HAMILTON: Australian seamer Mitchell Johnson stung the hosts in their pursuit of 479 with 3 for 39 during hostile spells either side of tea.

New Zealand need a world-record chase to level the series but there is virtually no chance of that after another modest top-order performance left them at 185 for 5. While the pitch is still excellent and the forecast is for another sunny day, they still require 294 runs, with Martin Guptill (29) and Brendon McCullum (19) the only remaining men capable of long stays.

Earlier, Marcus North’s 90 rushed Australia towards their lunch-time declaration of 511 for 8 today.

Later, Johnson removed Tim McIntosh and BJ Watling before tea and after the break delivered the crucial blow when Ross Taylor edged a ball angling across him.

In his second over he bowled McIntosh with an off-cutter that darted between pad and a diagonally-defensive bat. Johnson quickly made Sinclair wince when hitting him in the back with a short one that deflected for four legbyes.

Four overs later Watling (24) pushed Johnson through cover for a boundary, but departed chasing a repeat and edged to Brad Haddin. The wicket made Johnson the fastest left-arm bowler to 150 wickets, with the milestone arriving in 34 Tests, and he had 2 for 18 from his opening spell of six overs.

Taylor and Sinclair were in decent shape during a stand of 54 before Taylor (22) was tempted into pushing at a rising ball going away from him and Haddin had his second catch. Taylor was the only man capable of collecting a massive score to worry the Australians, who were triumphant at his departure.

Further trouble came when Sinclair was lbw for 29 having missed a straight one from Michael Clarke’s part-timers, and they were 152 for 5 after Daniel Vettori was trapped in front trying to sweep Nathan Hauritz. A large batch of replays couldn’t save the captain in his 100th Test and his milestone match is almost certain to end in a heavy defeat.

Tags: chase vs Australia, New Zealand 185/5 in huge