Pat Cummins produces a 'Giant Peach' to rattle Ross Taylor's woodwork

Australia re-ran their winning display in the third and concluding match against New Zealand in the three-Test series in Sydney on Monday. Setting the Kiwis a huge target of 416, the hosts came up with a clinical show to polish them off for a paltry 136 — their lowest total this series — to win by 279 runs. New Zealand, plagued by a number of illnesses, were forced to make five changes in their team for this Test.

Hence, it was always an uphill task to match the formidable Australian side especially without the service of key batsmen like Kane Williamson. Led by Tom Latham, New Zealand made 256 runs in their first innings to concede a lead of 198 runs. Australia then came out strong in their second essay to declare on 217 for 2 with opener David Warner slamming a hundred.

The hosts’ bowlers then ran through the visitors’ top order to leave them reeling at 38 for 5. Nathan Lyon took a fifer but the fast bowlers came up with a strong show to concede only 62 runs in 26 overs.

Pat Cummins churns out a beauty

Talks were over Pat Cummins for his gem of a delivery that got rid of New Zealand’s most experienced batsman Ross Taylor. It was in the 19th over when the No.1 bowler in Tests bowled wide of the crease and angled it in full. It nipped away a touch and the batsman played down the wrong line to allow the ball to beat him and rattle the off stump. Taylor fell for only 22 though he managed to better former captain Stephen Fleming’s record as the highest scorer for the Kiwis in Tests with 7,174 runs.

New Zealand could have fallen for a worse total but for Colin de Grandhomme who hit 52 to help his team cross the three-figure mark. But it was not enough to stop Australia from winning their fifth consecutive Test and they now have 296 points, second only to India’s 360, though they have played three matches more.