Cricket: Waugh makes Australia safe

A flamboyant century by Mark Waugh made Australia's position almost impregnable on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand.

Resuming on 329 for 2, Australia lost David Boon in the second over, but Waugh and Allan Border dominated the session. The hundred partnership came from 87 balls and when the total reached 450 shortly before lunch, the last 50 had taken just 39 minutes. Waugh reached his fifth Test century by effortlessly guiding the last ball before lunch to the cover boundary.

The short period of success for New Zealand's struggling bowlers came after lunch when Australia lost 3 wickets for 17 in half an hour. Waugh was the first to go, ending the exhilarating partnership with Border of 150 in 132 minutes. Border reached his 62nd half-century before offering a return catch to Danny Morrison. Australia's eventual declaration came half an hour before tea.

Facing a massive total of 544 for 6 - which was just eight short of Australia's highest Test score against their neighbours - New Zealand faltered from the start, losing both openers for 47, but had reached 81 for 2 by the close.