New Zealand set Australia target of 279 to win second Test
Cricket
Hosts New Zealand were 345-6 at tea to lead by 251 after being 94 runs in arrears on first innings
CHRISTCHURCH (Reuters/AFP) – New Zealand were dismissed for 372 in their second innings after tea on the third day of the second Test against Australia in Christchurch on Sunday, setting the visitors a victory target of 279.
Rachin Ravindra hit the high score of 82 for the Black Caps before being caught behind off the bowling of Australia skipper Pat Cummins, who took 4-62.
The highest successful fourth-innings run chase in a test at Hagley Oval was the 285-8 New Zealand scored to beat Sri Lanka last year.
Australia lead the two-match series 1-0 after last week's victory in Wellington.
Earlier, hosts New Zealand were 345-6 at tea to lead by 251 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch after being 94 runs in arrears on the first innings.
Ravindra and Mitchell put on 123 for the fourth wicket before they fell in quick succession after the new ball was taken. Tom Blundell followed soon after.
Glenn Phillips and Scott Kuggeleijn then took up the charge, with Phillips not-out 16 and Kuggeleijn unbeaten on 38 from 36 deliveries.
The pitch has flattened out to make batting easier than it was on the first two days, but it still provided enough movement and bounce to suit Australia's aggressive attack.
Following the dismissal of Tom Latham early in the day, Mitchell was the first to go after lunch for 58.
He hit Josh Hazlewood for successive fours but then nicked a good-length delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Three overs later Pat Cummins came into the attack and Ravindra on 82 feathered the first ball to give Carey his ninth catch in the Test.
The ball was moving away and it was an out-of-character shot from Ravindra, who had displayed considerable patience until then in his 153-ball innings.
Blundell had a brief 11-ball stay for nine runs but was caught by Marnus Labuschagne off the first ball of Cameron Green's spell with the new ball.
New Zealand resumed the day at 134-2 but Latham could only add eight to his overnight 65 before he was caught behind off Cummins, who has 3-49.
The umpire's original call was not out and the Australians debated the decision for some time before seeking a review, which revealed a faint inside edge.
