Melbourne, Dec 27 (AFP/APP): Travis Head was unbeaten on 98 as he and skipper Tim Paine piled on runs to take the second Test away from New Zealand by tea on day two in Melbourne Friday. The Black Caps were buoyed after snaring the vital wicket of batting maestro Steve Smith for 85 before lunch, but they failed to capitalise on the breakthrough. After a morning session where tight bowling kept the run rate in check, a more aggressive Head and Paine lifted the tempo to build an imposing score. By tea, Australia were 431 for five with Head nearing only his second Test century and Paine not out 77 in a partnership worth 147. The visitors need to win to square the three-match series after crashing by 296 runs in the opening day-night clash in Perth. Head, who came into the match under pressure after a lean spell, began the day on 25 and patiently built his innings. The middle-order batsman, who made his debut against Pakistan last year, has reached three figures only once before, against Sri Lanka in Canberra this year when he smashed 161. He was fortunate to be in the starting XI after Australia opted … Continue reading Head nears century as Australia pile on runs against NZealand