Aussies stay on top thanks to Pattinson

Cricket365
February 24, 2016

Australia were in a dominant position at stumps for a third day in a row in Christchurch, despite Neil Wagner's six-fer for New Zealand, as the Black Caps ended the day on 121 for four.

Australia had been bowled out for 505 on the day, adding 142 runs to their overnight score for the loss of six wickets. Their bowlers did well to restore the momentum in their favour though, leaving the Kiwis trailing by 14 runs with six wickets in hand.

The day began with Australia on 363 for four, a touch behind the 370 New Zealand made in their first dig. Adam Voges was in the middle on just two overnight, but he was a the driving force in the morning.

Voges went on to make 60 runs, while Wagner employed the bouncer to great effect at the other end and recorded figures of 6/106. The lower order for Australia did not find their feet, with most not reach the teens.

As such, New Zealand went in to bat with a deficit of 135, and quickly lost opener Martin Guptill for a duck to James Pattinson. The paceman took three of the four wickets to fall in the evening.

Tom Latham and Kane Williamson then took the score to 66, before Latham was out for 39. Henry Nicholls followed soon afterwards for two, bringing Brendon McCullum to the middle for his final international innings.

The Kiwi skipper was unable to add to his first innings heroics though, as he fell for 25 to Josh Hazlewood. McCullum had struck a six the ball before, but his luck ran out as David Warner took a brilliant catch at midwicket.

McCullum was given a rousing, and lengthy, standing ovation as he left the field. He ends with 101 Test caps, an average of 38.64, and 12 centuries.

This left Williamson and Corey Anderson to see out the last 10 overs of the day. Williamson was on 45 at the close, while Anderson was on nine off 31 balls.