The Australian Cricket Team have cemented their dominance on the 3rd day of 1st Test match played at Optious Stadium, Perth on Saturday.
Starting on the overnight score of 109 for 5, Ross Taylor and BJ Watling survived few anxious moments. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc bowled with aggression. Pat Cummins got the breakthrough for Australia dismissing Watling with a beauty of delivery. Nathan Lyon troubled the New Zealand batsmen with lots of spin. At the stroke of drinks break, Lyon dismissed the dangerous Taylor for 80. Colin de Grandhomme played some lovely strokes before Mitchell Starc got him with a vicious bouncer in a controversial dismissal. De Grandhomme decided to review it and there was no evidence to overturn the decision. New Zealand were bowled out for 166. The umpires decided to call lunch.
In the 2nd session, Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme troubled the Australian openers. Warner and Burns looked uncomfortable. Warner survived as New Zealand captain Kane Williamson decided to review the decision. The umpire stayed with the decision as not out. Tim Southee provided the breakthrough for New Zealand dismissing Warner for 19. Warner and Burns added 44 runs for 1st wicket. Marnus Labuschagne survived a chance when Colin de Grandhomme dropped him. Burns and Labuschagne found it tough to score runs. Australia scored 75 for 1 with a lead of 325 runs.
After the tea break, Labuschagne and Joe Burns found it tough against the New Zealand bowlers with pitch having variable bounce. After few overs, both batsmen scored with positive intent. Burns reached his fifty off 102 balls while Labuschagne completed his half-century off 79 balls. Neil Wagner provided much needed breakthrough for New Zealand dismissing Labuschagne with a bouncer. Both Australian batsmen added 87 runs for 2nd wicket.
Tim Southee bowled a stunning bouncer to dismiss Joe Burns for 53 off 123 balls. Wagner and Southee took the advantage of the conditions by getting wickets of Smith, Head and Travis Head. Australia ended 3rd day with a massive lead of 417 runs. With the pitch having variable bounce, it is going to be a massive task for the Kiwis to draw the match.
Australia 416 in 146.2 overs ( Marnus Labuschagne 143, Travis Head 56, Tim Paine 39, Neil Wagner 4/92, Tim Southee 4/93) and 167 for 6 in 57 overs ( Joe Burns 53, Labuschagne 50, Tim Southee 4/63, Neil Wagner 2/40) lead New Zealand 166 in 55.2 overs (Ross Taylor 80, Kane Williamson 34, Colin de Grandhomme 23, Mitchell Starc 5/52, Nathan Lyon 2/48) by 417 runs
