Tim Paine's classic sledge in the wake of DRS brouhaha

A DRS uproar stole headlines in the tail end of Australia’s first innings, but captain Tim Paine was able to see the funny side when the roles were reversed a short time later.

Australia were bowled out for 467 in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test, with an impressive century for Travis Head the cornerstone of the impressive total.

The home side’s good fortune kept up when the Kiwis were sent into the middle late on day two - with the wickets of opener Tom Blundell and captain Kane Williamson falling cheaply.

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They almost had a third before DRS saved Ross Taylor from throwing away his wicket in the dying stages of day two, and LBW shout overturned after the review showed the ball would have sailed over the bails.

But with Australia in a commanding position regardless, keeper and captain Paine couldn’t help but try to get into Taylor’s head a short time later.

The Aussie skipper had clearly done his research on Taylor, referencing a similar DRS escape for Taylor in the Kiwis’ recent series against England.

“That’s twice I’ve seen him dead out plum and not given,” Paine said.

“You see Broady hit him in the pad in New Zealand? It was absolutely hitting middle stump and it had missing leg.

“He knows the bloke in the truck.”

In the spirit of fair play, Taylor saw fit to point out that he’d gotten bat on the ball against Stuart Broad - not that it deterred Paine in the slightest.

“Did you touch it though?” Paine queried.

“I don’t think you did.”

Kiwi captain savaged for 'staggering' decision

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson’s decision to bowl after winning the toss on Boxing Day has proven to be a difficult one to defend, but a big call on day two has gotten a Kiwi great even more frustrated.

With Australia well in control after bing sent in to bat on day one, Williamson looked to be trying everything in search of a wicket immediately after lunch.

Williamson threw the ball to part-time spinner and regular wicketkeeper Tom Blundell immediately after the break, prompting New Zealand great Ian Smith to openly question his captain’s wisdom.

Blundell didn’t last with the ball, but Smith wasted no time in questioning the tactic on Fox Sports.

“I never thought two weeks ago he would’ve believed he’d be opening the batting at the MCG and suddenly finds himself bowling before he’s had a bat,” he said.

“I suppose it was an element of surprise straight after lunch from Kane Williamson hoping to pick up a bonus. It was sort of hoping against hope for me, I found it pretty weird to be honest.”