Perth, Australia, Dec 15 (AFP/APP): Australia were closing in on victory Sunday against New Zealand on the fourth day of the first Test at Perth Stadium. The Kiwis were set a mammoth 468 to win — which would be a record chase in Test cricket — on a deteriorating pitch after Australia declared at 217 for nine in their second innings. The visitors struggled to 98 for five at tea, still needing another 370 runs with just five wickets in hand and their best two batsmen already back in the pavilion. Henry Nicholls (21) fell to the last ball before tea, caught off the back of his bat at short leg by Travis Head off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon (3-33). BJ Watling was on 20, having joined Nicholls at the wicket after Ross Taylor (22) and Tom Latham both fell with the score on 67. Taylor tried to pull a Mitchell Starc (2-32) delivery and got a bottom edge through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine to give the left-arm quick his seventh wicket of the match. Latham showed plenty of application to face 68 balls for his 18, but was given out leg before wicket to Lyon after an … Continue reading Australia close in on Test victory against New Zealand