Aussie media: Black Caps could win

Doug Bracewell slides into his crease to avoid a run out. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's stunning second test fightback in Perth can lead to an extraordinary test victory, according to Australia's cricket writers.

And if that proves beyond them, a team who deserved to be written off after the Gabba test is now considered capable of drawing this three-match series with a victory in the historic day-night game in Adelaide.

Ross Taylor's fightback is being portrayed as similarly dramatic: his previous struggles in Australia have been highlighted as is the opportunity for him to become the first visiting batsman to score a triple century in Australia.

However, there has also been more focus on the batting-friendly conditions now that New Zealand has emulated, and threatens to surpass, Australia's huge first innings score.

Taylor, who goes into day four unbeaten on 235, has put New Zealand in a position to gain a first innings lead and contemplate what would be one of the greatest of all test cricket victories. Australia's writers aren't jumping up and down about that, but a New Zealand victory is contemplated.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Jesse Hogan wrote: "With two days remaining, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum will have to decide whether to pursue an innings lead, which would increase the likelihood of a draw, or bowl again as soon as possible in the hope of dismissing Australia cheaply and levelling the series."

He also wrote that "the prospect of the Black Caps being able to level the series in Adelaide is alive".

In the Daily Telegraph, Braden Quartermaine said: "Taylor could become the first visiting batsman to post a triple century in Australia if the Black Caps elect to bat on in a bid to build a first-innings lead."

"It was hard to imagine a more crushing and dispiriting day of test cricket on Friday, but out of the ashes of the day-one carnage New Zealand gave Australia a taste of their own medicine..."

"...believing nothing is impossible, the Kiwis stared a 2 - 0 series deficit in the face on Friday night and refused to submit.

"They climbed off the canvas from what had appeared to be a hopeless situation and they may yet be able to set up a memorable finish late on the fifth day."

Meanwhile Taylor is already in illustrious company, with the 17th highest test score ever recorded in Australia. The highest from a visitor is 287 by England's Tip Foster in 1903 (Foster is also famous for being the only man to captain England at football and cricket).

Taylor goes into today's play level with England's Alastair Cook, who hit an unbeaten 235 at Brisbane in 2010. Only Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Walter Hammond remain ahead of Taylor. The highest test total in Australia is by Matthew Hayden, who hit 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth.

There has also been discussion around the benign conditions, The Australian running a headline: Batsmen living in a nanny state.

Under that, Peter Lalor wrote "don't blame Mitchell Johnson if he retires at the end of this test match...(batsman are) armed with bigger bats, better protective gear and given pitches where everyone wins a prize".

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