Second Test in Hamilton…
fastest Test ton by a NZ batsman
ROSS Taylor hit the fastest Test century by a New Zealander but the hosts were left ruing a missed opportunity as Australia inched back into the lead on the second day of the second Test in Hamilton.
New Zealand began the day in a position of some dominance having bowled the tourists out for just 231 yesterday and Taylor did his best to ram home the advantage by reaching three figures off 81 balls, eventually falling for 138.
Only opener BJ Watling (46) could provide any real support, though, as Mitchell Johnson claimed four wickets to help dismiss the Black Caps for 264. By the close, which came early due to bad light, Australia were 35 without loss – a lead of two.
New Zealand, looking to square the two-match series, started the day on 19 for one after a magnificent first day with the ball when skipper Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee each picked up four wickets.
With all the pressure on New Zealand to capitalise on a near-perfect opening day, Matthew Sinclair and Watling looked solid until Johnson made the breakthrough. Sinclair (11) was looking comfortable until a superb inswinging delivery from Johnson found an inside edge and smashed into his off stump.
Taylor then entered the game and quickly notched his half-century before Doug Bollinger ended what was shaping to be a big partnership when he bowled Watling for 46, leaving New Zealand looking a little more vulnerable on 114 for three.
After Martin Guptill (four) and Vettori (15) both lost soft wickets around lunch, the pressure was all on Taylor and Brendon McCullum to at least reach the Australian total.
Shane Watson dropped Taylor on 90 in the slips, the third time he had been dropped in his innings. The luck was just what Taylor needed as he soon claimed his fifth Test match century off 81 balls with 17 fours and one six.
Johnson made another huge breakthrough for Australia when he claimed McCullum’s wicket for five and after Jeetan Patel was caught by Ricky Ponting for seven, Taylor’s luck finally ran out when he was given out after a referral on 138, his highest score against Australia. He’d earlier bludgeoned 25 off a single Nathan Hauritz over.
Southee hit a lusty unbeaten 22 to pad New Zealand’s lead a little with Chris Martin, the last man to fall, bowled by Ryan Harris for a duck. Johnson claimed four for 59, while Bollinger and Harris took three wickets apiece.
Australia progressed steadily after tea and Watson had reached 28 by the time bad light forced the players off the field. (Eurosport).

AUSTRALIA first innings 231; S.Katich 88. D.Vettori 4-36, T. Southee 4-61
New Zealand first innings o/n 19 for one
T.McIntosh b Bollinger    4
B. Watling b Bollinger       46
M. Sinclair b Johnson      11
R. Taylor c (wkpr) Haddin b Bollinger 138
M. Guptill c Ponting b Harris    4
D. Vettori  c Haddin b Harris             15
B.McCullum c Ponting b Johnson     5
J. Patel c Ponting b Johnson        7
T. Southee   not out                       22
B. Arnel c Haddin  b Johnson     7
C. Martin  b Harris                     0
Extras: (w-1, nb-4)                      5
Total: (all out 63.3 overs)          264
Fall of wickets: 1-4., 2-30, 3-114, 4-143, 5-167, 6-193, 7-234, 8-236, 9-263, 10-264.
Bowling: D. Bollinger 14-3-57-3 (nb-2), R. Harris 15.3-3-50-3 (1nb, 1w), M. Johnson 16-2-59-4, N. Hauritz 13-1-68-0, S.Watson 5-1-30-0..

AUSTRALIA second innings
S. Watson  not out               28
S. Katich  not out 6
Extras (nb1)                           1
Total (0wickets; 14 overs)        35
Bowling: C. Martin 4-0-15-0 (1nb), T. Southee 2-1-4-0, B. Arnel 5-1-14-0, D. Vettori 3-1-2-0.