Melbourne: Australia snatched two early wickets to leave New Zealand facing an uphill battle to stay in the second Test Friday as they chase the home team’s 467, built on the back of a gritty 114 from Travis Head. At the close on day two, the Black Caps were 44 for two with Tom Latham not out nine and Ross Taylor on two as a series defeat looms.
Captain Kane Williamson lasted only 14 balls, skying a James Pattinson delivery to wicketkeeper Tim Paine on nine while Tom Blundell, called up for the out-of-form Jeet Raval, was out to Pat Cummins for 15.
The visitors need to win to square the three-match series after crashing by 296 runs in the opening day-night clash in Perth.
Australia looked in complete control at tea on 431 for five, but they then collapsed to be all out for 467 within nine overs of the restart.
Skipper Paine departed for 79 seven balls after tea, with Mitchell Starc gone soon after for one. Head, Cummins and Nathan Lyon rapidly followed with Neil Wagner (4-83) and Tim Southee (3-103) doing the damage.
Australia started the day at 257 for four with Steve Smith on 77 and Head not out 25.
Head came into the match under pressure after a lean spell, but silenced his critics with only his second Test century, reaching three figures off 222 balls.
“It’s very nice to contribute. It’s pretty cool to score a Boxing Day hundred, nice to get my opportunity,” said Head, adding that Paine counter-attacking when he came in helped.
“It helped that Tim came out and struck the ball as well as he did, it definitely took a lot of pressure off me. But credit to New Zealand, at times it was difficult and they stemmed the scoreboard.” (AFP)
