New Zealand vs Australia: Burns and Smith's partnership takes Australia towards big total at end of Day 2
Joe Burns scored his third test century, while captain Steve Smith scored his 14th, as Australia continued to chip away at New Zealand's first innings total on the second day of the second test on Sunday.
Burns, who had been given out earlier only to have the decision overturned on review, scored 170 and Smith scored 138, as the visitors put New Zealand through to a soul-crushing day. There were late breakthroughs in the day for the Kiwis, who finished the day with a lead of 7 runs. Adam Voges and night watchman Nathan Lyon were at the crease, and Australia have 6 more wickets to play with.
The visitors went into the break on 241 for two, 129 runs behind New Zealand's first innings of 370.
New Zealand's only success in the morning on a Hagley Oval wicket offering no assistance to swing, seam or spin, was when Usman Khawaja was snapped up in the first hour of play for 24 off Trent Boult, the pick of the hosts' bowlers.
Burns and Smith’s partnership enters record books
Burns and Smith then combined in a 289-run partnership as New Zealand's bowlers toiled under a cloudless Christchurch sky. This was the second highest Test partnership ever between two Aussie batsmen against New Zealand.
The 26-year-old Burns had resumed after the lunch break on 78 and brought up his century, his second against New Zealand, when he edged between slip and gully off Matt Henry to notch his 12th boundary.
Burns was earlier given out caught behind on 35 but immediately asked for a review and television replays showed the Matt Henry delivery had brushed his forearm and not his gloves.
Smith was struck in the back of the head by a short Neil Wagner delivery in the final over before tea but looked well set to push on to another century, though the second new ball is due three overs into the third session.
New Zealand's first innings was anchored by a superb counter-attack led by captain Brendon McCullum, who blasted the fastest test century, from 54 balls, on Saturday.
Playing his 101st and final test, McCullum scored 145 while Anderson (72) and BJ Watling (58) added half-centuries after the hosts were reduced to 32 for three within 20 overs.
Brief Scores: Australia 363/4 (Burns 170, Smith 138; Wagner 2/63, Boult 2/85) trail New Zealand by 7 runs at stumps on Day 2