Australia has reclaimed the No.1 Test ranking, recording a comfortable seven-wicket win on Day 5 of the second trans-Tasman Test.
The tourists resumed at 1-70 on Wednesday, needing a further 131 runs to defeat New Zealand in Christchurch.
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Steve Smith finished 53 not out, ensuring there were no nervous moments for Australia.
Adam Voges struck the winning runs in the fourth over after lunch on day five but it was fitting that Smith was in the middle.
The 26-year-old’s undefeated streak as captain is now 11 Tests – seven of which are wins – and Australia have come on in leaps and bounds since their miserable Ashes campaign in England last year.
The 2-0 series win lifts Smith’s side to the summit of the International Cricket Council’s rankings.
It is the first time Australia have occupied top spot since 2014.
On top of bragging rights, Australia secured a $US1 million ($A1.39 million) cash prize and the ceremonial championship mace.
Joe Burns set the platform with a career-best knock of 170 in Australia’s first innings and backed it by top-scoring in the second dig.
Man-of-the-match Burns was clean bowled on 65 after the umpires delayed taking lunch, departing when his side needed only 22 runs to win.
The opener faced the brunt of NZ paceman Neil Wagner’s bouncer barrage on Wednesday morning.
Burns copped a glancing blow to the back of his helmet and a painful hit to his shoulder but knuckled down.
The Queenslander weathered it all without taking a risk, only adding to his overnight score of 27 after almost half an hour.
Smith took a more aggressive approach to Wagner’s short-pitched salvo.
Smith slapped the first delivery he faced from Wagner over the fine-leg fence for six.
The skipper unleashed some unorthodox strokes as he continued to treat Wagner with disdain; swatting the ball down the ground at almost every opportunity.
NZ desperately needed quick wickets to have genuine hope of levelling the series and sending Brendon McCullum out a winner.
True to form, McCullum set funky fields.
But it proved proved his undoing in the second over of the day, when the skipper was stationed at floating slip and an edge flew between him and keeper BJ Watling.
Usman Khawaja was on 19 at the time.
Khawaja was finally out edging for 45, with McCullum snaring the catch at first slip.
But Smith stepped up in style, bringing up his half-century in an hour.
Zero Gain
Guest
3 tests to 2 away from home is 'folded'? After we smashed them in the previous series here?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I agree. We haven't been challenged by strong teams. Last time we were, we folded in England.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nothing like a patch of 8 tests in a row against weaker opposition, with only 2 test being away from home to end some doom and gloom.
rasty
Guest
Bit soggy too.
VivGilchrist
Guest
I think he has a chapati on his shoulder....
Don Freo
Guest
Really good action, gives it a rip and great control. Boyce and Zampa are very good too. Fawad crumbles in the big moments. I rate Zampa because he has the extra factor. He refuses to lose. Then there is Agar, Jon Holland is fit again and spin bowling batsmen like Maxi, Webster, Turner and Head could come on too. The big 3 are Zampa, Agar and Swepson....but all behind The GOAT.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Show's I need to pay more attention to the Shield then, doesn't it Don. How do you rate him?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Yeah he does look a good prospect, haven't seen him play the long version.
Internal Fixation
Guest
He is just a bit salty
Darren
Guest
He did do it but didn't have to. They could have bowled line and length and tried to build pressure through suffocating. It wasn't a cheap shot - just a reasonable observation. And the missed Khawaja catch and easy runs to Smith confirm it didn't work.
Don Freo
Guest
He's getting the Shield spot ahead of Boyce for Qld, Tom. Getting a few wickets too.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Swepson? First I've heard of him... Surely nowhere near Boyce and Zampa?
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Ought to be able to buy a few Duke balls to practice with for 1 mill.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I rate Zampa and Boyce. Not sure he'll replace Lyon though, or that we need him to do so. Lyon bowled well in England. If anything, Zampa or Boyce could be good for India in India, but you'd think SOK would be picked before them, and would do a reasonable job there.
Rebel
Guest
I said they had their moments and were competitive. Their problem is they have not been able to sustain anything for too long. The preparation of green tops back fired on a team that can't win a toss. This isn't why they lost but put them in a position to face the worst conditions skewing the result a bit. We have different opinions on what a flogging is. I felt the Windies were flogged. NZ was well beaten by a good side. I would have liked them to play better but I don't believe it's all doom and gloom. Aus has done well and good on them.
While we're at it
Guest
As per Ronan, cant agree with you mate. NZ only managed to capture 59 wickets across 5 test matches, if you take out Adelaide (17) you end up with 42 wickets in 4 matches, or an average just above 10 per match, hardly flattering. In contrast Australia collected 92 NZ wickets. Declarations by Australia made the margins closer, but the much vaunted Kiwi attack misfired from day 1 in Brisbane. Might I add Australia managed to pick up 40 wickets in NZ without their No 1 bowler.
Schtumpy
Guest
Agreed. The attack would have lovely balance with Hazlewood bookended by Starc and Cummins. And Lyon has developed beyond the expectations of many. Now if we could just teach Mitch Marsh to bat......
G
Guest
Hazlewood, Starc and Patto with Cummins coming in for Patto, they could go halves in tests and get injured less!
G
Guest
As SP said, the chup is clearly on your shoulders eh bro
Schtumpy
Guest
Better team won. The howler re Voges in Wellington leaves a taste of mild dissatisfaction but lovely to see all this depth coming through. Khawaja's batting is Mark Waugh beautiful. And if we can get Cummins, Starc and Pattinson on the park at the same time, we will have a truly frightening attack.