Cricket: Hughes, Warner Put Australia in Box Seat Heading into Day 4

Australia are once again in the box seat in the second test against New Zealand after an unbeaten 72-run opening partnership has left them needing just 169 runs to win with two days to play.

It was New Zealand, however, that entered the day looking to have the upperhand, resuming at 139/3 with Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson both looking good when play ended the night before.

But the ascendancy soon changed, as Williamson found an edge off just his third ball that would mark the beginning of a collapse that saw the Black Caps fall into strife.

Taylor and Dean Brownlie both hung around and gave gritty performances before both falling, and some hard hitting from tailenders Tim Southee and Trent Boult gave New Zealand some crucial runs. But they were to only manage 226 before being bowled out and the question remained, would this be enough?

It seemed the start of another typical New Zealand performance—self destructing after putting themselves into a winning position. True, the wicket hadn't been friendly to batsmen, but one would expect more than 87 runs after the position they had themselves in overnight. 

The pick of the Australian bowlers was Peter Siddle and James Pattinson, both of whom grabbed three scalps, including the crucial ones of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor early in the day.

Needing 241 to win, the game was still in the balance and when rain began to fall over the lunch break, it seemed New Zealand had the advantage.

But it was the Australian opening pair of Philip Hughes and David Warner that would prove to be the dominant force in the afternoon session, putting on 72 runs in just 19 overs. 

New Zealand's only chance came early when an appeal to have Hughes caught behind after attempting a leg glance was denied. They chose not to challenge, but subsequent replays showed that if they had, Hughes would have indeed been given out. This would be a telling blow in the match, as Hughes dug in fought his way through to a gritty 20. 

Meanwhile Warner was putting on a clinic, scoring 47 runs off just 50 balls. He looked in good touch, playing a handful of textbook drives that the New Zealand bowlers struggled to answer to.

Australia now require 169 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand. With two days to play, one would have to expect this would be a very achievable target. Don't take it as a given, though. This game has had plenty of twists and turns and it would be foolish to write off the New Zealanders.

However, with plenty of experience to come, Australia will definitely enter Day 4 as favourites to close the game out a day early.