15 Nov 2015

Black Caps begin treacherous ascent

2:10 pm on 15 November 2015

The New Zealand men's cricket team has a mountain to climb after Australia declared its first innings on 559 for nine on day two of the second Test at Perth.

Look back at our commentary here

Kane Williamson, Brisbane, 2015.

Kane Williamson Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Black Caps' run chase got off to a bad start in the afternoon session when Martin Guptil was given out LBW off the bowling of Mitchell Starc for just one run.

His opening partner Tom Latham survived until tea, but was out for 36 soon after when he fiddled at one from the off spinner Nathan Lyon and was caught at slip.

At stumps, Kane Williamson was dug in on 70 and Ross Taylor unbeaten on 26.

New Zealand were 140 for two.

Seven Australians were also dismissed on Saturday at the WACA, before their captain Steve Smith signaled the change of innings.

The declaration followed 133 overs of often wayward bowling from the Black Caps.

New Zealand bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenas decried his players for failing to execute their plans on the opening day, but he should be pleased with their improved accuracy on day two.

The first wicket they captured was the opener David Warner, who only added nine runs to his overnight total before being caught in the slips off the bowling of Trent Boult for 253.

Smith was the next to go, caught behind off Matt Henry for 27.

Boult nicked out Adam Voges for 41, before Doug Bracewell had the all rounder Mitchell Marsh caught and bowled for 31.

Doug Bracewell

Doug Bracewell Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The off-spinner Mark Craig finally found some rhythm for the Black Caps, deceiving both Peter Nevill and Mitchell Johnson with flighted deliveries that brought about their stumpings in consecutive deliveries.

Craig also had a slogging Mitchell Starc caught in the deep by Tom Latham giving him a three wicket haul off 23 overs.

The spinner yielded 123 runs to the aggressive Australians as did Boult, who claimed two scalps from his 26 overs.

Bracewell was rewarded with two wickets for his efficiency, giving up just 81 runs from his 21 overs.

Henry also took two wickets in an innings in which eight of the Black Caps had a bowl, save the wicket keeper BJ Watling and the batsman Ross Taylor.

Southee was the most economical of the New Zealanders going for 88 runs from his 29 overs.

Meanwhile, Australian batsman Usman Khawaja re-injured his hamstring while fielding, and is in doubt for the rest of the Perth Test and the day-night Test in Adelaide later this month.