Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 3 Review: Burns, Warner give Australia the upper hand

Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 3 Review: Burns, Warner give Australia the upper hand: It’s not a usual sight of seeing a team scoring at 6.5 runs per over in a Test match, that too in 40 overs. But that has been the situation today, wherein Warner and Burns played some excellent cricket to put Australia well ahead in the first Test match. Though the New Zealand made a strong comeback, picking up 4 quick wickets in the final hour, it was more due to Australia’s urgency to score runs even quicker that they lost wickets. With a humongous lead of 503 on board, Australians are definitely on the drivers seat going into the 4^th day of the Test.

Earlier, the New Zealand batsmen came onto the field with the motive of avoiding the follow-on. Kane Williamson continued from where he left, and was holding up in one end. Both Watling and Craig had starts but failed to convert it into a big score. Bracewell, who was dropped by Voges earlier during the day, was giving Williamson some much-needed company down in the middle till Lunch. Australia were just 3 wickets away from closing up the first innings, whereas Williamson was crucial for New Zealand to have any chance to avoid the follow- on.

The defiance, however, was temporary, as medium pacer removed Bracewell. Tim Southee, who avoided bowling for half of the Australian first innings, hit a couple of lusty blows before getting bowled by a Starc beauty. New Zealand were still 40 odd runs away from avoiding follow on, and Kane Williamson took it onto himself. But the defiance eventually ended when he ended up edging one to the wicket-keeper, signaling an end to the New Zealand innings. Williamson was well appreciated for an incredible knock of 140. Meanwhile, Smith decided not to enforce the follow-on, quite possibly to give some much-needed rest to Australia’s pace battery.

Quick runs were expected from the Aussies when they came to bat, but what we witnessed was some clean batting accompanied by some very poor bowling. Without Southee in the attack, the attack looked toothless with the new-ball. Burns, surprisingly, was standing toe-to-toe to Warner as far as the scoring rate was concerned, and helped Australia to get a quick start.

The lead just swelled on, and the batsmen completed their respective fifties. While Burns was scoring at a strike rate of sub-80s, Warner got to his fifty in less than run a ball. They were especially severy against the spinner Craig, who has been clueless with his line and length during the entire duration of the match. But that’s when Burns started to switch gears. Burns burnt through the clueless New Zealand bowling order, who had absolutely no idea as to how to contain the batsmen. Burns got to his maiden Test century, that too at his home ground, with consecutive sixes off Craig. A ball after Burns’ century, the match was suspended due to passing showers. With the lead now standing at 412, things were really looking bleak for the Black Caps.

Post the rain-break, Warner continued his progress to yet another century. Eventually he got to his 14^th century, continuing to score heavily in what can be considered as a purple patch in form. After reaching to his century, he went berserk against the spinner, eventually losing his wicket while attempt to switch hit against the spinner. Burns got out trying to slog Craig out of the park. Smith, in a rare failure, got out to some splendid piece of fielding from Williamson. Marsh, on an attempt to score some quick runs, hold one to mid wicket. But with the lead now at 503, Australia are definitely in the drivers’ seat.

Summary

Australia have stamped their authority in this Test with some clinical performances. While Starc and co cleaned up the New Zealand tail, the Aussie openers went berserk against hapless New Zealand bowlers. Things are looking very bleak for the New Zealand players, and they need a miracle from the batsmen to have a chance at saving this Test.

Brief Scores

Australia 556-4 decl and 264-4 ( Burns 129, Warner 116; Craig 3-78)

New Zealand 317 (Willamson 140, Latham 47; Starc 4-57)