The Australians were lucky to escape the penalty after a strange moment when batsmen gave up crucial runs to chat at mid-wicket against New Zealand.

The Australian Test team’s tail is wagging against New Zealand, but could they have to rue crucial runs that failed because the batsmen decided to stop and chat?

The Aussies are in complete control at Basin Reserve in Wellington following a New Zealand record 10th wicket wicket from Cameron Green and number 11 batsman Josh Hazelwood.

Australia have amassed 383 runs and Green scored a career-best 174* runs after the Australians had previously been in trouble with 5/89.

And at one point in the morning session on the second day, Green and Hazlewood were playing with the Kiwis, giving up at least two runs to get to midfield for a quick chat.

Commentators Mark Richardson and Brendon Julian were confused by the fake race, unsure whether they had crossed over to run or not.

“Well timed from the inside side,” said former Australian fast bowler Brendan Julian.

Then former Black Cap and Cricket commentator Mark Richardson laughed and added: “They’re not going to run.”

Julian said: “They actually ran one and stopped in the middle to chat, they probably could have gotten two.”

But replays showed that neither batsman had made his area for the first run, instead stopping to talk briefly and then returning to be safe at home for zero runs.

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

‘What is this? What’s that? Is that short?

Julian responded: “They didn’t go over the crease, so there’s nothing.”

While the moment was comical, the Australians were lucky not to be hit with a five-run penalty under a rarely enforced Law of the Game.

Under Law 18.5, batsmen who intentionally stop short of the crease must be penalized with a “deliberate 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 blasted his way to 174 runs at the lunch break on the second day of the first Test to put the Australians in a dominant position.

Hazlewood (left) provided 22 runs off 62 balls for a record 10th partnership against the Black Caps.

Green, who was ignored for the Pakistan series but reinstated in the team at No. 4 after Warner’s retirement, said it was a relief and satisfaction to still be there at stumps.

“It was quite difficult terrain. “Someone just needed to get ahead, and I’m glad it was me,” she said Thursday night.

“When you’re not playing for the team, you stop and think about how special it is to play for Australia.

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