The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
Pat Cummins joins his teammates in the middle and now they pose with the Trans-Tasman trophy. Cummins once again hit the winning runs, just like how he did against England at Edgbaston. That's that from Australia's tour of New Zealand as the series and our coverage comes to an end. This has been Lavil Saldanha alongside my colleague, Pradeep signing off. We hope you enjoyed our coverage for this tour. Hop tabs on Sportskeeda to follow the latest sporting action. We hope to see you sometime soon, until then, CIAO!
Pat Cummins, Australian captain: It was an amazing win, everyone was pretty tense in the middle for the last couple of hours. Didn't know he (Carey) was on 98, it would have been pretty embarrassing for us to celebrate then. The toss helped up and we were pretty surprised at how well the game moved on from the first day and then the pitch flattened out, making it tough for the bowlers. The first innings lead was pretty pivotal. We've been on the other side of it plenty of times - if the scoreboard's not moving you always feel you're in the game but if you're chipping away it feels like things are happening pretty quickly. We have an experienced side and that has helped up. During pivotal moments, one guy stood up and won the game for us. Coming off playing tests in the last 6-7 months, we will miss playing the format soon.
Tim Southee, New Zealand captain: It was a great test match. The partnership between Carey and Marsh broke the back of our attack but an exciting end to the day. When you're playing the number one side in the world, you want to be ahead but heading into day 4 we had both results as a possibility. Everyone makes mistakes in the middle and no one wants to drop catches. Matt Henry has gone from strength to strength. He was a rotation played for us earlier but has been really good at making an impact in the two tests that were played.
Matt Henry is the Player of the Series for his 17 wickets. Here's what he has to say: Obviously it's disappointing but at the same time we showed real fight out there. The way that they played, they kept the runs ticking over and for us we needed to take wickets. The way Ben Sears went about his work and broke the game open was brilliant but unfortunately it wasn't to be. It's always nice to play on your home track. There's a bit of bounce there and something on offer for the seamers so nice to play here at Hagley. It's great to be a part of what's been a great New Zealand bowling lineup for a long time. Tim's been outstanding and it's great to be bowling alongside him. Always nice to be able to contribute with the bat. We pride ourselves on being able to come up with the runs.
Alex Carey is the Player of the Match for his stunning unbeaten 98. Here's what he has to say: I am (thrilled). IUt was a great series really. This game ebbed and flowed. Our backs against our wall this morning - they came out and put us under pressure last evening - and it was great to get across the line. Two quality bowlers in Tim and Matt Henry who had an amazing series. I thought Mitch Marsh's intent was outstanding, he got us going. But it was certainly tough early. Travis Head's another player who keeps the scoreboard going. That was the message this morning - 'let's go out and play our way, if we see an opportunity, take it'. I was happy with that (laughs when told about Cummins scoring the last run even as he ended on 98). I didn't want to get on strike (laughs).
Australia win by 3 wickets and win the 2-match test series 2-0
New Zealand: 162 & 372 Australia: 256 & 281/7
Alex Carey: 98 (123b)* | Mitchell Marsh 80(102b) Ben Sears: 4/90 (17 overs) | Matt Henry: 2/94 (19 overs)
This has been a fascinating win here for the Kangaroos who have thumped the Kiwis and will take the series win here. They have been excellent throughout the tour, right from the T20I series and then the two test matches. Congratulations to Australia who sweep the entire tour and commiserations to New Zealand, whose wait for a win over Australia at home (in tests) extends to 31 years.
The chase didn't get off to the best of the starts as Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja were dismissed cheaply. Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green walked out to bat earlier than expected but were dismissed relatively quickly as well. Australia were staring down the barrel as they found themselves on 34/4 after 14.2 overs. Travis Head stood in the middle and did provide some solidity but was dismissed as early as the second over of today's play.
Out in the middle were the duo of Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey. They were looking to chase down 200-odd at the start of the day and batted as if there was going to be rain in the following sessions as well. Well, it did rain, but only runs as the duo dispatched the bad balls to the fence and picked up singles and doubles whenever possible. Both got to their half-centuries and looked to keep going before Marsh was dismissed by a close call by the on-field umpire and Starc was sent back off the very first ball he faced.
Carey was out in the middle and was joined by his skipper, Pat Cummins, who might have walked out in the middle of the umpteenth time to bail his side out in a chase. The duo stitched a 50-run partnership and ensured that everything ended nicely and in their favour, bringing their exciting home summer to an end.
Heat goes out to New Zealand, who were good with the ball yesterday but today, looked a pale shadow of themselves. Ben Sears was the best of the lot as he picked up 4 wickets, with 2 coming at a time when they desperately needed it. Matt Henry was excellent as well as he blew the top order away with his two wickets. Southee was the only other bowler who picked up a wicket. New Zealand were also quite sloppy in the field and could have stopped the Aussies from picking up easy ones and twos on offer as well.
Let's now go down to see what the players and the captains have to say.
65
overs
281/7score
4
1
0
0
0
4
runs
Pat Cummins*
32(44)
Alex Carey
98(123)
Ben Sears
4/90
64.6 Ben Sears to Pat Cummins, FOUR! AUSTRALIA WIN, TAKES THE SERIES 2-0! Cummins ice-cool in yet another run chase, what about that for an innings from Alex Carey, coming off age. Short outside the off-stump, Cummins stood tall and punched it through the cover point region, races away and Cummins seals the deal in style.
64.5 Ben Sears to Pat Cummins, OH! Under edge, doesn't carry to Blundell. Back of a length outside the off-stump, keeps low and Cummins looks to cut and gets a thick under edge.
64.4 Ben Sears to Pat Cummins, short delivery on the fourth stump, Cummins leans back to cut that one away but ends up chopping it into the off-side for no run.
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Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Pat Cummins
*
Ben Sears
Video
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