Twitter Reaction: Brendon McCullum retires, Australia claim Trans-Tasman Trophy

Australia leapfrogged India to attain the No.1 Test rankings after they convincingly beat hosts New Zealand by 7 wickets to lift the Trans-Tasman trophy.

Chasing a comfortable target of 201, Australia ended day four at 70/. Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja batted solidly before the pair was separated by Tim Southee. Usman Khawaja (45) was the first dismissal of the day as he edged Tim Southee (1 for 30) to Brendon McCullum in the slips, in the New Zealand captain’s last major contribution in Test cricket. The match appeared to meet its end by lunch but Burns’ dismissal for a well made 65 delayed the victory. Captain Smith, however, maintained his aggressive approach and the target was mowed down pretty easily in the end. Steven Smith (53) ended with a half-century to his name.

Adam Voges, who had struck a double century in the first Test, did the honors of hitting the winnings runs. Joe Burns was adjudged as the ‘Man of the Match.’

The 2-0 series sweep also completes a near-perfect Test summer for Australia. They had previously beaten the Black Caps 2-0 in the three-match home series and then carted the West Indies by a margin of 2-0. The Australian team will now travel to South Africa for a three-match Twenty20 series against the Proteas starting on March 4, before heading to India for the World T20.

The series marked the end of Blackcaps legend Brendon McCullum’s international career. He had an eventful farewell Test where he struck the fastest Test century, breaking Sir Viv Richards’ longstanding record. McCullum will still feature in franchise T20 cricket though.

Winners are grinners! #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/Z9Jn1HuPgx

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 24, 2016

Man of the Match goes to Australia's @joeburns441 for his tremendous display with the bat #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/pSt2ELaink

— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2016

Current career Test batting averages for Australia's top 5: Warner 50, Burns 49, Khawaja 50, Smith 60, Voges 96. #NZvAUS

— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) February 24, 2016

Australia defeat New Zealand by 7 wickets to top Test rankings, as McCullum says goodbye. #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/JgdY6ftamp

— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2016

https://twitter.com/AltCricket/status/702277374654681088

Steve Smith is still undefeated as Australia's Test captain #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/7TSfk7WVK2

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) February 24, 2016

With series win Australia now number one Test team in ICC ranking and India slipped to number two

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 24, 2016

Australia are ranked first in Tests and ODIs!!!! #BestTeamInTheWorld #NZvAUS

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) February 24, 2016

Hands shaken. Australia: top of the league. #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/DWb5OscWk9

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) February 24, 2016

Its amusing how many people thought Boult and Southee would demolish Australia this summer, with bowling averages of 37 & 49 vs Australia.

— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) February 23, 2016

Australia whitewashed New Zealand by 2-0 to regain the No.1 spot in the ICC test team #rankings. #NZvAUS

— Shahzad Tirmizi Syed (@shahzadtirmizi) February 24, 2016

Concludes Brendum McCullum Test career, NZ will miss him, We will miss him. Thanks for the memories, Baz!#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/6mc0yVA7sh

— Cricmonomaniac (@Cricmonomaniac) February 24, 2016

Brendon McCullum's horse El Doute just won at 59-1. Probably not so sad about the Test loss now.#NZvAus

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) February 24, 2016

India became the #1 Test team because South Africa lost to England…now, loses that spot to Australia because they beat NZ. All in 30 days!

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 24, 2016

https://twitter.com/jbellnz1/status/702336245066674184

Action continues at Hagley Oval with ground staff enjoying the fruits of their labour #aapsport #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/Ef2tYs3GOx

— Rob Forsaith (@robforsaith) February 24, 2016

#ByeBaz #NZvAUS It's gonna be a lil weird seeing the @BLACKCAPS without you! pic.twitter.com/g2Nxzcxcf4

— Hayf ☺ (@HufSawKhan) February 24, 2016

https://twitter.com/ArjGiese/status/702308384930828288

Brendon McCullum left with no regrets as curtain comes down on his glittering career. pic.twitter.com/aotNJ3QlOb

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 24, 2016

Batsmen now retired from international cricket, but on current form, will be missed from #CWCT20 2016
Brendon McCullum
Kumar Sangakkara

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 23, 2016