New Zealand managed to escape with a draw in the second Test at Wellington, thanks to the rain gods coming to the home side's rescue. The Kiwis were struggling, having lost three quick wickets in their second innings when the heavens opened and gave New Zealand one last chance to fight back in the series in the third Test.

Australia got off to a near perfect start in the Test after rain marred the whole of the opening day. Justin Langer was in an ultra-aggressive mood while Hayden too looked set for a big one. The pair added 82 before Vettori cut short Langer's innings four short of a half century. Ponting too did not last long, falling to the left-armer.

Meanwhile, Hayden, not in the greatest touch lately, got to his half century without much difficulty. But just when he seemed poised for yet another century, he threw it away. Australia lost Michael Clarke too quickly, sent back by part-timer Nathan Astle. Damien Martyn and first Test centurion Simon Katich began the repair work and did well to take Australia to 247 before Katich perished.

Come day three and it was all Australia. Martyn and Gilchrist literally tore apart the Kiwis, showing no mercy to any bowler. Franklin, Martin, Vettori all going for well over 100 runs. Ian O'Brien wasn't far behind. The youngster, playing in his second Test, got a taste of what Test cricket is all about.

Damien Martyn played shots all round the wicket en route to his entertaining 165 while Gilchrist was his usual attacking self. Their partnership gave the small crowd a lot to cheer about after the rain delays on the earlier days. Gilchrist was finally dismissed for 162. But the Kiwi bowlers' misery was far from over. Leggie Shane Warne came in and smashed a half-century at less than a run-a-ball before Ponting declared the innings at 570 for 8 scored in just 140 overs.

It needed a marathon effort from the Kiwis to save the Test from here on. A little help from the weather would have certainly helped. The start for the home side was disastrous as usual. Fleming fell to McGrath for the umpteenth time, shouldering arms and being adjudged lbw. Craig Cumming hung on gamely for 37, but his contribution was too inconsequential in the context of the game. Another New Zealand collapse was in the offing as Marshall and Astle too were back in the hut by day four.

But the Kiwis showed some fight the next day, in the form of Lou Vincent trying to re-establish himself in the Test squad and night watchman James Franklin, who ably supported him. Vincent went on to register a valiant half-century, which could extend his Test career for a while.
 

It was Kasprowicz who got the breakthrough for the visitors, having Franklin fishing outside the off-stump. The tail-ender made a good contribution of 26, sticking it out. Lou Vincent fell soon after to the same bowler (caught behind) and that was about the end of New Zealand's resistance, until Vettori came in and blasted 45. It wasn't enough for the Kiwis to save the follow-on though. Rain did come to their rescue, preventing any further play on the penultimate day. The story was no different on the final day as the Kiwis escaped with a draw.
 

Australia have undoubtedly looked the dominant team in the series and the New Zealanders will have to do some serious soul-searching before the third Test to compete. Their batsmen, except for a couple, have failed to deliver, the skipper included. The bowling has looked good only in phases. As of now, the Kiwis look down and out, and it will take something out of the ordinary for them to upset the Aussies in the third Test.