PERTH, Dec 14: Australia was in a commanding position despite a late batting collapse on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand at Perth Stadium on Saturday.
Having led by 250 runs on the first innings, the home side were 167 for six at stumps, with Matthew Head on eight and Pat Cummins on one � an overall lead of 417.
Cruising at 131 for one when Marnus Labuschagne (50) and Joe Burns (53) were at the crease, the Australians lost five for 29 under lights later in the day against some spirited bowling from the Kiwis, with Tim Southee claiming 4-63.
SCORECARD
Australia 1st innings 416
New Zealand 1st innings: J Raval b Hazlewood 1, T Latham c and b Starc 0, K Williamson c Smith b Starc 34, R Taylor c Smith b Lyon 80, H Nicholls c Paine b Starc 7, N Wagner b Starc 0, BJ Watling b Cummins 8, C de Grandhomme c Smith b Starc 23, M Santner b Labuschagne 2, T Southee c sub (Neser) b Lyon 8. Extras: (b1, lb2) 3. Total (all out; 55.2 overs) 166. Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-77, 4-97, 5-97, 6-120, 7-147, 8-155, 9-166, 10-166. Bowling: Starc 18-2-52-5, Hazlewood 1.2-1-0-1, Cummins 14.4-3-46-1, Wade 2-0-8-0, Lyon 14.2-2-48-2, M Labuschagne 5-1-9-1. � AFP
Australia 2nd innings: D Warner c sub (Blundell) b Southee 19, J Burns c Nicholls b Southee 53, M Labuschagne c Santner b Wagner 50, S Smith c Raval b Wagner 16, M Wade not out 8, T Head c de Grandhomme b Southee 5, T Paine b Southee 0, P Cummins not out 1. Extras: (lb3, nb5, w7) 15. Total: (six wickets: 57 overs) 167. Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-131, 3-148, 4-154, 5-160, 6-160. Bowling: Southee 19-6-63-4, C de Grandhomme 13-2-26-0, Wagner 17-2-40-2, Santner 8-0-35-0. � AFP
