Scores at stumps Sunday on the second day of the second test between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval.
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And welcome to day three of this second Test between Australia and New Zealand.
After Australia resumed the day at 57-1, they added 306 for the loss of three wickets with Usman Khawaja the first to go.
What followed was leadership personified from Smith and desperate determination from Burns, who ended any lingering debate about his place in the XI.
Smith went to register his 14th test century after the break before he was eventually dismissed for 138, by Wagner.
Joe Burns pulls on his way to a third Test ton in Christchurch.
Until Smiths dismissal, the only moment of concern in his classy innings came when he was faced by a fearsome Wagner bouncer in the last over before tea.
After Brendon McCullums 145-run blitz gave New Zealand the first day honours on a green, seaming wicket, Burns and his captain Smith ensured the momentum swung Australias way as the pitch flattened out.
But it was old-school dominance, the sort of cricket lesson dished out so often during Steve Waugh’s successful reign as skipper.
At lunch Australia were 151/2 with Burns on 78 and Smith 37 in an unbroken 84-run partnership.
Both were caught by Martin Guptill at backward square leg off Neil Wagner as the policy of short-pitched bowling New Zealand had pursued for most of the day – and which resulted in Smith being dazed by a Wagner bouncer – finally bore fruit.
Both Voges and Lyon were up to the task, with rash strokes rare and the Black Caps barely able to beat the bat.
Boult had removed David Warner on the first day with a similar delivery.
Brendon McCullum’s world record had been that of the breathtaking daredevil, but the 289-run partnership between Smith and Joe Burns that stretched across the vast majority of play was something far sturdier, less explosion than construction.
Burns was earlier given out caught behind on 35 however instantly requested for a evaluate and tv replays confirmed the Matt Henry supply had brushed his forearm and never his gloves.
The Queenslander was in two minds about whether to play the short delivery. Total: (for 4 wkts, in 110 overs) 363.
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Pundits are already questioning the merits of NZ’s decision to omit tweaker Mark Craig but it’s arguable whether the offspinner would have made a difference.
