Second Test day three as it happened:Smith fails again as Australia suffer major collapse in pursuit of 279 for victory

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That’s a wrap

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Come back for more fun tomorrow. It should be a sensational final day of the series.

Be sure to check out our mastheads for all the latest news and analysis from our man on the ground,Daniel Brettig,in New Zealand.

All the best. Long live Test cricket. Cheers!

Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand bats during day three.

Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand bats during day three.Getty

Three talking points from day three

Steve Smith’s worrying form slump

General concerns about the Aussie top order

Ben Sears of New Zealand celebrates after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.

Ben Sears of New Zealand celebrates after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.Getty

Cummins’ captaincy continues to shine

Pat Cummins in action on Sunday.

Pat Cummins in action on Sunday.Getty

Can Australia pull off a remarkable win?

Stumps:Australia 4-77,require 202 runs for victory

Take a breath. That was some day of Test cricket.

New Zealand started well. Australia then got back in control. The Kiwis got away again before Australia wrapped up the tail quickly.

But a top order collapse of 4-38 from Australia has put them in major danger of suffering their first Test loss to New Zealand since 2011.

Travis Head (17 off 39 balls) and Mitch Marsh (27 off 27 balls) have battled away for the last 10 overs in fading light but are still there at stumps.

The winner of the first session tomorrow morning will win this Test. Must-watch stuff.

Australia 4-77,require 202 runs for victory

Matt Henry runs in for New Zealand.

Matt Henry runs in for New Zealand.Getty

Hagley Oval is going off

As stumps approaches,the local crowd are getting around their lads.

Marsh and Head are hanging in there. The ball is swinging a bit but they are getting in behind it well.

Australia 4-68,require 211 runs to win

Australia pick off a handful of boundaries as stumps approaches

This pair certainly aren’t going to die wondering.

Marsh is rocking onto the front foot and looking to dominate,while Head is staying busy and gets a bit lucky with an edge through the slips for four.

The lights have come on at Hagley Oval as we take the extra half an hour of play.

Australia 4-58,require 221 runs to win

New Zealand’s Ben Sears celebrates after dismissing Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne.

New Zealand’s Ben Sears celebrates after dismissing Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne.AP

Kiwis on the cusp of second win over Australia since 1993

As Travis Head and Mitch Marsh try to stem the flow of wickets,with just over 30 minutes remaining in the day,this table shows just how dominant Australia has been over New Zealand for the past three decades.

Marsh is off the mark,while Head is getting his eye in. Morale is super high in New Zealand camp.

Australia 4-43,require 236 runs

Carnage in Christchurch as Australia lose their fourth wicket

It is officially all happening in Christchurch.

Cam Green tries to shoulder arms to Ben Sears but the Aussie No.4 chops one onto his stumps. Ordinary cricket.

He’s out for five and the Kiwis are right on top.

A nightmare start for Australia as Mitch Marsh comes to the crease on a pair.

Australia 4-34,require 245 runs to win

Australia in all sorts of trouble at 3-30

This is carnage in Christchurch.

Matt Henry has his second wicket as Usman Khawaja is caught at third slip for 11.

It’s a ripper of a catch from Tim Southee,low to his left.

Lots of work to do for Travis Head with an hour left on day three.

Australia 3-30

Ben Sears of New Zealand celebrates after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.

Ben Sears of New Zealand celebrates after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.Getty

Labuschagne gone as well after getting a life earlier in over

Labuschagne gets off the mark with a crisp on-drive to the boundary before a thick outside edge that runs away for a couple of runs.

Wow. Coming off 90 in the first innings,Labuschagne is almost gone for six. Shocker of a dropped catch there.

He should have been caught at first slip off but Mitchell puts it down.

GONE! Two balls later,Labuschagne tries to turn one to the leg side but the ball goes straight back to Sears who gets the wicket he deserves. Huge celebrations as the Kiwis strike again to put Australia right under the pump.

Bang,bang.

Australia 2-22

Tom Decent is a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald

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