Red-hot Ross Taylor leads Black Caps’ response against Australia

Kane Williamson also played a big part making 166 and putting on 265 for the third wicket for Taylor.

Although the second Test had become something of a run-fest, there were more than a few challenges to overcome in such a long innings, not least the searing Perth heat.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand foiled Australian opener David Warner’s bid to break more batting records when it removed him for 253, caught in slips off paceman Trent Boult. That faith was rewarded with New Zealand adding 70 runs for the final two wickets as Southee (21) and Boult (23 not out) confirmed that batting was a cakewalk on the flattest deck imaginable. Taylor faced 374 balls and hit 43 boundaries. Taylor’s master class was the highest score ever by an overseas player in Australia, surpassing Reginald “Tip” Foster’s near 112-year record of 287. But if they get a sniff of a chance, Brendon McCullum’s mantra is to go for it so there may be one more twist to come in this match.

Taylor punished Australian bowler Mitchell Starc’s wide delivery for four to bring up 250.

Anything but an Australian victory and unassailable 2-0 series lead looked highly unlikely after the hosts racked up 416-2 on the opening day on their way to 559-9 declared.

Starc accounted for BJ Watling (1), who cut a full toss straight to point before a splendid cover drive off Starc in the 111th over took Taylor to his second Test double century. Only McCullum’s 302 against India and Martin Crowe’s 299 against Sri Lanka, both in Wellington, sit above Taylor’s 290 on the all-time list of highest scores for New Zealand.

The left-hander strained his left hamstring in the field during the second Test against New Zealand and admitted it was a tough blow, having been plagued by hamstring and knee problems in recent years.

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor has said that he wouldn’t be surprised if one of the most fearsome bowlers in the world Mitchell Johnson announces retirement after the ongoing second Test in Perth.

Back in the summer of 2013, Warner was in disgrace and had been demoted from Australia’s Test squad and one-day side after he had punched England batsman Joe Root in a bar in Birmingham following his country’s Champions Trophy defeat at Edgbaston.

Mitchell Starc, clocked at 160.4km/h on day three – the fastest delivery recorded in Test history – continued to be Australia’s standout.