Australia wins series against New Zealand
Australia has won the second Test at Hagley Oval, in Christchurch, beating New Zealand by three wickets to claim the series 2-0. Captain Pat Cummins (32) hit the winning runs but the hero was Alex Carey, who finished on 98 not out. Australia collapsed to 5-80 before finishing on 7-281.
Its total of 281-7 completed the 14th-highest successful fourth innings run chase in test history. New Zealand narrowly missed out on its first test win over Australia in New Zealand in 31 years. Its last win in Australia came in Hobart 13 years ago.
Pat Cummins has his big mitts on the Trans-Tasm an Trophy for the first time as captain and a huge smile on his dial. “It was pretty tense,” laughs the Australian skipper. “Pretty nervous for the last couple of hours. Amazing win. The boys were fantastic today.
It was a great series said by Alex Carey who caught 10 catches in a single test match.
Amazing and almost unbelievable win for the boys in the baggy green caps! New Zealand slump, shattered at missing their chance to inflict a first home victory in 31 years on their big brothers. But led by Alex Carey’s epic unbeaten 98, Mitchell Marsh’s muscular eighty and Pat Cummins’ nerveless 32 at the death, the Australians have won the Test and taken the series 2-0.
The Test itself was a classic, as each side snatched back the ascendancy. The Black Caps tried to the last and young debutant fast bowler Ben Sears gave them an almighty sniff when he ripped out Mitchells Marsh and Starc in two sizzling deliveries. But in the end the calm of Cummins and the craft of Carey won the day.
"It ended up being a great Test match," New Zealand captain Tim Southee said.
Alex Carey is named player of the match for his 98 not out.
