Australia close to winning the first test by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	Australia v New Zealand
Player:	SM Katich, BJ Haddin, B Lee, MG Johnson, SR Clark, JM How, LRPL Taylor, DL Vettori, DR Flynn, GD Elliott
Event:	New Zealand in Australia 2008/09

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DateLine: 22nd November 2008

 

Simon Katich carried his bat through to score a brilliant hundred and put Australia in command at the end of third day against New Zealand here in Brisbane. Staring the day at 131 for 6 with a lead of 189,Australia were all out for 268 setting New Zealand a target of 327. Katich was unbeaten on 131. New Zealand replied with 143 for 6 at stumps with Ross Taylor unbeaten on 67.

Earlier in the day Starting at his overnight score of 67 Katich went on to score a brilliant hundred. He lost his overnight partner Brad Haddin cleaned up by Daniel Vettori and the same happened with Brett Lee as well. At that point of time the match was evenly balanced. Australia still did not have a lead of 250. But Simon Katich managed to graft and ended up with a brilliant hundred. He along with Mitchell Johnson managed to get a sizeable lead for Australia with their half century stand. They went to get bowled out for 268 with an overall lead of 326.Katich's brilliant unbeaten 131 saved Australia the blushes.

Set a target of 327 New Zealand were rocked early. How was out of the very first ball giving Lee his 300th test wicket.Ricky Ponting took the catch at second slip.Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clarke struck twice to leave New Zealand at tatters at 49 for 4. Flynn and Taylor put a partnership of 84 before Flynn was cleaned up by Johnson. Clarke struck of the last ball cleaning up Elliott.

With Vettori to come and Taylor at the crease New Zealand only can hope for only a miracle tomorrow. They are 184 runs behind with 4 wickets remaining. Australia would want to go for the kill early on tomorrow to start the home season on a strong note.