Australia’s Josh Hazlewood charged after outburst in second test against New Zealand

Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood pleaded guilty to a dissent charge after launching an expletive-laden tirade when a decision went against him in the second test against New Zealand on Tuesday.

With New Zealand battling to build a second innings lead in the first session on the fourth day, Hazlewood was convinced he had trapped Kane Williamson lbw, only for umpire Ranmore Martinesz to deny the appeal.

Captain Steve Smith asked for a review, though “hot-spot” technology showed Williamson, the key wicket the Australians needed in their push for victory, had got a thin inside edge onto his pad, so ball tracking was not examined.

The big screen did not show a clear picture of the hot spot and Hazlewood exploded, with stump microphones capturing his tirade. Smith then confronted Martinesz mid-pitch.

Williamson, who had an earlier lbw verdict overturned, fell for 97 after lunch as the hosts posted a total of 335, giving the visitors a 201-victory target.

Australia reached 70 for one at the close of play.

The outburst from Hazlewood, and “teapot” impersonation by Smith dominated social media afterwards. The fast bowler pleaded guilty later to showing dissent, a team spokesman said.

“Test cricket is a hard game and tempers can rise and people can get frustrated sometimes. If we did overstep the line, the match referee and the on-field umpires and the ICC are there to adjudicate that.”

New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who was batting with Williamson at the time of the latest incident, said the big screen replays had not been that clear for the players.

“I know from the big screen there’s a few bits and pieces [that] are harder to tell,” he said.

“I know we’ve been on the end of those where you want a wicket so badly and you want something to happen ... and it doesn’t quite go your way.

“It’s happened before and it’ll happen again.”