Australia take huge lead against New Zealand in first Test

Australia declined to enforce follow-on despite taking a massive first-innings lead on third day of first Test against New Zealand at Perth Stadium on Saturday. After home side made 416 Kiwis were dismissed for only 166 in ir first innings just before lunch as Australian paceman Mitchell Starc terrorized ir batsmen. Australia faced one over in ir second innings before lunch and were one for ne, with David Warner on one and Joe Burns yet to score.

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visitors trailed by 250 runs in first innings, but Australia didn't enforce follow-on given extreme heat and absence of front line paceman Josh Hazlewood due to injury. Starc claimed 5-52 and troubled New Zealanders with his pace and bounce. Only Ross Taylor offered meaningful resistance with 80, but he was caught at slip by Steve Smith off bowling of Nathan Lyon.

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Smith took three catches, including his blinder on second day to remove Kane Williamson for 34 and end a 76-run third-wicket stand with Taylor. His third was contentious when Colin de Grandhomme (23) was given out caught behind by umpire Aleem Dar to hand Starc his fifth scalp. De Grandhomme tried to fend off a rising delivery and ball deflected off his helmet to Smith in slips, with Dar believing it also brushed batsman's gloves. batsman reviewed and although replays showed conclusive evidence of contact with his gloves, third umpire Marais Erasmus said re was insufficient grounds to overturn dismissal and Dar's decision stood. 

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