103.4 overs Australia 351 (Warne 99, Langer 75, Martyn 60, Vettori 6-87) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 by 183 runs The nervous nineties got to Shane Warne with a vengeance at the WACA. Warne was on 99 when he slog-swept Daniel Vettori straight to Mark Richardson, who followed a smart catch with a dismissive bow to the crowd. A disbelieving Warne trudged off, Vettori had six wickets to his name, and New Zealand had a big first-innings lead of 183.

101.4 overs Australia 346 for 9 (Warne 94*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 by 188 runs

Jason Gillespie followed quickly for a duck, caught brilliantly at the second attempt by Adam Parore as he pushed forward at Daniel Vettori. It left a nervous Shane Warne on 94 at the non-striker's end, with only Glenn McGrath to come. And it gave Vettori his fourth five-for in only eight Tests against Australia.

99.2 overs Australia 342 for 8 (Warne 90*, Lee 17*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 by 192 runs

New Zealand struck at last when Brett Lee skewed a drive off Daniel Vettori to Craig McMillan at cover (342 for 8). There was some doubt as to whether the ball carried, but after numerous replays the third umpire Daryl Harper sent Lee on his way. He made 17 and added a crucial 72 with Shane Warne, who will want to get to a century before Glenn McGrath arrives at the crease.

98 overs Australia 338 for 7 (Warne 86*, Lee 17*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 by 196 runs

Australia got themselves out of jail when Brett Lee clipped Daniel Vettori to the long-on boundary to remove the threat of the follow-on. A couple of overs earlier, New Zealand thought they had Shane Warne caught behind for 80 as he heaved at Chris Martin. Umpire Ian Robinson rejected their appeal, but replays suggested Warne had nicked it. Instead he went on to make his highest Test score and looked keen to reach his first Test hundred as quickly as possible.

91 overs Australia 319 for 7 (Warne 73*, Lee 11*) need 16 to avoid the follow-on

Brett Lee hammered Chris Martin through the covers for four to move Australia within 22 of avoiding the follow-on, and with Shane Warne playing superbly, Australia were easing towards relative safety. Stephen Fleming brought on Daniel Vettori for Shane Bond. It was his last throw of the dice.

84 overs Australia 291 for 7 (Warne 51*, Lee 2*) need 44 to avoid the follow-on

As the tension mounted, Chris Cairns put down Shane Warne the ball after Warne had reached his second consecutive half-century. Warne clubbed a short one straight at Cairns, who could not hold the chance as he followed through. With Warne taking on the role of dominant parter after the dismissal of Damien Martyn, Australia were again looking likely to avoid the follow-on.

78.3 overs Australia 270 for 7 (Warne 40*) need 65 to avoid the follow-on

A huge wicket at Perth. Stephen Fleming brought back his main strike bowler Chris Cairns and Damien Martyn slapped his third delivery straight to Fleming in the gully, who took a very good catch above his head. With Cairns coming back for a loosening-up over before the Kiwis took the second new ball, the wicket was a huge bonus for New Zealand. Martyn was out for 60, and the threat of the follow-on loomed once more.

62 overs Australia 204 for 6 (Martyn 31*, Warne 6*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 dec by 330 runs

It was attritional stuff at the WACA as Australia regrouped following the loss of Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist in quick succession. Damien Martyn continued to look in great nick and hit one glorious cover-drive off Chris Cairns. His partner Shane Warne was batting very sensibly in an interesting duel with Daniel Vettori. As the match passed its halfway point, Australia still needed 131 to avoid the follow-on.

53.1 overs Australia 192 for 6 (Martyn 26*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 dec by 342 runs

Australia were in real danger of following-on when Adam Gilchrist prodded firmly at Daniel Vettori and was caught bat-pad by Mark Richardson at short leg. It was India revisited for Gilchrist, who was out third ball for 0, and with Vettori finding plenty of turn and bounce, Australia were facing a genuine test of their character.

50 overs Australia 191 for 5 (Martyn 25*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 dec by 343 runs

An increasingly delirious New Zealand side were well on top when Justin Langer was strangled down the leg side for 75 as he gloved a pull off Chris Cairns. Langer even walked, but he might have stood his ground if he had seen a replay – Cairns clearly overstepped and a no-ball should have been called. With a further 144 needed to avoid the follow-on and the match not even at its halfway point, Australia really were in the mire.

35.2 overs Australia 137 for 4 (Langer 49*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 dec by 397 runs

Steve Waugh's miserable series continued when Daniel Vettori had him caught behind for 8. Waugh had thumped two boundaries off Vettori, but Stephen Fleming switched his spinner to the Members End and he struck with his second ball, which drifted in then span away from Waugh, taking a thick edge as he groped forward. Adam Parore completed the job with a sharp catch. Waugh had just 11 runs in three innings and for once Australia were under real pressure.

30.3 overs Australia 122 for 3 (Langer 42*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 dec by 412 runs

Big breakthrough for New Zealand. Mark Waugh sliced a wider delivery from Daniel Vettori to gully, where Shane Bond took a magnificent two-handed catch just above the ground. Waugh was just hitting top-gear when he was out for 42, and Australia still needed 213 to avoid the follow-on.

29 overs Australia 119 for 2 (Langer 42*, Waugh 39*) trail New Zealand 534 for 9 dec by 415 runs

New Zealand were starting to rue their early misfortune as Justin Langer and Mark Waugh settled in for the long haul on a glorious day in Perth. Waugh worked Chris Cairns smoothly off his legs behind square for four and then eased the next delivery through mid-off off the back foot for another four. Cairns did not bowl well, and he and Chris Martin, who was much more impressive, soon gave way to Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori.

23 overs Australia 94 for 2 (Langer 40*, Waugh 17*) trail New Zealand by 440 runs

Australia endured a torrid opening to the third day at the WACA. Mark Waugh, a devout non-hooker, was bombarded with short stuff from the start by the lively Chris Martin, and at times there was not a single fielder in front of square. Starved of the feeling of bat on ball, let alone runs, Waugh carved at one that was too close to his body, and was put down by Stephen Fleming at first slip. It was a sharp chance, but an eminently catchable one.

In Martin's next over New Zealand went up as one for a catch down the leg side by Adam Parore off Justin Langer. Umpire Darrell Hair turned them down, but replays suggested he may have been wrong to do so. New Zealand knew they had to strike early, but as Waugh flipped Martin effortlessly to the square-leg fence and Langer spanked Chris Cairns down the ground for four, Australia were beginning to find their feet.

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