New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson and Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc joined elite company as bat continued to dominate ball on the third day of the second Test against Australia.
In reply to Australia's formidable 559 for nine declared on a placid wicket, the Kiwis were 510 for six at stumps.
Ross Taylor had emerged from a form slump and scored his second Test double century to be a career-best 235 not out, with Mark Craig on seven.
Williamson became one of the four youngest players to reach 12 Test centuries when he made 166, while Starc bowled what is believed to be the fastest recorded delivery in Test cricket.
Williamson rarely looked troubled in posting his second century in as many matches, before mistiming a pull shot off Josh Hazlewood and was caught at mid-on by Mitchell Johnson to end a record 265-run stand with Taylor.
In a game where records have been tumbling with incredible regularity, Taylor posted a new benchmark for visiting players at the WACA and also became the first New Zealander to score a Test double century against Australia.
Starc raised the home crowd from its run-fuelled stupor when he sent down a 160.4 kmph to Taylor. It was part of a fiery spell from the left armer and was the fourth-fastest delivery ever recorded, with Shoaib Akhtar holding record with 161.3 kph. Australian duo Brett lee and Shaun Tait both once clocked at 161.1 kph, and Jeff Thomson is the only other player recorded at over 160.
Brief Scores
Aus: 559/9 lead NZ: 510/6 (Taylor 235*, Williamson 166) trail by 49 runs.
Khawaja suffers injury setback
Emerging Australian batsman Usman Khawaja will be sidelined for at least two Tests by a hamstring injury.
The 28-year-old strained his left hamstring in the field on the second day of the third Test against New Zealand at the WACA Ground.