Mitchell Starc has ensured his place in cricketing folklore, but Ross Taylor has countered with the greatest knock of his life on an enthralling third day of the second Test.

Starc was clocked at 160.4km/h at the WACA on Sunday, the fastest delivery recorded in Test history. 

Taylor dug out that yorker and powered on to be 235 not out at stumps, lifting New Zealand to 6-510 and reducing Australia’s lead to 49 runs.

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A draw remains the most likely outcome of the match, but the spectacular feats of centurions Taylor and Kane Williamson mean the three-Test series is very much alive.

NZ cricket greats Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe believe Williamson will finish as the country’s greatest batsman.

Williamson scored 166 in Perth but was overshadowed by NZ’s ex-skipper.

Mitchell Starc worked up some incredible pace at the WACA on Sunday. Photo: Getty

Taylor posted his highest Test score, also bettering Crowe’s 188 to set a new mark for the highest score by a New Zealander against Australia.

It’s also the only double-ton by a visiting batsman at the WACA.

With the exception of a handful of mix-ups between the wickets, none of which was punished by direct hits from Australia, Taylor scored with remarkable ease and little fuss.

Bad balls were punished, more often than not by a powerful drive.

Good balls were respected, Australia not producing them often.

Williamson and Taylor shared a 265-run stand, setting a new mark for the country’s highest partnership against Australia.

It didn’t end until the second new ball was replaced – some five overs after it was taken by the hosts.

Josh Hazlewood removed Williamson, the zen master’s first false stroke coming after six-and-a-half hours at the crease.

The mistimed pull shot gave Mitchell Johnson a regulation catch and sparked Starc.

The left-armer then broke the 160km/h mark and Brendon McCullum’s bat, a chunk of wood snapped loose after jamming down on a yorker.

In a fiery seven-over spell, Starc regularly bowled at more than 150km/h and created two chances that were put down.

Nathan Lyon fumbled an edge at third slip when McCullum was on five, while Taylor was on 137 when Mitch Marsh spilled a sharper catch at gully.

The hosts also had a chance to dismiss McCullum for five and Taylor for 107, but failed to throw down the stumps.

Steve Smith was clearly unhappy with the reprieves.

Smith’s frustration also showed after an unsuccessful review and when substitute fielder Jonathan Wells misread a ball in the deep and conceded a needless boundary.

Wells, fielding in place of hamstrung Usman Khawaja, missed a run-out opportunity when Doug Bracewell was yet to score.

Johnson dismissed Bracewell for 12, making it one of the least costly chances.

McCullum was skittled by Marsh for 27, while BJ Watling fell to a Starc full toss on one.

The wickets merely strengthened Taylor’s resolve.

Johnson finished with 1-131 from 24 overs, bringing his career tally to 311 Test wickets.

Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Dennis Lillee (355) are the only Australians to have taken more.

– AAP