NZ v Aus 2nd Test Day 2 Review: Australia in control as Smith and Burns hit tons

The day two of the 2nd Test was equally enthralling as day one. Australia came back into the resoundingly after being whacked by Brendon McCullum yesterday. The visitors continued from their overnight score of 57/1 to end at a comfortable 363/4 with the help of high-class centuries from Joe Burns and skipper Steve Smith.

Overnight batsmen Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja began the day’s proceeding. New Zealand hoped for an early breakthrough with the advantage of early morning moisture and newish ball. And, they did not have to wait long as they immediately got better of Usman Khawaja.

Trent Boult managed to get a nick off Khawaja’s outer edge which was held safely by McCullum at slips. New Zealand managed to trouble Burns and Smith in the morning session. The early movement off the pitch tested the skills of the batsmen.

Burns survived a close chance when Bracewell appealed for a caught behind and the umpire agreed with the bowler. It appeared that the ball brushed Burns’s gloves as he was trying to leave the ball but replays showed that the ball had come in contact with his shirt and the decision was overturned. Smith also endured a stinging blow to his abdomen after he tried to pull Trent Boult. However, both batsmen were unmoved.

However, conditions eased as the day progressed and the duo batted comfortable and accumulated runs with ease. The strip had turned batting friendly. Soon, Burns reached his third career century when he edged a ball to the third man boundary. It was an awesome old fashioned inning. Smith also reached his century with a four as well soon after the 200 runs stand between both the pair was established.

But the doors opened for the Blackcaps just few overs before the end of day’s play when the duo were made to depart in the space of three overs.

Burns hooked a bumper from Wagner but the ball went straight into the hands of Guptill at square leg. Smith’s dismissal was an action replay of Burns’ dismissal. The beneficiary was Wagner again. Smith pulled down a short delivery which found Guptill at square leg. The pair put on a record 289-run stand for the third wicket, erasing the previous best in Trans-Tasman series of 264 set in 1974 by Ian and Greg Chappell.

The days ended with the tourists trail by seven runs with six wickets in hand after Voges and Lyon at the crease.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 370 all out in 65.4 overs (McCullum 145; Lyon 3/61)

Australia 363/4 in 110 overs (Burns 170; Wagner 2/63)