Australia regain control

Australia closed day three of the second Test at Hobart as favourites to complete a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.

The hosts finished a day ended early by rain on 72-0, needing a further 169 runs to win.

David Warner raced to 47 not out off just 50 balls to suggest batting conditions were not as treacherous as they had been on the opening two days.

Phil Hughes (20 not out) also looked solid as New Zealand toiled for a breakthrough.

After NZ resumed on 139-3, Peter Siddle removed Kane Williamson (34) off the third delivery of the day when he took the edge of the right-hander?s bat and Ricky Ponting did the rest at second slip.

Dean Brownlie (21) helped skipper Ross Taylor (56) put on 32 steady runs for the fifth wicket as New Zealand continued to hold the advantage.

Australia then fought back to claim the last six wickets for just 54 runs to significantly boost their victory chances.

James Pattinson struck in successive overs to remove Taylor and Brownlie to catches behind the wicket.

Siddle then trapped Reece Young lbw before off-spinner Nathan Lyon wrapped up the innings with three wickets.

Kiwi debutant Trent Boult produced a little flurry at the end with four boundaries but Australia?s victory target of 241 was much smaller than it might have been.

Pattinson (3-54), Siddle (3-66) and Lyon (3-25) did most of the damage for a persevering Australia bowling attack.

Rain meant the final session of the day was completely wiped out but the Australia openers had already put their team into the ascendancy by that point.