Australia crush New Zealand by 279 runs to whitewash the series
It was another dominating display by the Australian team as
they whitewashed New Zealand by 279 runs on the fourth day of 3rd
Test match played at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG on Monday. With this win,
Australia have strengthened their 2nd position with 290 points in
latest ICC Test Championship points table.
Starting on the overnight score of 40 for 0, the explosive
David Warner and Joe Burns looked in aggressive touch putting pressure on Kiwis
bowlers. Warner showed his class against all Kiwis bowlers to reach his fifty
off 82 balls. Todd Astle finally got the breakthrough for New Zealand
dismissing Joe Burns for 40. Burns and Warner added 107 runs for opening
wicket. Marnus Labuschagne came to the crease and joined in the fun with
Warner. At lunch break, Australia were 172 for 1.
After the lunch break, Warner and Labuschagne enjoyed their
batting. Warner reached his century off 147 balls while Labuschagne completed
his half-century off 64 runs. New Zealand were awarded five penalty runs to
their first innings as Warner ran on the pitch. With the wicket of Labuschagne
for 53, the Australian captain Tim Paine declared their innings on 217 for 2.
Labuschagne and Warner added 110 runs for the 2nd wicket.
In reply to 416 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for
Kiwis as Tom Blundell was caught brilliantly by Nathan Lyon with Mitchell Starc
as the bowler. Starc struck again by getting the wicket of Tom Latham to make
the matter worst for the visitors. Ross Taylor and Jeet Raval tried their best
to stay at the crease before Nathan Lyon got into act by dismissing Raval and
Glenn Phillips in quick succession. At the tea break, New Zealand were in deep
trouble at 27 for 4.
After the tea break, Ross Taylor became the highest run
getter for New Zealand in Test match. Pat Cummins bowled a beauty to dismiss
Taylor for 22. Colin de Grandhomme enjoyed himself with his batting playing
attacking strokes against the Australian bowling line up. BJ Watling looked
solid as ever with his defensive technique. De Grandhomme reached his fifty off
67 balls and was soon dismissed by Nathan Lyon. De Grandhomme and Watling added
69 runs for the 6th wicket. Todd Astle played some lovely strokes
before being brilliantly caught by James Pattinson running. BJ Watling was the
final batsman dismissed as Matt Henry did not come to bat due to an injury.
Australia bowled out New Zealand for 138 runs in to win the match by 279 runs.
Australia 454 in 150.1 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 215, Steve
Smith 63, Warner 45, Neil Wagner 3/66, Colin de Grandhomme 3/78) and 217 for 2
in 52 overs ( David Warner 111*, Labuschagne 59 Burns 40, Todd Astle 1/41) beat
New Zealand 256 in 95.4 overs (Glenn Phillips 52, Tom Latham 49, Nathan Lyon
5/68, Pat Cummins 3/ 44) and 138 in 47.5
overs ( Colin de Grandhomme 52, Nathan Lyon 5/50, Mitchell Starc 3/25) by 279
runs.
After whitewashing Pakistan and New Zealand in the home
season, Australia have earned 240 runs in total. Marnus Labuschagne was named
the man of the match for his 215 and man of the series for his record breaking
performances in 3 matches.
 |
| Australia crush NZ by 279 runs to whitewash NZ 3-0 |
Comments