Tea New Zealand 162 & 43 for 1 (Williamson 25*, Latham 13*, Starc 1-15) trail Australia 256 (Labuschagne 90, Starc 28, Henry 7-67) by 51 runs

After New Zealand trailed on the first innings by 94 runs, Young succumbed to a lifting delivery from Mitchell Starc to be caught behind for 1. But Williamson and Tom Latham made it through to tea on the second day as New Zealand reduced their deficit to 51 runs.

New Zealand’s batting has been under the microscope having failed to reach 200 runs in their three previous innings in the series, with Williamson making just 26 runs.

But Williamson, playing in his 100th Test, has looked assured and played several trademark drives through the off-side. He did survive a loud lbw appeal from a wicked Josh Hazlewood delivery that seamed back in and hit high on the pad.

The pitch does appear to be getting better to bat on amid sunny conditions. Despite bowlers dominating this match so far, the surface has not been as treacherous as Wellington but there is enough movement for the seamers to exploit.

Labuschagne, who has only made two of his 11 hundreds away from Australia, had endured lean form over the last 12 months, and has seen his Test average drop below 50 having once soared above 60. He had suffered four consecutive single digit innings before this match.

Other than Labuschagne, a number of Australia’s batters could not go on with starts although cameos from Starc, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins lifted them to a handy lead.

After their disastrous first innings of 162, New Zealand have been playing catch up and Henry ensured they remained afloat with consistent wickets after Australia resumed at 124 for 4 on day two.

New Zealand were frustrated initially by Lyon, the nightwatcher, who was dropped by Daryl Mitchell at first slip on one and he made them pay to underline his form with the bat after top-scoring in Australia’s second innings in Wellington with 41.

Having scored the most runs in Test history without a half-century, with a highest score of 47, Lyon again eyed the milestone as Australia almost drew to parity.

But Lyon – on 20 – edged Henry to Mitchell, who made no mistake on this occasion to bring relief for New Zealand. Henry continued his excellent series when he trapped Mitchell Marsh on the crease, but his loud appeal was turned down.

With just one review left, Southee was in a dilemma until he sought the DRS in the nick of time and it proved the right call with the decision overturned as Marsh fell for consecutive ducks.

Alex Carey’s struggles against spin continued when he gifted Glenn Phillips – who had been brought into the attack in an inspired move by Tim Southee – a wicket after a poorly executed paddle stroke on 14.

With Josh Inglis breathing down his neck, Carey’s place in the team will further be in the spotlight having only made two half-centuries in his last 18 innings.

Labuschagne held the innings together and his determined work in the nets in the lead-up paid off with well-executed plans evident. He made an emphasis to counter the movement by getting across the stumps and hitting into his favoured on-side

But Labuschagne’s tactics of walking down the pitch, especially to Henry, raised the eyebrows of the umpires who got together to discuss whether he was moving into the protected area of the pitch.

Labuschagne’s bid for his first century since the Ashes Test in Manchester last year was cut short by a spectacular catch from Phillips at gully after leaping high to his right on the last ball before lunch.