Second Test day two LIVE: Labuschagne puts Australia ahead
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Carey out to dreadful sweep shot
Alex Carey’s obsession with sweeping gifted New Zealand his wicket with Australia just 27 ahead. Facing off-spinner Glenn Phillips, Carey was 14 when he attempted a premeditated sweep to his second ball as it turned across the left-hander, lobbing a simple catch to Tom Latham at mid-wicket.
Daniel Brettig’s view of the first hour
Sixty runs for Australia in the first hour as Marnus Labschagne continued to provide the spine of the innings. The tourists were helped when Daryl Mitchell dropped Nathan Lyon early on, allowing the nightwatcher to contribute to a pesky half-century stand with a proactive Labuschagne.
Mitchell Marsh’s second consecutive duck, out lbw on review as Tim Southee gambled his side’s last referral, was a significant hiccup for Australia, and Matt Henry fully deserved his five wickets. But Alex Carey got through his first few balls, and Labuschagne is playing with growing confidence.
Australia lead by 22 at drinks
Australia have a narrow lead with four wickets in hand during the first drinks break on day two. Australia have lost two wickets in the first hour but Marnus Labuschagne has looked comfortable moving from 45 to 74.
Marsh out again without scoring
Mitchell Marsh has made his second successive duck, lbw on review to Matt Henry, leaving Australia 6/166, a lead of just four. Marsh was out first ball during the second innings of the first Test.
It was a brave review by New Zealand captain Tim Southee, who had already unsuccessfully used two reviews and would have had none for the remainder of Australia’s innings if this one was denied. It Henry his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Labuschagne makes highest score in eight months
A lovely cut shot from Marnus Labuschagne behind point has given Australia’s No.3 his highest score in 15 inning going back to the Ashes touring in July last year. It also gave Australia the lead, passing New Zealand’s first innings total of 162. When he reached 64 Labuschagne passed the 63 he made during the Boxing Day Test.
Lyon goes after 50 partnership
Nathan Lyon is the first wicket to go on day two, caught by Daryl Mitchell at first slip off Matt Henry slashing at a length ball. Lyon scored 20 from just 27 deliveries in a 50 partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, making Mitchell and the Kiwis pay for a drop at first slip during the second over of the day. It left Australia trailing by just four runs.
News from Daniel Brettig
As previously flagged, Scott Boland has flown home this morning in order to get home in time for Victoria’s Sheffield Shield game on Monday. Michael Neser and Matt Renshaw stay on as reserves/concussion substitutes.
Labuschagne brings up his 50
Marnus Labuschagne has brought up his first half-century in two months with a lovely on drive from Matt Henry. It was the first time he had reached 50 in seven innings.
New Zealand drop Lyon in second over of the day
Nathan Lyon has been dropped three balls into the second over of the day slashing at a delivery from New Zealand captain Tim Southee. Daryl Mitchell leap high at first slip and got both hands on the ball but it burst through for two runs.
There was salt rubbed into the wound when Lyon skewed the next ball behind point to the boundary then played a lovely cover drive for the same result.
New Zealand burn a review early on day two
New Zealand have wasted a review in the first over after Marnus Labuschagne walked down the pitch to Matt Henry bowling the first over of day two.
Impacted looked outside the line and a batsman cannot be lbw on review if he is more than three metres in front of the stumps. The review was denied on both counts.
Labuschagne clipped the next ball through square leg to the boundary.
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