Adam Voges continued his golden summer, notching his fourth century in consecutive innings and lifting his Test batting average beyond 100 as Australia batted New Zealand out of the first Test on day two Saturday. Voges batted throughout the second day and was 176 not out at stumps, Peter Siddle was 29 not out and Australia was 463-6 in its first innings, leading by 280 after bowling out New Zealand for 183 on day one. When he reached 172 and kept his wicket intact, Voges pushed his Test average into three figures; testament to his persistence and vindication for Australia handing him a Test debut last year at age 35. He shared a pivotal partnership of 168 for the fourth wicket with Usman Khawaja whose 140 — his fourth century in as many tests — also prolonged his purple patch of form. Voges then put on 96 with Peter Nevill (32) for the sixth wicket and 68 with Siddle for the seventh to put Australia in a position to push for victory. "It was a lot of fun," Khawaja said. "We got off to a good start, no wickets in the first session, and that set up the whole day and for (Voges) to bat the whole way through was key for us. "It wasn't the easiest track I've batted on. There was a bit of swing with the new ball which was probably the most difficult period. It was never easy throughout any stage of the innings but we kept them out there long enough to drain them a little bit." The first half of the day belonged to Khawaja who played the role of senior partner with Voges which took Australia from 131-3 to 299-4. Khawaja was out during New Zealand's only period of ascendancy as the hosts claimed two wickets in three balls. He was out lbw to a ball that looked to be passing over the stumps but which he didn't review. Mitch Marsh survived an lbw review on his first ball, and was brilliantly caught and bowled by Trent Boult on the next delivery. Khawaja had his fourth century in his past four Tests in which he has batted. He scored 174 and 121 in the first and second Tests against New Zealand in Australia in November, then 144 against the West Indies in Melbourne. "There's nothing too mind blowing," Khawja said of his golden run of form. "I just try to keep the good balls out and hit the bad ones. "Fortunately, I did it for a longer period of time and managed to get 100. I'm just seeing the ball well at the moment." The second part of the day belonged to Voges who had been only 7 when play resumed on the second day with Australia 147-3. He went on to his third consecutive century in Test matches after his 269 not out and 106 not out against the West Indies and to his fourth straight century in first class games. — AP
