Alex Carey scored a powerful 98 not out as Australia chased down its 279-run victory goal to beat New Zealand by three wickets earlier than tea on the fourth day of the second Take a look at in Christchurch on Monday, sweeping the sequence 2-0.
Rain at Hagley Oval delayed the beginning of Australia’s pursuit of the 202 runs it nonetheless wanted for victory and New Zealand skipper Tim Southee struck early to dismiss Travis Head and scale back the vacationers to 80-5.
Carey and Mitchell Marsh (80) each had scares however put collectively a partnership of 140 for the sixth wicket to subdue the group and take the guests to inside 60 runs of their goal.
Ben Sears (4-90) revived New Zealand hopes of a primary house win over its neighbour in 31 years when he eliminated Marsh and Mitchell Starc in successive balls however Carey and skipper Pat Cummins (32) bought Australia throughout the road on 281-7.
“It was fairly tense,” mentioned Cummins, who hit the successful runs with a 4 to the purpose boundary.
“I believe the story of this sequence was in key moments, somebody stood up and made themselves a match-winner so yeah, preserve discovering methods to win. It’s a fairly superior squad.”
Southee, who with fellow stalwart Kane Williamson was enjoying his one centesimal Take a look at, mentioned he thought the competition had been an important advert for the longest type of the sport.
“I believe clearly the partnership with Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey … simply form of broke the again of our assault,” he mentioned.
“When you’re enjoying in opposition to one of the best facet on the planet, you’ve bought to be a bit higher for a bit longer.”
Southee gave New Zealand the right begin to the day when he eliminated Head with the eighth supply of the opening session.
Looking back, nonetheless, Rachin Ravindra fumbling a simple catch that may have despatched again Marsh for 28 off the earlier supply was maybe the extra vital second.
Wicketkeeper Carey, who took 10 catches behind the stumps over New Zealand’s two innings, got here out to affix Marsh and so they moved in the direction of the goal at a good lick.
Carey stored his wicket by advantage of critiques when he was on 19 and 37, whereas Marsh was saved on 55 when the know-how confirmed the tiniest little bit of bat on a Glenn Phillips supply that hit him on the toe.
SEARS DOUBLE STRIKE
Lunch got here and went with the ambiance flat at Hagley Oval however the crowd burst into life when seamer Sears was introduced on and trapped Marsh lbw earlier than having Starc caught by Will Younger at sq. leg.
Cummins got here in to fend away the hat-trick ball and Carey survived one other scare when Phillips failed to succeed in a troublesome catch that may have given Sears a five-wicket haul on his Take a look at debut.
The New Zealand bowlers lacked nothing in effort however edges flashed large of the cordon and something on the stumps was blocked as Australia’s goal ticked down.
Carey was finally denied his second Take a look at century however will care little as he and his captain, who struck a 4 to the purpose boundary to seal the win, steered his nation to a sixth win in seven Checks over the Australasian summer season.
The Black Caps stay with only one Take a look at win in 24 makes an attempt in opposition to their closest rival this century, whereas the victory will see the Australians transfer above them into second place within the World Take a look at Championships standings behind India.