New Zealand finished the second day in Perth on 2 for 140, with Kane Williamson unbeaten on 70. They trailed by 419 runs after Australia declared on 9 for 559 earlier in the day

The Report by Brydon Coverdale14-Nov-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:05

Nicholas: Australia near-certain to win the match

Spectators arrived at the WACA on Saturday morning hoping to see something special. David Warner was on 244, and he scores fast. What was to come? A triple-century? An Australian record? A world record? No. Instead, this was a day of more sedate Test cricket, of New Zealand doing what they could to claw back into the Test. Australia remained on top, but this day at least was more evenly fought.In fact, all the batsmen combined on day two didn’t outscore Warner’s personal day one tally by much – 283 to 244. Warner added only nine and was first out, for 253. By stumps, the new most important man was Kane Williamson, who again looked a class above his team-mates, and was unbeaten on 70. Ross Taylor had shown some encouraging signs, on 26, and New Zealand were 2 for 140, still trailing by 419.That deficit was almost exactly the amount Australia had scored on the first day, and the first day is what will likely still cost New Zealand the match. As outstanding as Williamson was – and he was brilliant in moving to his half-century from his 90th delivery with a lovely cover-driven boundary off Mitchell Johnson – he will need significant support on day three. And with Doug Bracewell at No.7, this is a team short a batsman.Williamson scored heavily through cover and struck 10 fours, and Australia continued to have trouble finding his weakness. Probably because he doesn’t seem to have one. Notably, Taylor was much more crisp than in his scratchy Gabba performance, punching through cover-point and slog-sweeping Nathan Lyon for four. He had started to look something like the confident Taylor of old.But Australia had struck twice. Mitchell Starc was especially dangerous early, accurate and finding swing at high speed. In the third over of the innings, Starc trapped Martin Guptill lbw with a quick inswinger, and New Zealand did well to avoid losing any further wickets to Starc. It was not until Lyon found some turn later that they claimed another, Tom Latham caught at slip for 36.There was a serious concern for Australia shortly after tea, when Usman Khawaja pulled up short while chasing a ball to the boundary and left the field with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Khawaja had scored 121 on the first day, his second century in consecutive Tests, and his efforts were key to Australia being able to post their 9 for 559 declared.Steven Smith had called an end to the innings shortly after drinks in the second session, Australia having added 143 to their overnight total. Wickets had started to tumble late in the innings, including three in one over from Mark Craig, but by then Australia were searching for fast runs and the wickets meant little to the overall contest.The day had started with the anticlimax of Warner edging to third slip off Trent Boult for 253 in the sixth over of the day. Like most of the New Zealand bowlers, Boult was much more impressive on the second day than on day one, keeping to more consistent lines and lengths. On the first day they had bowled only one maiden, on the second they managed 10. But the pressure they built was nominal only, given Australia’s hefty total.Only a few lusty late blows from Mitchell Marsh and the tail indicated that Australia were nearing a declaration; for much of the rest of the day they batted without hurry, secure in the knowledge that they were tiring New Zealand out with every over. When Smith did attempt a heave off Matt Henry he tickled a catch behind on 27, and it was then Adam Voges who steered the innings.Voges managed 41 before he was caught behind off Boult. Marsh struck five fours and a six on his way to 34 before he was spectacularly taken by Bracewell, a magnificent, reflexive return catch. The umpires checked on a possible no-ball and Bracewell may well have had nothing behind the crease, but the margin was tight and the third official gave him the benefit of the doubt.Craig then finished off with three wickets in an over as Australia’s lower order sought quick late runs. Peter Nevill danced down and was stumped for 19, Starc holed out for a golden duck and next ball Johnson was also stumped after advancing down the pitch. Lyon survived the hat-trick ball and the declaration came after the next over.The day ended with nine wickets having fallen, a much more even contest between bat and ball, and between Australia and New Zealand. Brendon McCullum’s men could only wish it had been that way one day one.