David Warner reacts to the controversy surrounding the Ross Taylor gesture

David Warner is congratulated by Ross Taylor after his double hundred

New Zealand responded magnificently to Australia’s first innings total of 559 for 9 declared, posting a total of 624 all out thanks to a 166 from Kane Willamson and a brilliant 290 from Ross Taylor.

But the Australian cricketers came in for sharp criticism from former fast bowler Dirk Nannes, who openly criticised the team for not congratulating Taylor for his marathon effort.

“In the spirit of the way this game has been played ... I can't help but be disappointed that no one actually went out to him and shook his hand. It's not that hard is it? You don't have a guy bat for a day and half out and there and just not even acknowledge it. That's horrendous sportsmanship," Nannes was quoted saying to stuff.co.nz.

David Warner, who was largely responsible for the hosts reaching the massive score that they did in the first innings, took to Twitter to clarify why nobody shook hands with the Blackcaps right-hander, saying that because he was the last man to get out, he had run off to get ready to bat in the second innings.

His wicket was caught on opposite side of the field then we had to run off to get ready!!!!!! https://t.co/nZ00PkOwUL

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 16, 2015

The Australian cricket team has had a history of not playing according to the spirit of the game. In the infamous Sydney Test of 2008, former Australian skipper Michael Clarke refused to walk even after an Anil Kumble delivery had taken the outside edge of his bat and was caught by Rahul Dravid at slip. He left the crease only when the umpire nodded that he was indeed out.

The same game saw the then captain Ricky Ponting appeal for a bat-pad catch when the ball had clearly touched the ground.

The Aussies could perhaps learn a thing or two from the way former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis reacted during a World Cup game against the West Indies in 2011, when after edging a Suliemann Benn to slip, he asked the slip fielder whether he had caught it cleanly and walked back, rather than waiting for the umpire to go the third umpire and delay proceedings further.

At the end of the 4th day, Australia were 258 for 2 with a lead of 193 runs, and they would be hoping to win the Test on the final day.