Australia collapse to 467 after Head century

Melbourne, Dec 27 (AFP/APP): New Zealand snatched five quick wickets to bowl out Australia for 467 on day two of the second Test in Melbourne Friday, with Travis Head top-scoring with 114. The home team went to tea at 431 for five and seemingly in charge, but the momentum dramatically shifted as they collapsed within nine overs of the restart. The visitors need to win to square the three-match series after crashing by 296 runs in the opening day-night clash in Perth. Skipper Tim Paine was out for 79 seven balls after tea, with Mitchell Starc gone soon after for one. Head, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon rapidly followed with Neil Wagner (4-83) and Tim Southee (3-103) doing the damage. Australia had started the day at 257 for four with Steve Smith on 77 and Head not out 25. Head came into the match under pressure after a lean spell, but silenced his critics with only his second Test century. The middle-order batsman reached three figures off 222 balls, raising his arms and looking to the sky as he celebrated. It was a patient innings from the 25-year-old, who made his debut against Pakistan last year and scored his only … Continue reading Australia collapse to 467 after Head century