Australia take commanding lead in second Test

Wellington: Simon Katich crafted a patient century to help Australia take a commanding lead of over 300 runs against New Zealand on the third day of their second Test Monday.

The total might already be enough for Australia, who are chasing a 2-0 clean-sweep, but Ricky Ponting will be in no rush to declare given there is so much time left and the forecast is for more sunshine. A pitch offering less spin and tricks than expected will also delay the closure and New Zealand will pray for a massive innings to save or level the conTest.

There were two phases when the hosts were in with a chance, but once Tim Southee broke through twice in the morning, Katich and Michael Hussey crept ahead during a 155-run partnership.

Both men fell to Brent Arnel after tea, when the lead was just over 200, before Michael Clarke (42) and Marcus North (42) lifted the pace to power further ahead.

Katich held the innings together over the first two-thirds of the day to ensure there were no terminal wobbles during the most crucial segment of the Test.

Australia began the morning with a two-run advantage and Katich really wanted to bat till stumps. He was rarely put off as he played within himself during his 279-ball occupation, which included 12 fours, but when he exited Clarke and North quickly pressed forward.

Clarke was strong off the back foot and he also played some strong drives during an upbeat conclusion, while North, who hit seven fours and a six, was happy to attack Daniel Vettori.

It was a bright conclusion to a day in which most of the runs came slowly. After a cautious and considered opening, Katich found his first boundary from his 138th delivery, when he drove an over-pitched offering from Vettori through cover.

Katich brought up his half-century in the over after lunch with a clip behind square off Southee and backed up with another boundary through gully.

Cracking shots

There were more lulls and then a couple of crashing shots, including two lofted fours over the offspinner Jeetan Patel, while two strong strikes off Chris Martin with the new ball took Katich into the 90s.

A risky cut for four off Martin saw him moving to 99 and the hundred was sealed in the second-last over before tea with a cover drive.

He allowed himself a satisfied smile for his second century of a consistent summer, which has also contained a string of scores between 79 and 99.

The tea interval disrupted Katich's concentration and he followed Hussey in an almost carbon copy of his dismissal. Both batsmen nibbled at Arnel, who was coming around the wicket, and their fine edges went to Brendon McCullum.