New Zealand openers survive after review controversy

Adelaide, November 28

New Zealand's openers survived to the dinner-break on day two of the third test on Saturday but the tourists were left fuming after a controversial review decision allowed Australia to overtake New Zealand's first innings total.

Australia resumed after tea on 116-8 but poached 108 runs from their final two wickets before being dismissed for 224, with New Zealand rattled after Nathan Lyon was reprieved in farcical circumstances.

Martin Guptill and Tom Latham were each on 10 not out, as New Zealand moved to 22 for no wicket at the break.

After 12 wickets fell on day one in test cricket's maiden day-night match, another eight fell in the first two sessions as the bowlers continued their domination with the pink ball.

New Zealand had scored only 202 in their first innings but  appeared assured of carrying a handy lead into the final session.

They appeared harshly done by, however, when a review for caught behind was turned down by third umpire Nigel Llong.

A Mitchell Santner ball ricocheted off Lyon's upper arm during an attempted sweep shot and the 'Hot spot' technology showed a mark on Lyon's bat.

But 'Snicko' showed no audio evidence of a nick and Llong deliberated at considerable length.

Adding to the theatre, Lyon began trudging off to the dressing room but paused halfway as Llong watched replays and pondered various camera angles.

As the deliberations dragged on, the crowd grew restless and jeered and the eventual not-out decision drew ironic cheers as well as boos.

The decision cost New Zealand their second and last review and triggered an astonishing momentum shift as Lyon and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill began to plunder the bowlers.

Lyon smashed Santner for 15 runs and a leg bye in one over, sweeping a four and a six, then another four behind square in three consecutive balls.

Nevill brought up a richly deserved half-century by punching Trent Boult for three through the covers before Lyon was caught by Kane Williamson in the slips off Boult, having scored 34 vital runs in a ninth-wicket stand of 74.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc, hobbling on a broken foot, came to the crease and was immediately dismissed lbw but successfully appealed it to add to New Zealand's pain.

He lingered to blast spinner Mark Craig for 20 runs, smashing two fours and two sixes over wide long on as Australia charged past New Zealand's first innings total.

New Zealand's agony finally ended when Santner dived forward for a fine catch in front of the deep cover boundary, removing Nevill for 66 off the bowling of Doug Bracewell.

The time eaten up in taking Australia's last two wickets pushed New Zealand's batsmen into the more perilous late session when the pink ball is expected to swing under the floodlights, having done so markedly on day one. — Reuters