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Taylor sets new Trans-Tasman benchmark

Powerful batsman becomes first New Zealander to score a Test double-century against Australia

Ross Taylor has gone where no New Zealander has gone before, becoming the first Black Caps player to score a Test double-century against Australia.

Taylor broke the legendary Martin Crowe's 30-year-old mark of 188 to achieve the highest score by a Kiwi against the Australians, kicking on to reach 200 as New Zealand dominated day three of this second Test in Perth. 

WATCH: Second Session highlights

Taylor and Kane Williamson (166) were in complete command for much of proceedings, replicating the feats of David Warner and Usman Khawaja on day one as both registered three figures and combined for a record-breaking partnership on a pitch that continued to heavily favour the batsmen.

The 31-year-old, who looked out of form and susceptible to the short ball in making 0 and 26 in the first Test in Brisbane, came out playing his shots on day three and his approach reaped handsome rewards.

After surviving some nervy moments against another short-pitched examination, Taylor quickly found his fluent best, taking a particular liking to Mitchell Johnson, against whom he scored at a strike-rate of better than 100 throughout his innings.

It's the first Test double-century by a touring batsman in Australia since Kevin Pietersen's 227 during the 2010-11 Ashes, and the first by an overseas player in Tests at the WACA.

The partnership between Taylor and Williamson meanwhile, is the highest ever by a New Zealand pair against Australia, surpassing the 253 that Nathan Astle and Adam Parore put on for the eighth wicket at the same venue back in 2001. 

WATCH: Taylor survives Starc's lightning spell

It was a 13th Test hundred for Taylor, and a second double century in his 66-Test career, moving him past Williamson (12) and behind only Martin Crowe's mark of 17 among New Zealanders.

It was also his second hundred against Australia in his eighth Test against them, following on from his stunning 81-ball century effort in Hamilton in 2010.

In moving to 208 shortly before drinks in the final session, Taylor also became just the fifth New Zealander to reach 5,000 Test runs.