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Australia have won the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval on the third day, and retain the Trans-Tasman Cup with a 2-0 series win over New Zealand.
The win was sealed with an excellent performance from Australia’s middle order as the wickets continued to fall fast and furiously on the third day.
Australia took care of what was left of the New Zealand batting order in the morning, taking BJ Watling early in the first session and then Mark Craig, Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee as the Black Caps pushed towards 200.
When Trent Boult fell – bowled by Josh Hazlewood – and New Zealand’s last wicket was gone they had 205 runs to their name in the last innings, leaving Australia with a total of 187 to chase.
Hazlewood was man of the match, really stepping up in the absence of Mitchell Starc from Australia’s bowlers to take nine wickets across the Test – six of them in the second innings. Australia could not have won without his performance.
When Australia went in to bat the top order again struggled to take hold but fared somewhat better than they had in the first innings. David Warner made 35 – and improvement on his single run in the first innings – but Joe Burns fell for 11, followed by Warner, Steve Smith and Adam Voges.
In a feat that left more than a few of his critics red-faced, Shaun Marsh proved to be the hero of Australia’s batting order. He held up a 49-run partnership with Voges and a 46-run partnership with brother Mitch in what proved to be a match-winning knock.
He was caught by Ross Taylor one run short of a half-century but his 49 proved to be the highest score for Australia in the second innings.
Peter Nevill and Peter Siddle looked set to close out the innings for Australia before Nevill was caught by Watling with victory just two runs away.
Mitch Starc came out to bat, still feeling the effects of a stress fracture sustained on Friday, and while he only faced a single ball, will no doubt be remembered on this occasion for his willingness to play through the pain.
Siddle hit it for two and he and Starc ran to victory, clinching the Test, and the cup, for Australia.