Obdurate Smith holds firm for Australia after Boult gives New Zealand dream start
Australia bounced back strongly after losing Joe Burns in the first over of the second Test against New Zealand at Melbourne.
Trent Boult found the gap between Burns’ bat and pad to remove middle stump and give the Black Caps a dream start after they had won the toss and put their opponents into bat.
FULL SCORECARD: Second Test – Australia (257/4) v New Zealand
However, the hosts rallied well, with Steve Smith to the fore, to close on 257 for four.
David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne had put on 60 for the second wicket when Warner fell for 41, caught by Tim Southee at second slip off Neil Wagner 15 minutes before lunch.
It was 144 for three when Labuschagne was bowled by Colin de Grandhomme, then 216 for four when Matthew Wade (38) was caught by BJ Watling off de Grandhomme.
However, Smith (77 not out) and Travis Head (25no) held firm until the close, sharing in an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 41.
Australia lead the three-Test series after winning the opener in Perth by 296 runs.
Latest
-
NewsHeather Knight accepts and understands Pakistan tour decision
The England Women captain says the decision was taken out of the team’s hands.
-
NewsNew Zealand keep series alive with three-wicket victory at Leicester
Katherine Brunt impressed for England but the hosts were beaten.
-
NewsBowlers shine as Lancashire bid to land Championship title
Hampshire were dismissed for 143 at Aigburth.
-
NewsECB acted alone in cancelling tour, says Britain’s high commissioner to Pakistan
Christian Turner appeared to distance the political establishment from the decision and insisting he supported the trip.
-
NewsRamiz Raja fears ‘West versus rest’ split in international cricket
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman was responding to the cancellation of England’s tour next month.
-
NewsSecurity around England Women v NZ third ODI raised after ‘threatening email’
The game, at Leicestershire’s Uptonsteel County Ground, is due to go ahead as planned with a 1pm start.
-
NewsWhat was the safety issue and how has England’s decision gone down in Pakistan?
The ECB has pulled its men’s and women’s teams out of next month’s planned white-ball tour of Pakistan.
-
NewsEngland cancel Pakistan tour due to ‘mental and physical well-being’ concerns
PCB chair Ramiz Raja accused England of “failing a member of their cricket fraternity when it needed it most”.
-
NewsEngland men’s and women’s Pakistan tour cancelled due to ‘well-being’ concerns
The players had been due to head out next month.
-
NewsWarwickshire title hopes boosted by availability of Chris Woakes
The Bears sit second in the table heading into Tuesday’s final round of fixtures, just 3.5 points behind Hampshire.