Australia vs New Zealand Test 2: Mitchell Starc fights back as Kiwis finish 5-109

Josh Hazlewood's series might be over, but Australia finished day two on a massive high after Mitchell Starc ripped through the New Zealand middle order to give the hosts a huge advantage.

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Josh Hazlewood’s series looks over after breaking down in the first Test, but a Mitchell Starc rampage and a spectacular Steve Smith catch has Australia eyeing pink ball glory in Perth.

On a night of high drama under lights, New Zealand were 2-2 when Hazlewood was forced off the field with a left hamstring injury, before another potentially game-turning moment came when Australia failed to review a nick behind from batting colossus Kane Williamson.

Smith heard the faintest of noises come off Williamson’s edge, but his teammates didn’t listen and his pleas fell literally on deaf ears in a missed chance that could have proved costly against one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era who was 13 at the time.

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Josh Hazlewood is consoled by teammate Mitchell Starc as he leaves the ground. Picture: Getty

However, just as it looked like Williamson was about to make Australia pay Smith struck again, this time with a stunning diving grab to his right at slip to send the Kiwi danger-man (34) packing off the bowling of Starc, who finished the night with 4-31.

Hazlewood went for scans last night but his Test and likely series is over, opening up the prospect that Victorian menace James Pattinson and debutant Michael Neser could be shooting for a Boxing Day Test call-up.

However, Australia’s immediate concern is fighting their way through the Test at hand with an undermanned bowling attack – a struggle laid bare by the fact former wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was thrown the ball to bowl at first change.

That was until the undisputed pink ball king Starc stepped up, tempting Williamson to fish, before nailing Henry Nicholls and Neil Wagner in successive balls. He missed the hat-trick, but New Zealand are in all sorts of trouble at 5-109, still 307 behind on the first innings, with Ross Taylor (66 not out) their only hope.

Despite the Hazlewood setback, Australia were comforted by runs on the board after contributions from Marnus Labuschagne (143), Travis Head (56), Tim Paine (39) and Mitchell Starc (30) helped post a compelling first innings total of 416.

Saturday still looms as a potentially trying day for Australia if they can’t remove Taylor and BJ Watling, with Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to largely go it alone in 40 degree heat with an ever-softening pink ball.

Ross Taylor is the major roadblock standing in between Australia and a mighty first innings lead. Picture: Getty

Starc is a first-over specialist against New Zealand – see Brendon McCullum in the famous 2015 World Cup final at the MCG – and the left-arm destroyer struck again as he removed opener Tom Latham for a duck.

Hazlewood hammered home the advantage five balls later when he clean bowled fellow opener Jeet Raval in spectacular fashion to leave the Blackcaps reeling at 2-1.

But that’s when the fortunates dramatically changed.

Hazlewood was just two balls into his second over when he pulled up gingerly from a delivery, clutching his left-hamstring.

The big fast bowler attempted to run-in again to test it out, but after a few strides he knew he was cooked and abandoned his approach to the crease midway down the runway.

Hazlewood – who missed the back half of last summer with a back injury, ultimately leading to him missing the World Cup – cut a shattered figure as he immediately left the field.

Every chance was going to be precious for Australia from that moment on – but when one of the world’s best batsmen nicked Cummins behind on the final ball of the the ninth over – only Smith heard it, with bowler and wicketkeeper and captain Tim Paine hearing nothing.

Smith’s sonar hearing has revealed itself in international cricket before, with Australia making a successful review during the 2015 World Cup based on the confidence of his appeal.

Paine has had a sorry year with DRS, getting roughly 20 referral decisions wrong, but on this occasion he wasn’t on his own in being left in the dark.

Hazlewood looked shattered as he immediately took his cap from the umpire and made his way off the field.

New Zealand are also a bowler down in the match after debutant Lockie Ferguson was forced to withdraw with a calf strain, however, unlike the Blackcaps, Australia don’t have access to a pace bowling all-rounder.

It’s possible an all-rounder like Moises Henriques might have to be considered for the MCG.

The injury blow hurt the Kiwis badly as Australia piled on 416 for their first innings over the course of a day and a half in extreme 40 degree heat.

Head made an important half century but was widely criticised by ex-Test greats Mark Waugh, Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting in commentary for throwing away another hundred and failing to lock down his place at No.6.

Originally published as Australia vs New Zealand Test 2: Mitchell Starc fights back as Kiwis finish 5-109