Australia vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Day 4 preview: Formalities left, Australia have one hand on the trophy

After running through New Zealand in the first innings, Australia finished Day 3 on 137/4, a colossal 456 runs ahead. At the crease are Matthew Wade (15*) and Travis Head (12*). Yet to bat are Tim Paine and four bowlers, all of whom can bat.

Of course, none of that is likely to matter from here. Only one team can win the Test from here and, unless something truly exceptional takes place, the best New Zealand can hope for is to take the match into the final day. Australia have as good as retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy.

The Australians had gone off to a brisk start thanks to David Warner (38) and Joe Burns (35), who added 62 in quick time. Neil Wagner (2/39) bounced out both Warner and Steven Smith to reach 200 wickets, but despite that – and a rare failure from both Smith (7) and Marnus Labuschagne (19) – New Zealand were never in the game after conceding a 319-run lead.

For New Zealand, Tom Latham (50) showed tremendous grit, leaving and defending reassuringly. He was eventually seventh out after opening the innings. None of his teammates reached 20 against a relentless barrage of quality fast bowling from Pat Cummins (5/28), James Pattinson (3/34), and Mitchell Starc (2/30).

Key players

James Pattinson (Australia): Drafted in for the injured Josh Hazlewood, Pattinson bounced out Kane Williamson in the first innings before accounting for BJ Watling and Mitchell Santner. A message for the selectors, maybe, then, with a second-innings encore?

Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Williamson will have to take charge if New Zealand have to take this match to the fifth day (a draw, let alone a win, is too far-fetched at this stage). It has not been a great series for him, and he will want to make amends to that and sign off the year with a flourish.

Brief scores

Australia 467 (Travis Head 114, Steven Smith 85; Neil Wagner 4/83) and 137/4 (David Warner 38; Neil Wagner 2/39) lead New Zealand 148 (Tom Latham 50; Pat Cummins 5/28) by 456 runs.

Predictions

Australia to win the series in the last session.