New Zealand close on 71-2

New Zealand were 71 for two in reply to Australia's first innings 558 for eight at the close of the third day's play in the second Test at the Bellerive Oval on Saturday.

Rain forced the players off the field 43 minutes after lunch and play was finally abandoned for the day at 1704 local time.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was 16 not out and opener Mark Richardson 25 not out.

Jason Gillespie (1-18) and Shane Warne (1-25) were the successful bowlers for Australia.

Mathew Sinclair, who had scored 23 from 39 balls before lunch, was bowled by Gillespie from the first ball of the second session after leaving a gaping hole between bat and pad.

Shane Warne, introduced to the attack in the 14th over with New Zealand 11 for no wicket, needed only two balls to claim his 411th Test victim, removing opener Matthew Bell for four to a catch behind by Adam Gilchrist as he attempted to sweep.

Bell, who scored six and five in the drawn first Test in Brisbane earlier this month, had taken 33 balls to get off the mark.

Warne almost had two wickets in his opening over when Sinclair edged the ball to leg slip and Australian captain Steve Waugh failed to hold a low chance as he dived to his left.

Day 1 images | Day 2 images | Day 3 images

Scorecard:
Australian 1st innings
New Zealand 1st innings

Mail Cricket Editor