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Australia have beaten New Zealand by seven wickets in Christchurch to take the series 2-0 and regain the number one Test ranking.
Needing just 130 runs to win at the start of Day 5, the Aussies struggled against the pace and bounce of Neil Wagner in the opening half hour.
However, it was Tim Southee who picked up Usman Khawaja in the morning session, for 45.
Steve Smith came out with an aggressive mindset, slashing and hooking anything short he could get his bat to, as the skipper pushed for victory before lunch. The forced acceleration saw the downfall of Joe Burns with an over to go before the interval, after piling on 65 runs from a tough 162 balls.
Australia went into the break having scored 115 runs, and it didn’t take long for Smith and Adam Voges to add the final 16 runs to cement their team’s spot at the top of the Test rankings.
Joe Burns was named man of the match for his scintillating 170 in the first innings and fighting 65 in the second.
Match scores
New Zealand – 370 (65.4) and 335 (111.1)
Australia – 505 (153.1) and 201 (54)
Australia are in prime position heading into Day 5 of the second Test, needing 131 runs for victory, while New Zealand need to knock over nine more wickets. Join The Roar for all the action and commentary coming out of the last day in the series, starting from 8:30am (AEDT).
Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja occupy the crease after steering the visitors comfortably to 1/70 at the end of Day 4, and will resume on 27 and 19 respectively.
New Zealand fought hard early on Day 4, on the back of a brilliantly patient 97 from Kane Williamson. The incoming captain was finally bowled by Jackson Bird, who earned career best figures of 5/59.
More cricket:
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» Scorecard: New Zealand vs Australia second Test
It was the unexpected 118-run partnership between Neil Wagner and Matt Henry for the eighth wicket that frustrated the Aussie bowling attack before trundling the final three wickets shortly after the tea break to end the innings on 335, with a lead of 201 runs.
Not often does a team scoring over 300 in each innings find themselves on the wrong end of the stick at Day 5, but New Zealand have a big fight this morning if they want to pull off a huge victory.
Can Australia cruise to a series whitewash? Or will Brendon McCullum’s men show their fight and determination to take back the second Test? Join The Roar from 8:30am (AEDT) for all the action, and be sure to add your comments below.
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