Australia forced to field team masseur during day-night Test against New Zealand, and move backfires as Grant Baldwin suffers fielding gaffe

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Grant Baldwin, 28, last played for Victoria's second XI in 2008
But Team masseur took to the field to cover Mitchell Starc's injury
Baldwin embarrassingly lets ball through his legs, costing side three runs
Australia on the brink of win inside three days after umpiring error

Published: 07:00 EST, 28 November 2015 | Updated: 11:28 EST, 28 November 2015

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There comes a time when most players who have only reached second XI cricket give up on their dreams of playing for their country.

But that time had not arrived, apparently, for Grant Baldwin, the Australian team masseur and logistics assistant.

With Mitchell Starc off the field with an ankle injury Baldwin, who last played for Victoria's second team back in 2008, came on to play in the first ever day-night Test match.

Australian team masseur Grant Baldwin lets the ball through his legs when fielding in the Test match

An embarrassed Baldwin had to chase back and pick the ball up, costing his side three runs on day two

The 28-year-old last played for Victoria's second XI in 2008, but came on for the injured Mitchell Starc

But the dream soon turned into a nightmare for the 28-year-old, who let a routine stop through his legs, costing his side three runs.

Baldwin was drafted in after Starc's injury and James Pattinson's release to play in a Sheffield Shield match, and took part in both days so far.

But his error means he is unlikely to be on the field again as Australia close in on victory following a controversial second day in Adelaide.

Paceman Josh Hazlewood tore through New Zealand's batsmen to give the hosts a chance of winning within three days after a farcical third umpire decision stole the tourists' momentum during the third test on Saturday.

Baldwin's mistake did not prevent his team taking a commanding position by the end of the second day

Hazlewood shone under the floodlights of Adelaide Oval with three wickets and New Zealand slumped to 116-5 at the close of a roller-coaster day two, hounded by the hooping pink ball.

The Black Caps clung precariously to a 94-run lead after 13 wickets tumbled through the course of the day, adding to the 12 that fell on a frenetic day one.

Debutant all-rounder Mitchell Santner (13 not out) and BJ Watling (7) were left to salvage something from the wreckage but New Zealand's hopes of a series-levelling victory looked fraught as darkness descended.

Earlier in brilliant sunshine, the tourists had dominated in the field and Australia were on the ropes at 118-8, in reply to 202.

Nathan Lyon was controversially given not out earlier in the day when he appeared to edge to slip

Lyon had already started walking off after watching the review, but was called back by the third umpire

But third umpire Nigel Llong intervened, thumbing his nose at the decision review technology that strongly suggested spinner Nathan Lyon was out caught in the slips.

A ball from debutant spinner Santner had ricocheted off Lyon's upper arm during an attempted sweep shot and the 'Hot spot' technology showed a mark on his bat.

Though Lyon started walking back to the dressing room, 'Snicko' showed no audio evidence of a nick and Llong's final call after nearly five minutes of deliberation triggered ironic cheers from the crowd of 42,372.