Australia's position of dominance in the second Test with New Zealand at Hobart has been a little undermined by the weather and has the media pundits wondering if another declaration-decided Test might be on the cards.

The Sun Herald: "[Shane] Warne's first ball was full and clipped hard into short leg's leg in a rare display of aggression from Matthew Bell. His next offering was swept from glove on to pad and through to Adam Gilchrist.

"Bell, whose stance during the first Test in Brisbane was odd enough, has reverted to what is perhaps the most unorthodox set-up in the game. Starting well outside leg stump with his back leg staggered like that of a distance runner at the starting line, he takes three distinct steps across the crease as the bowler approaches. His captain conceded last week he was 'probably a little fragile', adding that 'if you're a little bit different you're going to get attention'.

"Bell got plenty of it yesterday before umpire John Smeaton, standing in for the injured Steve Davis, raised his finger and ended the misery.

"Bell, who faced a painful 33 balls before scoring, has made six, five and four in the series. Unless something changes soon, it's not only his figures that will be fading away."

The Age: "Steve Waugh's relentless Australian team insists there is still time to pluck a victory over New Zealand from the waters of Bellerive Oval despite another rain-marred day in the second Test yesterday.

"Only 35 overs were possible yesterday - just one more than on Friday - with NZ moving to 2/71 in its first innings.

"But the speed with which Australia reached its imposing first innings score of 8/558 declared from only 124 overs has left it confident of achieving a win to make up for the draw in the first Test in Brisbane, when rain also intervened.

"'There are plenty of opportunities for the game to be won from our point of view,' said Australian coach John Buchanan.

"However, Australia's chances depend on some finer weather reaching Hobart, and showers are forecast for the last two days."

The Sunday Telegraph: "In the first Test at the Gabba, half of which was lost to rain, Australian skipper Steve Waugh set up a thrilling final day by declaring and asking New Zealand to score 284 off 57 overs for victory.

"The tourists went within 10 runs of the target with four wickets in hand.

"Afterwards Waugh and [Stephen] Fleming said they would be prepared to throw their chips on the table if the same scenario arose again.

"With about five hours already lost in this Test, the two captains are again under pressure to go for broke in a three-match series which already has taken a financial battering from the weather.

"Interestingly, both said they were prepared to roll the dice after the exciting finish in Brisbane two weeks ago."

NZPA: "Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming says the current second test against Australia is unlikely to produce a nail-biting finish.

"There will be no repeat of the declarations that led to the first test's thrilling finale, he says.

"Fleming said there was virtually no chance of he and opposite Steve Waugh setting up a run chase on the final day.

"Saving the game was the only realistic target for New Zealand.

"'It's probably getting that way,' he said.

"'There's more showers predicted for the next couple of days and they've got far too many runs on the board to harbour any thoughts like we did in Brisbane.'"

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