After a bad batting in the first innings, the New Zealand team made a great comeback in the second innings. The team collected only 162 runs in the first innings. I thought it was not possible for New Zealand to win this match. But in the second innings every player of New Zealand is batting brilliantly. The New Zealand team has already managed to collect 345 runs by losing 6 wickets.
- Tom Latham (73)
- Kane Williamson (51)
- Rachin Ravindra (82)
- Daryl Mitchell (58)
Scott Kuggeleijn was also unbeaten on 38 off 36 balls, and Phillips scored 16 off 45 balls.
The New Zealand team has managed to take a big lead of 251 runs. Batting against such a big target on this pitch in the last innings is much more difficult to win. New Zealand will likely deliver 300+ targets today. At the moment England has more chances to win the match.
New Zealand could not give a target of more than 300 runs. New Zealand amassed 372 runs in the second innings and a descent of 279 runs provided a target. Australian bowlers did not bowl well. Pat Cummins took 4 wickets and Nathan Lyn 3 wickets. Hazlewood, who bowled brilliantly in the first innings, managed to pick up just one wicket in the second innings.
I agree with you that it becomes much more difficult for the batsmen to make big collections in the last innings on this pitch. Gradually the pitch became completely bowling friendly. Batting on a target of 279 runs, it is challenging for Australia to win. And Australia has already lost two wickets. Australia lost the two important wickets of Smith and Labuschagne to collect only 22 runs.
The Australian team is batting at a big target. But their top-order batsmen failed to get off to a good start. I would say that New Zealand have the highest chances of winning this match right now.
At the end of the third day, the Australian batsmen managed to collect only 77 runs and lost four wickets. Smith, Usman Khawaja, Green and Labuschagne have already returned to the dressing room. Australia need to collect 202 more runs to win. It is difficult to score 202 runs on the fourth day on this pitch. At the same time, Australia's top-order batsmen have failed to perform well.
After facing a batting defeat in the first innings, New Zealand made a great comeback in the second innings. It was unthinkable that New Zealand would score so many runs in the second innings. However, the New Zealand batsmen batted responsibly and managed to set up a big target. New Zealand can win the match only if the bowlers bowl some controlled bowling.