Starc (pictured above) and Johnson left New Zealand in tatters

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia’s left-arm pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson took two wickets apiece to leave New Zealand reeling at 157/5 at the end of the second day of the first Test in Brisbane.

Starting out the day on 389/2, Australia lost captain Steven Smith early on for 48 before Usman Khawaja and Adam Voges took the attack to New Zealand with a 157-run partnership, during which Khawaja surpassed the 150-run mark and Voges brought up his half-century.

The stand was finally ended when Khawaja was caught by Martin Guptill at backward point off the bowling of Kane Williamson.

Khawaja’s career-best innings of 174 came off 239 balls and included 16 boundaries and two sixes.

Following Khawaja’s dismissal, Smith decided to declare with his side on 556/4.

Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and James Neesham picked up one wicket apiece.

Trailing by 556 runs, New Zealand got off to a solid start as Guptill and Tom Latham amassed a 56-run partnership before Guptill was caught by David Warner at third slip off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood for 23.

Guptill’s wicket marked the start of New Zealand’s top order collapse as Latham was dismissed for 47 before Ross Taylor, captain Brendon McCullum and Neesham were sent back to the pavilion after scoring zero, six and three respectively.

Williamson and BJ Watling stemmed the bleeding with an unbeaten 39-run partnership, during which Williamson registered his half-century, before stumps was called.

Williamson finished on 55 off 70 balls, which included nine boundaries, while Watling remained undefeated on 14 off 35 deliveries, which included two boundaries.

Williamson scored his 16th Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Starc and Johnson snapped up two wickets each, while Hazlewood claimed one.

New Zealand ended day two on 157/5 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 00:00 GMT.