Perth, Australia: In-form batsman Kane Williamson carried New Zealand hopes with another fighting half-century at stumps on the second day of the second Test at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
After Australia had declared their first innings at 559 for nine, New Zealand were 140 for two in reply on a sedate pitch.
Williamson was unbeaten on 70, with Ross Taylor on 26 not out, the pair having added 53 runs but the Kiwis still trailing by 419 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Put in to bat around 40 minutes before tea, the Kiwis lost both their openers.
Martin Guptill was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc for just one when the score was six.
Tom Latham again looked solid in making 36, but Australian captain Steve Smith was rewarded for his decision to bring off-spinner Nathan Lyon back into the attack.
Lyon removed Latham in his first over after tea with Smith taking a sharp catch low to his left.
Williamson again looked in total control after scoring 140 and 59 in Brisbane, and his only moments of concern came when his concentration appeared to waver during a short spell by all-rounder Mitchell Marsh provoking him to play a couple of false shots.
AFP
