wicket partnership when Williamson toe-ended an attempted pull to Mitchell Johnson at mid-on, while Mitchell Marsh’s 130-kph effort clean bowled McCullum for 27.
Starc did get some reward for his fiery efforts with a full toss that BJ Watling (one) slapped to Nathan Lyon at point and Johnson (1-131) removed Doug Bracewell for 12 to claim his 311th Test wicket.
That moved the 34-year-old ahead of Brett Lee and into fourth place in the list of Australian Test wicket-takers with only Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee ahead of him.
Brief scores: Australia 559 for 9 decl; New Zealand 510 for 6 (Ross Taylor 235 batting, Kane Williamson 166). Match to continue.
