PERTH AFP: Australia was building a massive lead over New Zealand on the third day of the first Test at Perth Stadium on Saturday.
After the home side made 416 the Kiwis were dismissed for only 166 in their first innings as Australian paceman Mitchell Starc terrorised their batsmen in continued sweltering conditions.
The home side were 75 for one in their second innings, with Joe Burns on 32 and Marnus Labuschagne on 18 -- an overall lead of 325 with nine wickets still in hand and more than two days to play.
The Kiwis burned both their reviews early, unsuccessfully challenging not out decisions against David Warner (19) and Labuschagne.
Labuschagne, who made 143 in the first innings, was dropped on four by Colin de Grandhomme after skying a short ball from Neil Wagner into the leg side.
De Grandhomme made good ground back with the flight of the ball from square leg but couldn’t hang on to the chance.
Warner batted with unusual caution, until he was surprised by a short ball from Tim Southee and lobbed a catch to mid-on.
The visitors trailed by 250 runs on the first innings, but Australia didn’t enforce the follow-on given the extreme heat and the absence of front line paceman Josh Hazlewood due to injury.
Starc claimed 5-52 and troubled the New Zealanders with his pace and bounce.
Only Ross Taylor offered meaningful resistance with 80, but he was caught at slip by Steve Smith off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.