RESULT: Australia won by seven wickets
Australia has won the second ANZ Test by seven wickets at Hagley Oval, while the BLACKCAPS said farewell to inspirational captain Brendon McCullum.
Requiring 131 to win with nine wickets in hand at the start of the day, half-centuries to Joe Burns (65) and Steve Smith (53*) got Australia across the line soon after lunch.
While the loss was disappointing for the BLACKCAPS, it was also an emotional day as Brendon McCullum walked off the park with his New Zealand whites on for the final time.
The skipper, who has been lauded by players and cricketting figures across the world in recent days, got a rousing reception from the public as he spoke at the post-match presentation, making special mention to the cricket fans across New Zealand for their support.
With Kane Williamson (97), Corey Anderson (40), BJ Watling (46) and Matt Henry (66) having scrapped the BLACKCAPS to a lead of 200, Australia still had some work to do.
Once again Neil Wagner was a threat to the Australian batsmen and took the scalp of David Warner for 22. Australia were 70-1 at stumps on day four, but the BLACKCAPS would come out fighting the next day.
A string of near misses didn't go to hand for the home side, with Usman Khawaja edging between the keeper and second slip in the third over of the day.
The bowlers continued to toil, but Australia also began to accumulate runs. Tim Southee found the edge of Khawaja to send him on his way and Boult bowled Burns, but unfortunately it was too little too late.
The victory will see Australia finish the ICC calendar year as the number one ranked Test side in the world.
The BLACKCAPS next play in the ICC World Twenty20 in India and leave on March 3.
DAY THREE
BLACKCAPS 370 (Brendon McCullum 145, Corey Anderson 72) & 121-4 (Kane Williamson 45*)
Australia 505 (Joe Burns 170, Steve Smith 138, Neil Wagner 6-106)
Career best figures of 6-106 from Neil Wagner has given the BLACKCAPS a chance heading into day four of the second ANZ Test against Australia at Hagley Oval.
Scorecard
Wagner’s sustained and superbly accurate barrage of short-pitched bowling saw Australia bowled out for 505 with a first innings lead of 135. The BLACKCAPS in reply are 121/4, still trailing by 14 runs.
Having resumed at 363/4, Australia looked set to bat the BLACKCAPS out of the match, with the prolific Adam Voges (60) playing his part.
But after lunch Wagner had Hagley in full chorus again, ripping through the middle and lower-order with a fearsome spell of bowling.
The 29-year-old took all six of his wickets with bouncers, delivering around 25 overs of short-pitched deliveries, all around the 140kph mark.
After taking the final wicket of Josh Hazlewood. Wagner walked off to an ovation, having kept the BLACKCAPS hopes alive.
The home side though would struggle to build a sustained partnership, falling to 72/3 after 28 overs. That brought to the crease Brendon McCullum, playing his last ever innings for the BLACKCAPS.
There was certainly emotion in the atmosphere ad the captain joined Kane Williamson in the middle, as the went about cutting into the runs deficit.
In his last scoring shot, McCullum hit Hazlewood for a huge six over square-leg. It was a fitting way to end his career, oing out with the most Test sixes in history (107)
A superb catch from David Warner saw him dismissed off Hazlewood next ball, leaving the BLACKCAP at 105/4.
Williamson though was a rock for the BLACKCAPS and alongside Corey Anderson guided the side through to stumps without further loss.
While certainly behind, the BLACKCAPS will know another 200 runs will not leave Australia with an easy chase.
With Williamson still at the crease, anything is possible.
DAY TWO
BLACKCAPS 370 (Brendon McCullum 145, Corey Anderson 72)
Australia 363-4 (Joe Burns 170, Steve Smith 138, Neil Wagner 2-63)
A mammoth 189 run stand between Joe Burns (170) and Steve Smith (138) has thrust Australia into a strong position after day two at Hagley Oval.
Australia trails the BLACKCAPS by just seven runs, reaching 363-4 at stumps.
It was a torrid day of toil for the BLACKCAPS bowlers, but two late wickets from Neil Wagner breather life into their cause in the final session, dismissing both established batsman.
The day has started well, with Trent Boult finding the edge of the in-form Usman Khawaja (24) early in the opening session.
At 67-2 Australia was under pressure, but the forth-coming partnership was one of supreme class, with Burns and Smith not giving any chances.
Burns was first to raise his bat, bringing up a century after 191 balls. Smith would join his team mate in three figures soon after, taking 195 balls to reach the milestone.
It looked likely the pair would surpass the BLACKCAPS total before the end of the day, but some aggressive short-pitched bowling from Wagner finally gave the home side some reward for their grind.
In almost replica fashion, Burns and Smith went to pull Wagner, but found the safe hands of Martin Guptill at backward square leg instead. It was a combination of clever bowling, good field placing and impressive catching – and huge for the BLACKCAPS hopes heading into day three.
Nathan Lyon (night-watchman) will resume with Adam Voges, with the BLACKCAPS desperate to limit Australia’s first-innings advantage.
DAY ONE
BLACKCAPS 370 (Brendon McCullum 145, Corey Anderson 72)
Australia 57-1 (Joe Burns 27*)
There was something romantic about what unfolded on day one of the second ANZ Test between New Zealand and Australia.
Scorecard
Brendon McCullum produced a magical innings in his final match, blasting the fastest century in Test cricket history.
It took the inspirational skipper just 54 balls to reach three digits, mesmerizing the sell out crowd with a knock they’re unlikely to forget.
Having been sent in on a green seaming pitch, McCullum guided the BLACKCAPS to a fast paced 370 for the first innings.
The final toss
In response, Australia are 57-1, trailing by 313 runs.
The start of the day hadn’t promised the fireworks which were forthcoming, with McCullum once again unsuccessful at the toss. A tough first session of batting ensued, with the BLACKCAPS heading to lunch at 73-3.
But staying true to the way he’s played throughout his career, McCullum chose to attack instead of defend, changing the momentum of the game with almost immediate effect.
He punished everything and everyone, including brutalizing Mitchell Marsh’s first over for 21 runs.
With each strike the mood around Hagley lifted, the atmosphere becoming something special. As McCullum flew into the 90s, it became obvious that Viv Richards’ record of a 56 ball century was under serious threat.
A four through extras cover confirmed that Brendon Barrie McCullum was now the new owner of the fastest Test century – the crowd stood and applauded with vigour.
It was a performance which meant so much to his team and the position they were in, but was also a fitting record for McCullum to attain in his final Test, having electrified spectators throughout his career.
He was also one half of a record fifth wicket partnership for the BLACKCAPS against Australia, with him and Corey Anderson (72) putting on 181 runs together.
The pair attacked relentlessly, going at close to 10 an over for much of their stand. It would take a sensational catch from Nathan Lyon to end the fireworks, running in from the boundary and sprawling forward to send McCullum on his way.
Anderson went not long after, but the BLACKCAPS lower order continued to wag, with BJ Watling (58) combining with the bowlers to add some crucial late runs.
Having scored at a run-rate at 5.63 during their innings, the BLACKCAPS still had 22 overs to bowl after they were dismissed.
The pitch still had something to offer and Trent Boult took advantage when he enticed the edge of David Warner (12) in the eighth over.
Joe Burns (27*) and Usman Khawaja (18*) occupied the crease until stumps after that, but the BLACKCAPS will return tomorrow with their tails up.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, McCullum and the BLACKCAPS find themselves in a handy position.
