New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson walks off after being given out following a  DRS (Decision Review System) verdict in Brisbane yesterday.

AFP/Brisbane


New Zealand’s hopes of stonewalling an Australian victory took a massive blow with the contentious dismissal of leading batsman Kane Williamson on a rain-hit fourth day in the first Gabba Test yesterday.
The accomplished Williamson took up where he left off after his 140 in the first innings to reach his 50 off 55 balls but fell to a marginal leg before wicket decision nearing tea.
The Black Caps were 142 for three off 53 overs chasing an improbable 504 runs for victory with Ross Taylor on 20 and skipper Brendan McCullum not out four when a combination of bad light and rain prevented any play after tea.
English umpire Richard Illingworth gave Williamson out after he was struck high on the back leg from spinner Nathan Lyon and the Kiwi batsman called for a review. Replays showed the ball clipping the very top of the bails and the umpire’s decision stood.
Williamson had looked up to the task and efficiently dissected the Australian field with his crisp strokeplay. The Australian bowlers were unable to get him to play a false stroke up until his dismissal.  
Rain twice intervened on the fourth day with no play after tea and there will be an earlier start to today’s final day’s play.
Much will hinge on McCullum and former captain Taylor to keep the Kiwis in the contest, but the Black Caps are still holding hopes of pulling off an astonishing victory.
“We’re in with a chance. That first hour in the first session is going to be crucial for us,” opening batsman Tom Latham said.
“Those two boys that are in at the moment can set a platform for us. It’s important Brendan goes out and plays his natural game.
“If he goes out and bats for an hour or two, we could certainly be a long way to winning the match.”
Lyon did not discount New Zealand’s remote chance of scoring 362 more runs to win, but said the winning odds were firmly in Australia’s favour.
“If we don’t bowl well and they get away they have two very dangerous batsmen at the crease, so it’s definitely a chance,” Lyon said.
“But I would like to say that the odds are more in Australia’s favour, that’s for sure. If we bowl well then we win this Test match. “McCullum’s a world-class player, he’s dangerous, but I love challenges and I am looking forward to it, so bring it on.”  New Zealand have scored the highest losing total in the fourth innings of a Test with 451 when chasing 550 against England at Christchurch in 2002.
New Zealand’s highest successful run chase was 324 against Pakistan in Christchurch in 1994.
The West Indies hold the Test record for a successful run chase of 418 against Australia in Antigua in 2003.
Martin Guptill gave two chances and survived a leg before wicket review, before he was caught at slip off Lyon for 23.
Guptill was dropped before he had scored and again on seven.
Joe Burns had two fumbles at short leg to catch Guptill off Mitchell Johnson before Lyon got his fingers to a hot chance above his head at point, again off Johnson.  Fellow opener Latham was dismissed in the morning session, leg before wicket to Mitchell Starc for 29.
Latham had looked assured and hooked Josh Hazlewood for six before he fell to Starc, only minutes before bad light stopped play.
Latham did not seek a referral after consulting with Guptill and television replays projected the delivery would have hit leg-stump.