07:03

If day one was Australia’s - just - and day two theirs convincingly, then day three was where they asserted their dominance over New Zealand in this Boxing Day Test, and in merciless fashion.

Pat Cummins (5-28) and James Pattinson (3-34) tore through the visiting batting order with fast bowling that was in equal parts controlled and hostile. They exploited what was on offer in the surface, finding the right lengths to draw edges, ruffle feathers, and make batting look extraordinarily difficult.

They were backed up by some smart fielding, as well as the handy relief options of Mitchell Starc (2-30) and Nathan Lyon (0-35).

New Zealand were dismissed midway through the middle session but despite boasting a lead in excess of 300 Tim Paine opted against the follow on. That precipitated three hours of pretty ordinary cricket while the home pacemen put their feet up.

phil withall (@phil_withall) @JPHowcroft this match is a great advert for mandatory declaration thresholds. I've not thought this idea through and have no means of justifying it, just seems right.

Late in the day there was a lively half hour or so when a few wickets fell in a cluster, one of those again being Steve Smith (7) bodylined by the irrepressible Neil Wagner (2-39).

Australia’s lead is already enough for them to win two Test matches, such is the mismatch between their bowling and New Zealand’s batting, but while they have the luxury of batting on the game will remain in this odd stasis. Let’s hope for the punters making their way to the MCG on day four there is an early declaration and the battle proper can resume.

To find out when New Zealand will once again have to face the music, join Adam Collins and I right here.