The second Test between New Zealand and Australia is poised for a thrilling finale in Christchurch, with Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey chipping away at the target.
Chasing 279 for an unlikely victory, Australia is currently 5-174 at lunch, needing a further 105 runs.
Australia’s Travis Head departed early, dismissed by rival captain Tim Southee in a chaotic start to day four at Hagley Oval.
Mitchell Marsh slapped Southee’s first delivery of the day directly to point, with rising star Rachin Ravindra dropping the catch at point. However, the very next delivery, Head attempted a cut shot of his own, with Will Young swallowing the chance.
“That is dreadful batting from Travis Head,” former Black Caps wicketkeeper Ian Smith said on SEN commentary.
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Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey was given out LBW while facing Matt Henry in 34th over, but the decision was successfully overturned on review. Not longer after, the Black Caps wasted a review on a non-existent caught behind chance against Carey.
There was another review on the stroke of lunch, but replays suggested Marsh got a faint inside edge on the LBW shout against spinner Glenn Phillips.
If achieved, it will be Australia’s highest successful run chase against New Zealand in Tests.
The start of day four was delayed by weather, with rain hitting Christchurch on Monday morning.
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Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), Ben Sears
Source Agencies
