CHENNAI: New Zealand’s held a tenuous 94-run lead in the absorbing day-night third Test after a second day of tumbling wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Kiwis, trailing 1-0 in the series, struggled to build a defendable total to present Australia in the fourth innings after another fast-paced day’s cricket of 13 wickets before 42,372 fans.
At the close, the Black Caps were finding batting difficult under lights and were 116 for five with a result looming on Sunday’s third day in the scheduled five-day Test.
New Zealand had lost their top batsmen and still at the crease were B.J. Watling on seven with debutant Mitchell Santner not out 13.
Josh Hazlewood led the Australian attack in the absence of injured spearhead Mitchell Starc as the pink ball again dominated the bat.
Hazlewood removed both openers with mesmerising ball movement under lights. Martin Guptill sliced to Mitch Marsh in the gully for 17 and Tom Latham was tempted by a wider delivery and was caught behind for 10.
Hazlewood had Kane Williamson dropped on one by Adam Voges in the slips but the star Kiwi batsman soon feathered a catch to Nevill off Mitch Marsh for nine to complete a low-scoring match.
Captain Brendon McCullum followed for 20, leg before wicket to Marsh and Perth Test double century-maker Ross Taylor fell the same way to Hazlewood for 32.
The second day turned on a contentious challenge decision in Australia’s favour before dinner, enabling them to go on and grab a 22-run innings lead. Nathan Lyon survived a review before joinining in a record Australian trans-Tasman series 74-run ninth-wicket stand with Peter Nevill.
New Zealand 202 & 116/5 (R Taylor 32, Hazlewood 3-32) vs Australia 224 (Nevill 66, Smith 53, Bracewell 3-18).