Australia remain in control of second Test

Australia remain in control of the second Test against New Zealand after taking late wickets on day three in Christchurch.

New Zealand had dismissed Australia for 505 in reply to their first innings of 370, giving the tourists a lead of 135 runs as the Black Caps went in to bat.

The hosts managed to chip away at their opponents’ advantage but were 121-4 at stumps, with Australia still holding a 14-run lead following some superb bowling on a flat pitch.

James Pattinson (3-29) was in fine form for Australia as he was able to take the wickets of Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls.

Captain Brendon McCullum (25) was also dismissed for one last time in characteristic fashion for the last wicket of the day.

The veteran had just hit Josh Hazlewood (1-40) for six when he fell next ball attempting to attack once again, caught brilliantly by a diving David Warner at mid-wicket.

Guptill (0) was the first to go in just the fourth over of the second innings after being caught by Peter Nevill off Pattinson, before Latham (39) went in the same fashion after tea.

The Black Caps made six more runs before Nicholls (2) was caught by Australia captain Steve Smith off Pattinson just two overs later.

McCullum was unable to repeat his opening-day heroics, with Kane Williamson (45 not out) and Corey Anderson (9 not out) set to start day four at the crease.

However, things could have been a lot worse if not for some career-best Test figures from Neil Wagner (6-106).

Australia began the day at 363-4 but the left-armer crashed through their middle and lower order to stop them extending their lead even further.

Adam Voges (60) and Nathan Lyon (33) were on their way to further demoralising New Zealand, but after the tourists added 92 runs in the first session, the Black Caps hit back after lunch, inflicting a collapse of 41-5.