91Èȱ¬

Ross Taylor became the first New Zealander to hit a double century against Australia as the Kiwis fought back in the second Test at the Waca.

Starting the third day on 140-2, the Black Caps were 419 runs behind after David Warner scored 253 for the hosts.

Taylor almost matched the Aussie's tally, hitting an unbeaten 235 as his side reached 510-6, 49 runs behind.

Kane Williamson scored 166 - his fourth century this year - and shared a third-wicket partnership of 265 with Taylor.

The pair took their side to 352 before Australia finally made a breakthrough, with Josh Hazlewood snaring Williamson, caught by Mitchell Johnson at mid-on.

Following Williamson's departure, Brendon McCullum contributed 27 runs to an 80-run partnership with Taylor before being bowled by Mitchell Marsh.

BJ Watling (one) and Doug Bracewell (12) also came and went as Australia responded in the evening session, but Taylor remained unmoved, passing his previous best Test score of 217 and reaching 5,000 Test runs in the process.

Australia, who lead the three-match series 1-0, look set to be without batsman Usman Khawaja for the final Test in Adelaide after he injured a hamstring.

Did Starc bowl the fastest Test delivery?

Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc's fourth ball of his 21st over was clocked at 160.4kph by the host broadcaster, which is 99.67mph.

It was a yorker from the left-arm paceman which was dug out by Taylor and would be the fastest measured in Test history if correct.

However, New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan called into the question whether Starc's delivery was as fast as it was shown to be on screen.

"Maybe someone in the (TV) truck was having a bit of fun," said McMillan.

"It looked pretty similar to a lot of the other deliveries throughout the day that were closer to 150 than 160. I'm not sure whether maybe the wrong button was pushed or what.

"I just wonder whether there was a technical problem down at the truck that maybe led to that."

The fastest ever delivery is believed to be one from ex-Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar in a one-day international against England in South Africa in 2003, which was measured at 161.3kph.