New Zealand batsmen Nathan Astle and Adam Parore were the toast of the cricket world after their outstanding feats in the third Test against Australia at the WACA yesterday.

Newspapers around Australia, New Zealand and Britain feasted on their feats.

The Sun Herald: "Astle and Parore played measured, controlled knocks to wear their opponents down, and the frustration among the Australians - robbed of victory in the first two drawn Tests due to rain - was palpable.

"Parore, singled out in Shane Warne's autobiography as one of New Zealand's most persistent sledgers, delighted in taking to the leg spinner, who was hammered.

"At the end of an over containing one Parore four late in the second session, Warne was heard on TV microphones to vent his spleen by yelling an obscenity, raising memories of his expletive-laced tirade against Zimbabwe's Stuart Carlisle at the same ground last summer."

The Sunday Telegraph: "Steve Waugh's world champion side is under siege and facing three days of hard yakka to avoid one of most unexpected series losses in Australian Test history.

"Shaun Pollock's South Africans arrive in Perth this morning to be greeted by stunning news - for the first time in a long time Australia is under the pump on home soil.

"New Zealand duo Nathan Astle (156 not out) and wicketkeeper Adam Parore (110) have all but put the third Test and the series out of Australia's reach at the WACA, with one of Test cricket's best lower-order stands.

"The duo added a staggering 253 for the eighth wicket to bat from the start of play until an hour into the final session of the second day.

"It was extraordinary stuff and Australia, in mild trouble at 2-75 at stumps (260 from the follow-on), has much heavy work ahead.

"It is an intriguing Test for the Australians, who, while great match-winners, are not known as great match-savers - their adrenalin-charged batting not renowned for heeding the amber light."

The Sunday Times (London): "The self-confidence that has taken Australia to the top of the world game evaporated as Nathan Astle and Adam Parore amassed a partnership of 253.

"Following centuries by (Stephen) Fleming and debutant Lou Vincent, Astle and Parore made the Australian attack look second rate, with leg-spinner Shane Warne even reduced to bowling bouncers.

"Australia almost dismissed Parore when he had made 70, but Mark Waugh failed to reach a difficult chance at slip. The wicketkeeper, who was slated in Warne's recent book for talking too much at the wicket, enjoyed exacting his revenge, and at one point pulled the leg-spinner for a mighty six."

The Sunday Telegraph (London): "New Zealand's batsmen rarely faltered as they carved out an eighth-wicket liaison of 253 - the best by New Zealand against any country for that wicket and the second highest eighth-wicket stand in Test history.

"Australia contributed to their difficulties by making unaccustomed fielding blunders.

"Parore was dropped at 70 and 92, while Astle had a life on 156 - just before Fleming closed the innings."

New Zealand Press Association: "Australia's bowling attack was reduced to rags, shredded by Nathan Astle and Adam Parore who smashed a host of records and put New Zealand in command of the third cricket test on day two at the Waca here today.

"In one of New Zealand's most dominant days of test cricket in recent memory, the experienced pair produced a colossal eighth-wicket stand of 253 to push the Black Caps to 534 for nine declared.

"New Zealand furthered its cause by taking the wickets of Justin Langer (34) and Mark Waugh (four) before stumps, leaving Australia at 75 for two after 15 overs at the crease.

"Both Astle and Parore passed 100 to give New Zealand four century-makers in a test innings for the first time, following the knocks of Lou Vincent and Stephen Fleming, who combined for a 199-run partnership yesterday. It is only the ninth time four or more centuries have been achieved by any team in test history."

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