UPDATE - New Zealand's hopes of preventing a series whitewash look weather-dependent after their improbable chase for a world record 464 to win the second cricket test started dismally at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide today.
New Zealand had slumped to 36 for four at tea, the batsmen playing with the
aura of a condemned man heading to the gallows as Australia practically go through the motions to inflict a second demoralising defeat in the Trans-Tasman Trophy series.
Mathew Sinclair and Stephen Fleming had packed their bats away for next week's Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series before 10 overs had elapsed, to leave the Black Caps in typically dire straits at 18 for two.
Sinclair fell to the last ball of the fourth over when he was trapped in front by Jason Gillespie for two, his only runs in three innings since a morale-boosting 69 in the first test at the Gabba.
Glenn McGrath then snared the pivotal wicket of Stephen Fleming for three, the skipper looking doleful as a ball he sought to leave brushed his thigh --- and the off bail -- while the paceman was appealing for leg before wicket.
Worse was to follow as Australia claimed two wickets in successive balls to leave New Zealand looking skywards for predicted rain as the scoreboard read 34 for four.
Michael Kasprowicz removed an uncomfortable Mark Richardson for a 63-ball 16, then Shane Warne, who was mercilessly baited by a small band of New Zealand supporters positioned on the hill, shushed the hecklers by having Scott Styris caught at slip by Michael Clarke for eight -- for a second time.
The combination also had Styris in Warne's previous over but West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor missed a definite edge on to the New Zealander's pad.
Nathan Astle (0) and Jacob Oram (1) have the onerous task of trying to take the match into a fifth day tomorrow.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting set the huge target 15 minutes after lunch when he declared the world champions' second innings closed at 135 for two.
Australia
First innings 575-8 dec
Second innings (57-0 overnight)
J Langer lbw b Wiseman 46
M Hayden c McCullum b Vettori 54
R Ponting not out 26
D Martyn not out 6
Extras (6lb, 1nb) 7
Total (for 2 wkts dec, 56 overs) 139
Fall: 93 (Langer), 119 (Hayden).
Bowling: C Martin 6-1-11-0, J Oram 5-1-17-0, J Franklin 5-0-18-0 (1nb), P Wiseman 22-3-52-1, D Vettori 18-2-33-1.
New Zealand
First innings 251
Second innings
(target 464)
M Richardson c Langer b Kasprowicz 16
M Sinclair lbw b Gillespie 2
S Fleming b McGrath 3
S Styris c Clarke b Warne 8
N Astle not out 0
J Oram not out 1
Extras (1b, 4lb, 1nb) 6
Total (for 4 wkts, 22 overs) 36
Fall: 11 (Sinclair), 18 (Fleming), 34 (Richardson), 34 (Styris)
Bowling: G McGrath 7-2-14-1-(1nb), J Gillespie 6-3-9-1, Michael Kasprowicz 5-3-5-1, S Warne 4-3-3-1.
- NZPA
Australia's Shane Warne (C) celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Scott Styris. Picture / Reuters
UPDATE - New Zealand's hopes of preventing a series whitewash look weather-dependent after their improbable chase for a world record 464 to win the second cricket test started dismally at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide today.
New Zealand had slumped to 36 for four at tea, the batsmen playing with the
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