Steve Smith takes a one-handed blinder to remove Kane Williamson in Perth Test
New Zealand found themselves 109/5 at the end of day two with Starc picking 4/31.
The Australia and New Zealand day-night Test match which is being played at the Optus Perth Stadium is getting more and more interesting as time goes by. Apart from the brilliant batting from Marnus Labuschagne and co, the injuries and fielding from both sides have been the highlight of the match thus far.
Australia had chosen to bat first after winning the toss and though they lost Joe Burns early, Warner (43) and Steve Smith (43) aided Marnus Labuschagne as he guided the Kangaroos towards a formidable total against the Black Caps. Labuschagne completed his third consecutive century in Tests and ended up making 143 with 18 fours and 1 six. He got help from Travis Head as well who made 56, while Tim Paine (39), Starc (30) and Cummins contributed well, with Australia posting 416 runs.
Steve Smith hogs the limelight with an amazing catch to get rid of Kane Williamson
New Zealand was hoping to make the most on the second day, but those hopes were dashed with Starc removing Latham for a duck and Hazlewood picking the wicket of Jeet Raval. The lanky Australian bowler then had to leave the field owing to an injury bowling just 1.3 overs. However, then skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, the two most experienced Kiwi batsmen got together.
They had added 76 runs for the third wicket before a moment of brilliance from former Australia captain Steve Smith ended hopes of big innings from the stylish New Zealand captain. On the fourth ball of the 23rd over, Mitchell Starc bowled a short of the length delivery to the off stump, which Williamson tried to glide to the third man, but only managed to edge it to slips. The ball flew off the edge, when Smith stationed in slips, flew to his right and grabbed the ball one-handed to give Kiwi fans a big shock.
Here is the video of Smith’s one-handed blinder:
New Zealand found themselves 109/5 at the end of day two with Starc picking 4/31 and Taylor unbeaten on 66 runs. Earlier, Tim Southee (4/93) and Neil Wagner (4/92) were the picks of Kiwi bowlers, as they lost debutant Lockie Ferguson for the remainder of the Test due to a tear in his right calf muscle.
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