Burns, Labuschagne hand Oz 417-run lead

Perth, December 14

Marnus Labuschagne and Joe Burns notched half-centuries before New Zealand’s unflagging attack yielded late wickets, but Australia had built a near insurmountable lead of 417 by stumps on Day 3 of the first Test.

Australia reached the close at 167/6 with Matthew Wade on eight and Pat Cummins on one. New Zealand quicks Neil Wagner and Tim Southee shared the spoils with six wickets between them.

Australia suffered a late collapse but remain in a strong position. Burns (53) and Labuschagne did the bulk of the heavy lifting in an 87-run partnership. South Africa-born Labuschagne’s bid for a fourth straight Test century ended when he mistimed a pull short on 50 off Wagner, who persevered with aggressive short-pitched bowling.

Australia’s tactical approach to bat carefully and set New Zealand a big target was exemplified by Burns, who did not score until the 25th delivery he faced.

His patient knock, however, ended when he was undone by a searing short delivery from Southee. Steve Smith, who scored a massive 774 runs in the Ashes tournament in England this year, fell shortly before stumps for 16 to continue a recent barren run.

David Warner, who passed 7,000 Test runs, was Australia’s sole loss in the middle session after he miscued a pull shot off Southee on 19. His sluggish 63-ball innings was in contrast to his majestic unbeaten 335 in the last Test against Pakistan in Adelaide.

Even though they lost late wickets, Australia’s commanding performance gave them a stranglehold on the Day/Night contest. The hosts gained a sizeable 250-run first innings lead after bowling New Zealand out cheaply on the stroke of tea. New Zealand, in reply to Australia’s first innings 416, were dismissed for a tame 166 with veteran Ross Taylor playing a lone hand with 80. — Reuters

Brief Scores: Australia: 416 and 167/7 (Burns 53, Labuschagne 50; Southee 4/63); New Zealand: 166 (Taylor 80; Starc 5/52)