Kane Williamson might be the person who can make the difference between a comfortable Australian win in the second cricket test against New Zealand, in Christchurch, and a match situation that could tip the scales either way, according to both sides.
Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum in Christchurch 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Williamson is on 45 not out heading into the fourth day, with Corey Anderson on nine and the hosts 121 for four, still 14 runs away from making Australia bat again.
Williamson, 25, has looked out of sorts throughout the series against a disciplined attacking Australia, who have strangled his scoring options and bowled a nagging off-stump line.
The right hander, however, could also anchor a fightback for the hosts as they try to post a target their bowlers can defend at Hagley Oval, with wicketkeeper BJ Watling expecting him to build on his innings today while others helped.
"We've definitely got a few players in the shed left to try and get a total for us," Watling said. "It's obviously great that Kane's still there and Corey coming off a good first-innings total.
"We're definitely backing what we have left to put a total on the board. However many that is, we're just going to have to come out with the ball and try and win it."
Australia batsman Adam Voges said Williamson would be a "huge" wicket for them to take on day four, though they were also pleased that Josh Hazlewood had sent New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum into retirement already.
The 34-year-old McCullum, who scored the world's fastest century on the first day off 54 balls, belted a six off Hazlewood over square leg to move to 25 then was dismissed on the next.
"It was a good time to obviously get him out," Voges said. "He is a dangerous player and we're certainly happy to see the back of him in his final game."
Voges also praised fast bowler James Pattinson, whose three wickets have given them the advantage, particularly in the way he had bounced back after a first innings no-ball that cost them McCullum's wicket at 39 before the batsman went on to blast 145.
"The coach didn't miss him after play on day one and that's probably putting it nicely. He got a rocket ... and he probably didn't disagree with what the coach said," Voges said.
"But full credit to Patto with the way he has bounced back ...he ran in really hard and bowled aggressively with good pace.
"To come back from the disappointment of the no ball in the first innings and to produce that today is a terrific effort."
-Reuters
