Kiwi calamity! Absolute scenes in Wellington as Kane Williamson runs himself for a DUCK while Aussies turn down runs to have a chat mid-pitch

Australia are in complete control in their Test against New Zealand in Wellington – but a major talking point was Cameron Green and No. 11 batsman Josh Hazelwood controversially not taking a run early on day two.

Pat Cummins’ men were dominant at the Basin Reserve in Wellington after a record 10th wicket stand from Green and Hazelwood.

Australia scored 383 runs, with Green recording a career best 174* runs after the Aussies had earlier run into trouble at 4/89.

In response, the hosts were reeling at 5/80 after 26 overs, with Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra both dismissed for ducks.

Williamson doesn’t want to see the replay as his run-out after a direct hit from Marnus Labuschagne is a comedy of errors.

And at one point in the morning session on day two, Green and Hazlewood were toying with the Kiwis, refusing at least two runs to stop in the middle of the field and have a chat.

“Nicely timed around the onside,” said former Australian fast bowler Brendan Julian.

Then former Black Cap and Cricket commentator Mark Richardson burst out laughing and added: ‘They’re not going to run.’

Julian said: ‘They actually ran one and stopped halfway through to have a chat, they probably could have gotten two.’

But replays showed neither batsmen had made their crease for the first run, instead stopping to have a brief word and then returning to be safely home for zero runs.

“The referees are basically chatting here, they don’t know how to deal with this,” Richardson said.

‘What is this? What is that? Is that a short one?’

Julian replied, “They didn’t cross the fold, so there’s nothing.”

Commentators Mark Richardson and Brendon Julian were confused by the fake run and unsure if they had crossed for a run or not

Green powered his way to 174 runs at the lunch break on day two of the first Test, putting the Aussies in a dominant position

Hazlewood (left) put on 22 runs off 62 balls for a record 10th wicket partnership against the Black Caps

Although the moment was comical, the Aussies were fortunate not to be hit with a five-point penalty under a rule rarely enforced.

According to Law 18.5, batsmen who deliberately stop short of the crease must be called for an ‘intentional short run’ and penalized five runs.

In some cases, the incident may be referred to the match referee and the batsmen or even the captain may be fined or suspended.

Green, who was overlooked for the Pakistan series but returned to the team at No. 4 after Warner’s retirement, said it was relieving and satisfying to still be there.

“It was quite a tough wicket there. Someone just had to come through, and I’m glad it was me,” he said Thursday evening.

‘When you’re not playing in the team, you sometimes think about how special it really is to play for Australia.

“Sometimes you forget that when you play so much, so it’s nice to be back.”