Centuries from Smith and Voges put Australia back on top after Taylor's 290
Centuries from Steven Smith and Adam Voges ensured that Australia are firmly in command after day four of the second Test at the WACA. Smith’s fourth hundred as captain in five Tests and Voges’ first Test ton in Australia meant that the hosts lead by 193 runs going into the final day.
Earlier in the day, Ross Taylor’s marathon innings rewrote the record books as his score of 290, was the highest score by a visting batsman in a Test in Australia. After losing Mark Craig early, Taylor batted brilliantly with the tail and secured the visitors a handy lead of 65.
Craig was the first to be dismissed as he attempted to repeat his six off Nathan Lyon but only succeeded in gifting an easy catch to Mitchell Johnson at mid-wicket. Matt Henry followed soon after, but it was the new ball bowlers that helped Taylor get within touching distance of his maiden Test triple-hundred.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult made useful contributions towards the end to help the Kiwis finish on 624. The pair were at it again, after lunch, this time with the ball in hand, as they removed both openers cheaply.
Joe Burns, who didn’t look comfortable at all during his brief spell at the crease, was finally put out of his misery by Southee, as he edged to Ross Taylor for a seven-ball duck. Boult then picked up the dangerous Warner for 24.
With the Aussies two down and still in deficit, the Kiwis might have fancied their chances of restricting them to a modest total but Smith and Voges ensured that none of that happened. The pair put on an unbeaten 212 for the third wicket and saw the hosts till close of play.
Whether the game ends in a tame draw, like it was looking from the third day, or produces a positive result eitherway, will depend on how courageous Smith is. The Aussie skipper is still batting and with all results still possible, it is upto him to decide the fate of this Test that has been dominated by the bat.
Scorecard:
Aus 1st innings: 559/9 dec
NZ 1st innings:
| Martin Guptill | 1 (5) |
| Tom Latham | 36 (85) |
| Kane Williamson | 166 (250) |
| Ross Taylor | 290 (374) |
| Brendon McCullum | 27 (54) |
| BJ Watling | 1 (12) |
| Doug Bracewell | 12 (40) |
| Mark Craig | 15 (38) |
| Matt Henry | 6 (12) |
| Tim Southee | 21 (23) |
| Trent Boult | 23* (33) |
| Total | 624 |
Bowling:
| Overs | Runs | Wickets | |
| Mitchell Starc | 37 | 119 | 4 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 32 | 134 | 1 |
| Mitchell Johnson | 28 | 157 | 1 |
| Nathan Lyon | 37.5 | 107 | 3 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 15 | 73 | 1 |
| Steven Smith | 4 | 16 | 0 |
Aus 2nd innings:
| David Warner | 24 (22) |
| Joe Burns | 0 (7) |
| Steven Smith | 131* (170) |
| Adam Voges | 101* (180) |
| Total | 258/2 |
Bowling:
| Overs | Runs | Wickets | |
| Tim Southee | 13 | 40 | 1 |
| Trent Boult | 10 | 50 | 1 |
| Doug Bracewell | 10 | 34 | 0 |
| Matt Henry | 12 | 45 | 0 |
| Mark Craig | 17 | 81 | 0 |
| Kane Williamson | 1 | 8 | 0 |