The veteran Australian batsman, Steve Smith was looking good to score his 27th Test century and his fifth in as many Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but fell 15 runs short all thanks to an absolutely stunning catch from Henry Nicholls on Day 2 of Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test. Smith’s knock was not the most fluent one but it was certainly patient, as he scored just 85 runs off 242 balls.

New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner had troubled the Australian stalwart with some sharp bouncers and finally got the better of him when a short delivery ballooned off Steve Smith’s bat handle and glove with Henry Nicholls taking a brilliant one-handed catch at gully.

Here is the video of Steve Smith’s wicket:

✈ We have takeoff! ✈

A flying Henry Nicholls takes a screamer in the gully to remove Steve Smith! @bet365_aus | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/SlCDEWXNSY

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2019

Steve Smith’s wicket didn’t dampen Australian spirits as the packed MCG witnessed a fine sixth-wicket partnership between captain Tim Paine and Travis Head. At Tea on Day 2, the duo had put on a 147-run partnership to put the hosts in complete control of the second Test.

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Travis Head was batting on 98 while skipper Paine was playing at 77* when the second session of the day ended. Australia resumed at 257 for four with Smith on 77 and Head not out 25 under clear skies on a hot day.

It was slow going as pace spearheads Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Wagner kept the run-rate under check, with Smith adding just eight runs to his overnight score in more than an hour before he was out.

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Mitchell Santner, though, was a major disappointment for New Zealand, as he went wicketless after bowling 19 overs. The visitors need to win the match to square the three-match series after crashing in the opening day-night clash in Perth by 296 runs.