New Zealand vs Australia 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights: Tom Latham, Kane Williamson Hit 50s As New Zealand Take 40-Run Lead Over Australia

We are back with the run-chase to begin here at the Hagley Oval! The umpires make their way out to the middle and are followed by New Zealand players who take their respective fielding positions. Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja are the two openers for Australia. Tim Southee, the Kiwi skipper has the new ball and is all in readiness to begin the proceedings. Let's play...

...Fourth Innings...

Right then, Australia require 279 runs to win and complete a whitewash against New Zealand, with plenty of time at their disposal to achieve this target. New Zealand will be disappointed with the manner in which their batting faltered after showing some resilience. Their bowlers will be eager to secure more than a couple of wickets by the end of the third day's play. The Australian openers will be focused on building a strong opening partnership, a facet they have struggled with in this series. The run-chase is about to commence shortly. Stay tuned.

Australia encountered difficulty in claiming wickets after removing Young early in the innings. They endured a lengthy period before Pat Cummins managed to dismiss Williamson, subsequently securing an impressive 4-wicket haul. Nathan Lyon, although introduced relatively late into the bowling attack, made sure the tailenders didn't linger, claiming a crucial 3-wicket haul. They employed a short ball ploy to trouble the Kiwi batters in the second session. However, they didn't get much out of it and also leaked runs dramatically. Josh Hazlewood maintained disciplined lines and lengths, contributing with a solitary wicket by dismissing Daryl Mitchell. The innings witnessed fluctuating fortunes with partnerships flourishing after each wicket. Nevertheless, the Australian bowlers efficiently dismantled the tailenders, limiting the lead to 278 runs by conceding only 23 runs and claiming 4 wickets before the innings concluded.

The Kiwi innings concluded much more rapidly than anticipated following the flurry of wickets towards the backend, with New Zealand's innings wrapping up for a total of 372 runs. However, thanks to aggressive batting by the lower order, they managed to accumulate quick runs. New Zealand suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Will Young, but Tom Latham and Kane Williamson stabilized the innings with an impressive 105-run partnership. Williamson departed after scoring 51, followed by Rachin Ravindra, who contributed a solid 44-run partnership with Tom Latham before Latham was dismissed for a well-compiled 73. Daryl Mitchell maintained the momentum for New Zealand, showing initial caution before accelerating his scoring. Rachin Ravindra also held his ground, crafting a remarkable 82 runs and narrowly missing out on a century by eighteen runs. Following a resilient partnership of 123, New Zealand experienced a swift collapse after Mitchell's departure for 58. However, every batsman who came to the crease ensured quick scoring. Scott Kuggeleijn added a pivotal 44, while Matt Henry's 16 contributed to New Zealand's total of 372 runs on the scoreboard. However, the hosts won't be happy enough as they fell like a pack of cards in the backend.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Nathan Lyon wraps things up with his third wicket in no time. He tosses it up, full and around middle, Scott Kuggeleijn skips down the track to slog it away but gets more elevation than distance, the ball flies high in the air towards deep mid-wicket where Cameron Green settles under it and takes a fine catch. New Zealand have been bowled out for 372 runs and the target for Australia will be 279!

Flatter, short and on off, Scott Kuggeleijn stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

Pat Cummins comes around the wicket and hits the length hard, on leg, angling away, Ben Sears misses his flick and gets hit high on the body.

A bouncer now, on middle, Ben Sears ducks under it.

Fuller one and on off, Ben Sears pushes it towards covers.

This is on a good length and on middle, Ben Sears leaves it on length as the ball goes over the stumps to the keeper.

Ben Sears is the last man in for New Zealand.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Pat Cummins gets his fourth now! He sends the back the opposition skipper for a duck here. He follows the batter and bangs this into the pitch hard, angling in sharply, Tim Southee backs away and looks for the ramp but gets cramped up as the ball takes his gloves and pops in the air behind, Alex Carey dives forward and takes his 10th catch of this Test. A record for Australia. New Zealand leads by 278 runs with only one wicket in hand.

Fuller one and on middle, Scott Kuggeleijn knocks it towards mid on for a single.

Short and on middle, Tim Southee pushes it back to the bowler.

Looped up, full and on off, Tim Southee dead-bats it.

Tim Southee, the skipper of New Zealand walks in at number 10.

OUT! TAKEN! Nathan Lyon strikes again! Matt Henry tries to take on the off-spinner here but holes out instead. This is flighted, full and on middle, turns in a bit, Matt Henry goes for the lofted shot but fails to get under it fully and hits it much straighter towards long on, Josh Hazlewood moves to his right and pouches it safely. Henry goes back after a quick little cameo and the Kiwis are eight down now!

Quicker, short and on middle, Scott Kuggeleijn moves back and clips it through square leg for a single.

Floated, full and on off, Scott Kuggeleijn guides it towards point.