Australia on the verge of victory

Opener Simon Katich shone with the bat as he slammed an unbeaten 131 to put Australia on the path towards victory against New Zealand on the third day of the five-day Trans-Tasman Trophy at the Gabba on Saturday.

With a stiff target of 327 ahead of them, the Kiwis struggled to find a foothold against the Aussie pace attack and lost wickets at regular intervals. However, middle-order batsman Ross Taylor held the fort at one end and scored an attacking 67 not out.

At one stage the visitors were tottering at 49 for 4, till the fifth wicket pair of Taylor and Daniel Flynn rescued them by putting up an 84-run partnership. The pair looked good till a superb delivery from Mitchell Johnson clean bowled Flynn for 29.

Brett Lee was the most expensive bowler of the lot giving away 53 runs in just 9 overs but there was some joy for him as he joined the 300-wicket-club by dismissing opener James How for a duck, his only wicket in the second innings.

Earlier, overnight batsman Katich, despite no support at the other end, was in his elements and batted superbly to guide Australia into a commanding position. He along with Mitchell Johnson put up a ninth wicket partnership for 53 runs before being bundled out for 268.

Brief score: Australia 214 & 268 all out in 81.2 overs (S Katich 131, M Johnson 31; C Martin 3-69) vs New Zealand 156 & 143 for 6 in 44 overs (R Taylor 67 n.o.; Stuart Clarke 3-23)