Cricket: Black Caps take the honours - just

Kane Williamson whips one away during the second session of the second day of the second test. Photo / Getty

New Zealand took the honours, just, on the second test of the second test against Australia at the Waca today.

New Zealand had reached 140 for two at stumps today in reply to Australia's 559 for nine declared, their fifth highest total in transtasman tests.

Kane Williamson was on 70, which included 10 fours, and is within sight of what would be his 12th test century, and Ross Taylor had reached a steady 26.

New Zealand's immediate target tomorrow will be reaching 360 to avoid having to follow on.

When he completed his half century, with a rasping cover drive off left arm quick Mitchell Johnson, it was the in-form Williamson's eighth 50-plus innings in his last 12 in tests.

New Zealand's innings began badly with Martin Guptill lbw to Mitchell Starc for one off five balls.

Fellow opener Tom Latham had a couple of close shaves - and would have been lbw to Starc at 11 had Australia sought a referral.

But he dug deep and got to 36 before edging a catch to slip from offspinner Nathan Lyon, having added 81 with Williamson.

Taylor produced some nice drives and had got through the hard part to set himself up for tomorrow.

Earlier, Australia had added 143 runs to their overnight 416 for two, and lost seven wickets.

David Warner went early for 253, adding nine to his score at the start of the day; and captain Steve Smith pegged down by a far tidier bowling performance, had a slog to be out for 27.

Western Australians Adam Voges and Mitchell Marsh put on 50 before a late flurry of wickets gave some satisfaction to the New Zealand bowlers.

Offspinner Mark Craig finished with three for 123, while seamers Doug Bracewell, Matt Henry and Trent Boult got two apiece.

- By David Leggat in Perth