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Australian star Nathan Lyon insists the tourists can still emerge victorious despite New Zealand requiring just six wickets away for its first home Test win over their trans-Tasman rivals since 1993.
The Aussies finished day three 4-77 at stumps and will resume play on day four with Travis Head (17*) and Mitchell Marsh (27*) at the crease with 202 runs required for victory at Hagley Oval.
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The duo will need to deliver big performances if Australia are to continue New Zealand’s wretched home form against the defending World Test champions after Steve Smith (9), Usman Khawaja (11), Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Cameron Green (5) all departed in the space of seven overs.
Despite the big task that awaits, Lyon — who was padded up as the nightwatchman in case another wicket fell — remained bullish about Australia’s chances of victory.
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“It would be a great Test match win if we’re able to pick this off,” Lyon said.
“There’s a lot of belief in that change room and I think that’s credit to Pat and Ron (Andrew McDonald), the way they go about their leadership, instilling a lot of belief that we can win from any position.
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“And we’ve now found ourselves in this position that our backs are up against the wall. New Zealand were on a roll tonight but I’m sitting here understanding and believing that we can win, that’s for sure.”
However, if New Zealand are able to secure the six wickets needed, it would mark the Black Caps’ first home Test win against Australia in 11 matches, a run that has spanned 31 years.
Kiwi duo Matt Henry and Ben Sears were the pick of the bowlers as they snared two wickets each while Tim Southee was extremely economical, conceding just 12 runs from seven overs.
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Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), Ben Sears
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