Williamson leads Kiwi fightback against Australia

Kane Williamson continued his rich vein of form by scoring a fluent half-ton as New Zealand were 140-2 at stumps on the second day of the second Test against Australia at Perth on Saturday.

Williamson remained unbeaten on 70 and received substantial support from Tom Latham (36) and Ross Taylor (26 not out) as the tourists are still trailing by 419 runs.

Australia had declared their first innings at 559-9 an hour before tea as pugnacious opener David Warner (253) could only add nine runs to his monumental overnight tally.

The hosts started losing wickets late in quick succession as off-spinner Mark Craig was the pick of the bowlers returning figures of 3-123.

Usman Khawaja, who scored a stellar 121, strained a hamstring when he chased a ball to the boundary and pulled up sore during New Zealand's response.

Australia are leading the three-match series 1-0 after ruthlessly defeating New Zealand by 208 runs at the Gabba.