NZ v Aus 1st Test, Day 2 Review: Voges, Khawaja propel Australia towards a massive lead

Australia consolidated their position on day 2 of the 1st Test at Wellington by adding a further 323 runs to their total. Adam Voges was the star of the show as he remained unbeaten on 176. Usman Khawaja too made his Test comeback with a well made century.

Having been on 140/3 overnight, Voges and Khawaja took to the field on day 2, looking to surpass the New Zealand score. With the seamers unable to dislodge the Aussie pair, McCullum tossed the ball to off-spinner Mark Craig. The latter however too failed to break the partnership as he was smashed for 128 runs off his 32 overs. McCullum’s decision to bowl Trent Boult finally paid off as the latter removed the dangerous Khawaj with the score at 299. The move became a masterstroke when Mitchell Marsh too fell in the same over for a duck.

While everyone at Wellington was expecting an Australian collapse, Adam Voges once again proved his Test match selection as he went about compiling his century. Peter Neville, the Australian wicketkeeper batsman also justified his selection in the side as he stitched a magnificent 96-run partnership with the well-set Voges.

Adam Voges’ innings of 176 included a massive 26 boundaries. With the score at 395, Neville eventually lost his wicket after he was caught behind from a gem of a delivery from Corey Anderson. With the tail finally exposed, the Kiwis must have sensed a closure to the Australian innings. Following his heroics with the ball, Peter Siddle showed one and all his prowess with the bat as he kept Voges company. Siddle succeeded in frustrating the Kiwi bowlers with a well-crafted inning of 29 which included 4 boundaries and a massive six.

Voges and Siddle remained unbeaten on 176 and 29 respectively, with the former expected to reach his third double century in a row as play resumes tomorrow. As for the New Zealand bowling, Boult and Southee will be looking to complete the mop-up on the third day at the Westpac Oval in Wellington.

Brief Scores:

1^st Innings

New Zealand – 183 all out

Australia (140/3 overnight) – 463/6 in 130 overs (Adam Voges 176*; Tim Southee 2/76)