Tough Start for New Zealand After Australia Declaration

Perth: New Zealand made a disastrous start to their first innings on the second day of the second Test at the WACA Ground on Saturday after Australia had set up a huge run chase.

Australia declared their first innings before tea at an imposing 559 for nine, and shortly afterwards New Zealand lost the wicket of opener Martin Guptill.

Guptill was trapped leg-before by Mitchell Starc for just one run, with the New Zealand score on six.

They were 140 for two at stump with Kane Williamson on 70 and Ross Taylor on 26, but still trailed the home side by 419 runs.

New Zealand foiled Australian opener David Warner's bid to break more batting records when they removed him for 253 early in the day, caught in slips off the bowling of Trent Boult.

Australia, ahead 1-0 in the three-match series after a 208-run win at the Gabba in Brisbane, had resumed at 416 for two, with Warner on 244 and eyeing Matthew Hayden's record WACA score of 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003.

However, he added just nine runs before some much-improved bowling from Boult had him edge the ball to Mark Craig.

It was the second-highest individual score at the WACA, behind only Hayden's massive knock against one of cricket's minnows.

Warner faced 286 balls and was at the crease for 409 minutes, hitting 24 boundaries and two sixes in an impressive stand that was the highest of his career and his first double-century at Test level.

Warner had helped Australia notch an opening day WACA record on Friday and posted the best Test haul in a single day by an Australian on home soil.

He also became the first batsman to score three Test centuries at the venue.

Australia captain Steve Smith had no such impact, making just 27 before he aimed a wild swing at Matt Henry (2-105) only to edge a catch to the wicketkeeper.

Having reached 512 for four on Saturday, Australia lost a string of cheap wickets after lunch with New Zealand spinner Craig (3-123) on a hat-trick at one stage.

Paceman Doug Bracewell (2-81) provided a rare moment of delight for the visitors when he took a brilliant catch on his follow-through to remove Mitchell Marsh for 34.

Brief scores
Australia - 9 for 559d (Warner 253, Khawaja 121, Craig 3-123)
New Zealand - 2 for 140 (Williamson 70)
Status - New Zealand trail by 419 runs

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