(REUTERS)-Australia took a big step towards victory when they removed dangerman Kane Williamson justbefore tea on the fourth day of the first test against New Zealand yestertday but the Brisbane weather prevented any furtherprogress.
Williamson’s departure for 59 helped to reduce New Zealand
to 142 for three at the break — 361 runs in arrears — but a
rain storm wiped out the final session and ensured the match
would go into a fifth day.
Ross Taylor, who has made 20 not out, and New Zealand
skipper Brendon McCullum (4) will resume today looking to
bat out the final day and save the Test.
Australia declared their second innings closed on 264-4
before the start of play on Sunday but home hopes of a quick win
to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series fell foul of a
combination of the weather and obdurate Black Caps batting.
New Zealand’s victory target of 504 was always a highly
improbable goal but anything looked possible while first-innings
centurion Williamson remained at the crease.
The 25-year-old, who scored 140 in the first innings, looked
to be heading comfortably for the break when Nathan Lyon took
his second wicket to make what could be a crucial breakthough.
Williamson attempted a pull shot but the spinner’s delivery
turned to hit his thigh and the third umpire confirmed the lbw
decision on review.
Lyon earlier broke a 54-run partnership between Williamson
and Martin Guptill when the opener got a thick edge which
skipper Steve Smith caught in the slips.
“I thought we bowled really well after lunch today, give New
Zealand credit they made us work hard,” Australia coach Darren
Lehmann told Channel Nine.
“Couple of key wickets for Nathan Lyon there so not a bad
day. We’d like to have a bit more cricket but you can’t control
the weather.”
Guptill’s 23 came from 133 balls in 186 minutes and he had
missed catches from Joe Burns and Lyon before lunch to thank for
lasting that long.
The other opener, Tom Latham, was the first batsman to fall,
making 29 from 71 balls before being trapped lbw by a Mitchell
Starc yorker with 44 runs on the board.
The breakthrough came minutes before drizzle and bad light
brought up an early and extended lunch break.
Mitchell Johnson’s first five overs were maidens and it was
not until the final ball of his sixth that he finally conceded
runs when Guptill clipped three off his pads through midwicket.
The hosts made 556 for four declared in their first innings
before dismissing New Zealand for 317 on day three at the Gabba.