Australia registered a resounding victory in the Test in Christchurch as Alex Carey scored 98 runs to challenge New Zealand to a 2-0 series victory. Carey and Mitch Marsh, who scored 80 runs, got the job done for Australia, who fell behind at 4-34 to win 281-7.
After losing 80-5 to Travis Head (18) early on, Marsh and Carey put on a combined 140 – the biggest partnership at the most pressure-packed time of the series. New Zealand debutant Ben Sears provided a huge shock to the Aussies, knocking out Marsh with two goals and then Mitchell Starc , reducing the visitors’ deficit to 220-7.
After Pat Cummins completed a hat-trick, the captain played a steady role alongside the goalkeeper to lead Australia to victory in their final game of the summer.
Cummins denied Carey a chance of a century, taking 32 off 44, leaving his team-mates just shy of a century. The two didn’t mind and hugged in the middle after the captain scored with a boundary.
Cummins’ performance until the end was reminiscent of the decisive moment in last year’s first Ashes Test when Australia tied the series at 283 at Edgbaston. While the Australian team’s fight must be applauded, the victory at Hagley Oval was more of a piecemeal victory after a few failed bats.
On a tense day in the South Island, the New Zealand bowlers were unable to cash in on a rain delay of an hour at the start of the match. Nine wickets in the first three days suggested Matt Henry would be dangerous, but it was Tim Southee who caused the most trouble.
Marsh and Hyde both contributed their wickets in Southee’s first over of the day, both cutting straight through to separate the balls.
Rachin Ravindra bowled a wicket to give Marsh a reprieve and ran away, but when Head delivered a catch-up shot to the left-hander on the next delivery, Will ·Will Young made no mistakes. Ravindra’s miss was a reminder of the gap in defensive skills: the Blackcaps conceded nine chances in two Tests.
Carey stood in the middle with Marsh, and the two began a quick chase. Australia had two full days to achieve their target, but the new ball after 80 overs stood out given the threat posed by New Zealand.
Their century stand was not without a chance: Marsh nearly carried on off Southey’s bowling, while Carey fell to the right in two reviews. The South Australian started the match and raised his bat with a half-century in the penultimate over before lunch.
Thanks largely to the expensive Scott Kuggeleijn – who cost his team 10 byes in a match – Australia scored 62 in their last 10 overs before the main break point.
Sears batted in his first over after lunch, driving Marsh LBW and Starc out to square leg, beaten on pace. Under lights, Glenn Phillips, Southee and Henry all tried to explore the eighth wicket but could not find the next breakthrough.
The victory was only Australia’s second in a 16-match chase with Edgbaston that has taken the 200-plus mark since winning at Hagley Oval in 2016. It also confirmed Australia’s spiritual stranglehold on New Zealand. The Black Caps have not beaten Australia on home soil since 1993 and the Trans-Tasman Cup has been firmly in Australia’s hands for the past 30 years.
