Advertisement

Aussies on track for series sweep, No.1 Test ranking

AAP

AAP

New Zealand fought hard with bat and ball on a heated fourth day of the second Test but Australia remain well placed to claim victory and the No.1 Test ranking.

Australia finished 1-70 at stumps on Tuesday, having been set a victory target of 201 in Christchurch.

David Warner gloved one down the leg side on 22, making it his first ever Test series without at half-century or ton.

Josh Hazlewood furious with third umpire
Cambage calls out fellow Opal for blackface costume
• Nick Kyrgios wins first title without dropping a set

Warner gestured the ball came off his hip after being given not out, with NZ skipper Brendon McCullum successfully reviewing the verdict.

The footage was damning and Warner started to walk before third umpire Richard Illingworth could hit the button.

Neil Wagner claimed the wicket, while the paceman was warned by umpires over the number of bouncers he delivered.

AAP

David Warner fell for 22. Photo: AAP

It was a day full of momentum swings and Decision Review System (DRS) drama.

The Black Caps resumed at 4-121, reaching 335 when they were bowled out early in the final session.

Jackson Bird grabbed his maiden Test five-wicket haul, including three in the space of 10 balls.

The hosts were 7-210 when Tim Southee was out edging to Bird, who also dismissed dangermen Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson.

But BJ Watling and Matt Henry delivered yet another twist in a topsy-turvy contest, sharing a 118-run stand.

Henry contributed a career-best knock of 66, while Watling added 46 runs before becoming James Pattinson’s fourth victim.

Williamson, who fell three runs short of a ton, and Anderson batted out a heated morning session.

Needing a win or draw to top the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings, tempers flared in the final over before lunch.

Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood both angrily confronted standing umpire Ranmore Martinesz after unsuccessfully reviewing an lbw shout.

Illingworth was satisfied Williamson, then on 88, edged the ball before it hit his pads.

Smith and Hazlewood were both in disbelief.

AAP

Kane Williamson is bowled by Jackson Bird for 97. Photo: AAP

Hazlewood earlier trapped Williamson lbw for 54 but the Black Caps’ boy wonder successfully reviewed Martinesz’s verdict.

Replays confirmed it was a howler and Williamson clearly edged the ball onto his pads.

On-field umpires then spoke with Hazlewood regarding a separate incident at the end of the session, when the fired-up spearhead appeared to give Anderson a spray.

Australia’s fielding, a highlight over the previous three days, dropped off early in the day.

NZ were 4-138 and Anderson was on 17 in the morning session when he drove a wide delivery from Pattinson.

The resultant edge rocketed straight to Mitch Marsh at gully but burst through the allrounder’s hands.

Joe Burns could have dismissed Williamson on 56 but it would be harsh to call it a chance.

Williamson clipped the ball off his pads and it would have been a blur for Burns, stationed at short leg.

Pattinson was the bowler again and flashed a look of pure rage.

Burns finished 27 not out, backing up his game-changing knock of 170 in the first dig.

Usman Khawaja is on 19.

-AAP

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.