Australia on the verge of Test win, top ranking
Australia are in sight of a victory against New Zealand in the second Test match after reaching 70 for 1 while chasing 201 runs at the end of the fourth day in Christchurch on Tuesday.
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Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja were the unbeaten batsmen on the crease for Australia who, by winning the Test, will not only complete a series whitewash but also become the world number one side.
Resuming their second innings on a shaky 121 for 4, the New Zealand batsmen fought back admirably to score 335 runs. Middle order batsman Kane Williamson anchored the innings with a defiant 97
He was ably supported by Corey Anderson with whom he shared a 102 run partnership for the fifth wicket. Just like Anderson, who scored 40, the next man in BJ Watling provided solid support to Williamson before getting dismissed for 46 runs.
Despite Williamson’s heroics, New Zealand were reduced to 210 for 7. A fine rearguard action by the no 9 batsman Matt Henry who remained unbeaten on 66 helped the hosts cross the 300 run mark.
Jackson Bird was the star performer for Australia claiming with his first five-wicket Test haul while James Pattinson took four wickets to give Australia a 201-run target.
Australia had taken a 135 run lead in the first innings.
They lead the two match series 1-0 after winning the first tie in Wellington.
Scorecard:
New Zealand (first innings): 370
Australia (first innings): 505
New Zealand (second innings): T. Latham c Nevill b Pattinson 39, M. Guptill c Nevill b Pattinson 0, K. Williamson b Bird 97, H. Nicholls c Smith b Pattinson 2, B. McCullum c Warner b Hazlewood 25, C. Anderson b Bird 40, B. Watling c Burns b Pattinson 46, T. Southee c Smith b Bird 0, M. Henry b Bird 66, N Wagner not out 3, T Boult c Pattinson b Bird 0
Total (for 10 wickets): 335
Bowling: Hazlewood 34-11-92-1, Pattinson 26-8-77-4, Bird 17.1-5-59-5, Lyon 17-3-42-0, Marsh 17-4-49-0 (nb1)
Australia (second innings): 70 for 1
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