The rate at which wickets were falling, with the tail exposed, it seemed that New Zealand’s second innings would fold soon.
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They steered the score to 197-4 at lunch before both fell in similar circumstances, playing on to Jackson Bird.
With Williamson on 88, and with six balls left till the batsmen could retreat into the lunch break, Hazlewood got him to tumble over and fall on the pitch with a vicious yorker. Hazlewood was caught on stump microphones saying “who the f.k is the third umpire”, while Smith was heard using a swear word to Martinesz.
New Zealand had begun the day on 121 for four, 14 runs in arrears of Australia’s 505, but stubborn resistance from Williamson, Corey Anderson (40) and the lower order ensured they posted a target that could be competitive if not overly challenging on a good batting surface.
During the morning session Williamson also brought up his 4000th test run becoming the fastest New Zealander to the milestone, taking 89 innings compared to Martin Crowe’s 93 innings.
The Black Caps needed some luck along the way and got it early in the day, thanks to the DRS and some surprising fielding lapses from the tourists. Hazlewood, before returning to his run-up, confronted umpire Martinesz, “What!?”
Williamson was given out when struck in front from a Josh Hazlewood delivery on 54 but immediately asked for a review and replays showed he got a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Then Anderson survived an Australian challenge on 17 when umpire Richard Kettleborough gave him not out to an lbw shout by James Pattinson.
Anderson got out by getting an inside edge to an away going delivery and disturbing the stumps.
Three balls later, Anderson had a life when he drove Pattinson straight to Mitchell Marsh in the gully but the fielder was unable to grasp the head-high opportunity. By the standard set in this match, including Marsh’s own unrewarded catch off a no-ball on day one, it was a bad miss.
Williamson was a lot more sedate but invaluable for his team with BJ Watling the only other recognised batsman remaining.
Kane Williamson was looming as the difference between a comfortable Australian win in the second test against New Zealand and a match situation that could tip the scales either way, according to both sides.
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He reached his 19th test half-century off 117 balls and had a slice of luck, too, when he guided one firmly through Joe Burns’ hands at short leg, a very tough chance.
