NZ v Aus 2nd Test Review: Australia clinch series with a 7-wicket win

An impressive 7-wicket win over New Zealand at Christchurch clinch the Test series 2-0. The victory sees Australia reach the top of the ICC Test rankings. Brendon McCullum’s swansong Test match thus proved to be a horrendous occasion.

The pitch was a green-top as expected by one and all. Steve Smith once again won the toss and opted to field first. The New Zealand top order collapsed like a pack of cards before the arrival of Brendon McCullum. When the New Zealand skipper made his entry, the hosts were struggling at 37/3. However, McCullum topped his final Test by putting the Australian bowling attack to the sword. He was caught at gully by Mitchell Marsh only for the umpire to adjudge a no ball from James Pattinson. McCullum made the Aussies pay by smashing a quick-fire century, breaking the record for the fastest century in Test cricket. Corey Anderson and BJ Watling also assisted their skipper as the Black Caps reached 370 in the first innings.

Joe Burns and Steve Smith were once again the heroes of the first innings. They stitched a partnership of 289 which included both of them reaching their centuries. Burns smashed a mammoth 170 before being dismissed by Neil Wagner. Wagner proved to be almost unplayable as he removed Australia skipper Steve Smith soon after. Adam Voges also joined in with a useful 60. The day however, belonged to Neil Wagner as he claimed 6 of the Australian wickets. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 505, with a lead of 135 runs.

James Pattinson began from where he left off in the first innings as he removed Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls in quick succession. The fall of Brendon McCullum saw the Kiwis face the uneasy prospect of an innings defeat. Kane Williamson scored 97 as the Kiwis led a brief revival. He was well supported at the other end by Corey Anderson as the latter played an un-characteristic innings of 40 off 148 balls. Enter Jackson Bird. Bird picked up the first ever five-wicket haul of his career courtesy of a magnificent display of swing bowling. Matt Henry smashed 66 as New Zealand ended their second innings on 335 and setting a target of 201 for the Aussies.

Australia was pegged back early on in the chase as Neil Wagner snapped up David Warner with the score at 54. Usman Khawaja was dismissed for a well-made 45 as the Australian score just crossed 100. Reunited with his skipper, Burns began to make a mockery of the New Zealand attack as Australia inched closed to victory. Burns made 65 as Australia reached the total of 201 with relative ease, winning the match by 7 wickets. Joe Burns was adjudged the man of the match for his performance.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 1st Innings – 370 all out (McCullum 145; Lyon 3/61)

Australia 1st Innings – 505 all out (Burns 170; Wagner 6/106)

New Zealand 2nd Innings – 335 all out (Henry 66; Bird 5/79)

Australia 2nd Innings – 201/3 (Burns 65; Southee 1/30)

Man of the Match: Joe Burns