Cricket: Taylor, Williamson NZ heroes at Waca

Ross Taylor raises his bat after scoring a double century against Australia during their cricket test match. Photo / AP

It started as Kane Williamson's day and ended up one of Ross Taylor's finest at the Waca yesterday.

The pair of batting champions ensured New Zealand are firmly in the contest with two days left in the second test.

Williamson's 166 maintained his splendid run of form; Taylor's 235 not out, batting through the day, a monumental display of concentration and skill. Together they rewrote the records.

On a day notable for speed and patience, New Zealand will start the fourth day at 510 for six, trailing Australia by 49 with two days left.

Some days the statistics become the story.

For all they may be relevant and fascinating, piles of numbers can also have the eyes spinning and bring on the need to find a cool, dark place.

There were notable achievements by New Zealand batsmen, and one Australian bowler, but the story of the day, inspired by Taylor's highest test innings and more brilliance from Williamson, was the tourists' clearing their throat and for the first time in the series having a full day to savour.

In the process, they effectively announced they will still have a say in the outcome of this three-test series.

Taylor produced one of the best innings played in Australia and underpinned New Zealand passing 500 for just the third time against Australia.

For a large chunk of the day, Taylor had Williamson for company - truth be told he was Williamson's sidekick through the early stages as the No 3 man peeled off his second century of the series, his fifth in his last 12 innings and his 12th in all.

Williamson's 166 was outstanding, full of splendid strokes and based on impressive defensive work; Taylor's classy, and a tribute to his staying powers.

They added 265 for the third wicket, eclipsing the old mark for all wickets against Australia, 253 by Nathan Astle and Adam Parore 14 years ago, on the same ground.

After Williamson departed, Taylor bossed the afternoon.

Among Taylor's check points yesterday were:

• Becoming the first overseas player to score a double century at the Waca;
• Passing 5000 test runs;
• Hitting New Zealand's first double century against Australia, in the process overtaking his mentor Martin Crowe as highest scorer against Australia in a test innings;
• Being the 13th player to score a double century against Australia;
• And joining a group of five New Zealand players with two or more test double tons.

Taylor grew in stature the longer he was at the crease. He had the odd shaky moment, and was dropped at 138 by Mitchell Marsh at gully off an unimpressed Mitchell Starc.

The bowlers' response was to send down the fastest ball ever recorded in a test, 160.4kmph. Starc delivered a withering burst for an over or two to spark up the afternoon which went increasingly New Zealand's way.

Taylor's previous century had been a year ago in Dubai.

He has had lean times since then, but yesterday was a return to his confident best against a quality attack, albeit one labouring in conditions designed to make bowlers want to head to the beach instead.

By stumps Taylor had batted 7h 40min.

He joined Bruce Edgar (1985) and Mark Greatbatch (1989) as the only New Zealanders to bat through an entire day at the Waca.

''It's one of the best innings I've seen," Williamson said of Taylor's effort.

'The tempo he batted at, and the length of time he was at the crease was outstanding."

Batting coach Craig McMillan added it was ''right up there, an immense innings".