Aussies closing in on victory in day-night Test

Image
AFP Adelaide
Last Updated : Nov 29 2015 | 4:07 PM IST
Australia were edging towards victory thanks to a Shaun Marsh-Adam Voges partnership in the first-ever day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide today.
After being set 187 runs to win, the hosts were rocked by the double loss of skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner in the space of seven balls.
But the West Australian pair restored the innings with an unbeaten 47-run fourth-wicket stand on the third day.
At the dinner break heading into the crucial final session under lights, Australia were 113 for three and 74 runs from victory with Voges on 27 and Marsh not out 24.
Victory would give Australia a 2-0 win in the three-match series. The Kiwis would remain unbeaten in their last eight Test series since 2013 if they can bowl out the Australians with the pink ball.
Whichever way it goes, the Adelaide Oval is poised for its first three-day Test match in 64 years -- since the West Indies beat Australia by six wickets.
The first wicket came in the sixth over when Trent Boult trapped Joe Burns leg before, but Steve Smith was dropped five overs later.
Smith pulled Doug Bracewell into the air towards Mitchell Santner on the leg-side, but the Kiwi debutant put down the skied chance to give the Australia skipper a massive letoff on two.
David Warner was out 12 balls later, caught at second slip by Tim Southee off Bracewell for 35 in a big scalp for the Black Caps.
And the Kiwis got another major fillip when Smith was out leg before wicket to Boult seven balls later.
Smith reviewed the decision and the ball was tracked hitting him high on his pad. But the Hawk Eye technology had the ball just flicking the leg bail and that was enough to back up umpire Richard Illingworth's on-field decision.
Smith's departure brought Shaun Marsh to the crease at a crucial stage of the Australian innings as he fought to save his stop-start Test career.
New Zealand earlier lost their last five wickets in the first session to be bowled out for 208, a lead of 186.
Paceman Josh Hazlewood led the Australian attack in the absence of the injured Mitchell Starc, taking six for 70 off 24.5 overs.
The Kiwis, who had resumed on 116 for five, lost their last five wickets for 92 runs with Santner top-scoring with an impressive 45 off 88 balls.
B.J. Watling fell on the ninth ball of the day on his overnight score of seven.
Hazlewood induced an edge which flew to Smith at second slip, who had dropped Watling on two the previous evening off the same bowler.
Hazlewood then had Mark Craig caught behind for 15 and Santner's impressive knock ended with a rush of blood to the head.
After jumping down the wicket to hoick spinner Nathan Lyon for six, the bowler two balls later lured Santner to repeat the shot -- and he was smartly stumped by wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Southee then hit two fours and went after Mitch Marsh but was well caught by Lyon on the backward square boundary for 16. Boult went for a wild swing and was bowled by Hazlewood for five to end the innings, with Bracewell unbeaten on 27.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 29 2015 | 4:07 PM IST

Next Story