Australia’s Travis Head has departed early, dismissed by rival captain Tim Southee in a chaotic start to day four at Hagley Oval.
Mitchell Marsh slapped Southee’s first delivery of the day directly to point, with rising star Rachin Ravindra dropping the catch at point. However, the very next delivery, Head attempted a cut shot of his own, with Will Young swallowing the chance.
“That is dreadful batting from Travis Head,” former Black Caps wicketkeeper Ian Smith said on SEN commentary.
Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey was given out LBW while facing Matt Henry in 34th over, but the decision was successfully overturned on review. Not longer after, the Black Caps wasted a review on a non-existent caught behind chance against Carey.
Chasing 279 for an unlikely victory, Australia is currently 5-143.
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The start of day four was delayed by weather, with rain hitting Christchurch on Monday morning.
Australian star Nathan Lyon insists the tourists can still emerge victorious despite New Zealand requiring just six wickets for its first home Test win over their trans-Tasman rivals since 1993.
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The Aussies finished day three 4-77 at stumps and resumed play on day four with 202 runs required for victory at Hagley Oval.
I New Zealand are able to secure the six wickets needed, it would mark the Black Caps’ first home Test win against Australia in 11 matches, a run that has spanned 31 years.
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Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), Ben Sears
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