ADVANTAGE AUSTRALIA
Williamson stands between visitors and victory in the second Test
christchurch — Both Australia and New Zealand played down any significance of the umpires warning the visitors for throwing the ball to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill on the bounce in order to aid its deterioration during the third day of the second test on Monday.
The visitors are on the brink of a comprehensive victory over New Zealand at Hagley Oval after the hosts ended the day on 121 for four, still 14 runs away from making Australia bat again.
Steve Smith’s side were dismissed after lunch for 505 and a first innings lead of 135 runs.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson then extracted conventional and reverse swing, particu-
But full credit to Patto with the way he has bounced back, he was excellent today
Adam Voges
larly during the final session when heavy cloud, blustery winds and cooling temperatures aided their efforts.
It was a much more disciplined effort from Pattinson who had McCullum caught for 39 in the first innings only for the wicket to be ruled out because of a no ball and McCullum added another 106 rapid runs before he was dismissed. “To come back from the disappointment of the no ball in the first innings and to produce that today is a terrific effort,” teammate Adam Voges said.
“The coach didn’t miss him after play on day one and that’s probably putting it nicely. He got a rocket.
“He probably didn’t disagree with what the coach said. But full credit to Patto with the way he has bounced back, he was excellent today.”
Australia however were also warned after the 20th over for throwing the ball into Nevill on the bounce in order to further scuff up one side of the ball, though both Adam Voges and New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling said that was part of the game. “There is a line and I’m sure that most fielding teams will get as close to the line as they can without overstepping it,” Voges said. ” —