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Australias has secured a 2-0 series whitewash over New Zealand after wicketkeeper Alex Carey steered the tourists towards a dramatic three-wicket victory in Christchurch on Monday.
The South Australian scored an unbeaten 98, receiving support from all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (80) and captain Pat Cummins (32*) as Australia successfully chased the 279-run target at Hagley Oval.
It was Australia’s highest successful run chase against New Zealand in Tests, while the Black Caps are still searching for a first Test win over their trans-Tasman rivals on home soil since 1993.
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Agony to ecstasy within two balls | 01:38
STEVE SMITH — 2
11 and 9
There remains lingering uncertainty over Smith’s elevation to opener following another pair of failures with the bat in Christchurch this week.
After suffering a brain fade in the first innings, the New South Welshman was trapped on the pads yet again on day three, wasting a review before trudging off.
He looked vulnerable throughout his brief stay at the crease on Sunday, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll open again at Test level.
Perplexed Smith reviews… sent packing! | 01:55
USMAN KHAWAJA — 3
16 and 11
After an unlucky dismissal in the first innings, where the ball ricocheted off his thigh guard onto the stumps, Khawaja nicked towards the slips cordon amid a frantic collapse on day three.
It has now been 23 innings since the Queenslander scored a Test hundred.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 8
90 and 6
In a timely return to form, Labuschagne rescued Australia in the first innings at Hagley Oval, where he was the only player to score more than 28.
The Queenslander fell ten runs short of a drought-breaking hundred before getting worked over by Black Caps debutant Ben Sears on day three.
Meanwhile, he dropped a chance in the slips cordon during New Zealand’s second innings, with Scott Kuggeleijn adding a further 42 runs after the early reprieve.
Marnus fires for Aussies against NZ | 02:56
CAMERON GREEN — 4
25 and 5, 1-21 and 1-48
The West Australian couldn’t replicate his Wellington heroics at Hagley Oval this week, dismissed cheaply in both innings.
After a hesitant forward press proved his undoing on day one, Green was caught in two minds on Sunday evening, chopping back onto his stumps while attempting to leave the Kookaburra.
With the ball, he knocked over New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell in both innings, albeit not with his finest deliveries.
TRAVIS HEAD — 3
21 and 18
After making a start in both innings, Head threw his wicket away when Australia desperately needed a partnership with reckless back-foot shots.
The South Australian bottom-edged a pull shot against Matt Henry on day one before slapping the first delivery he faced against rival captain Tim Southee on Monday straight to point.
He has passed fifty just once in his 16 most recent Test innings.
MITCHELL MARSH — 8
0 and 80, 0-10 and 0-19
Things were looking bleak for Marsh at Hagley Oval after he registered his second-consecutive duck in the first innings, also failing to snare a wicket.
However, the West Australian clobbered his highest score in the fourth innings of a Test on Monday to put the tourists within touching distance of a record chase.
The 32-year-old also held onto a low catch in the slips cordon on day one, helping Australia clinch its first breakthrough of the contest.
‘You gotta go!’ Review pays off for NZ | 00:58
ALEX CAREY — 9
14 and 98*, ten catches
Redemption.
Carey started the Christchurch Test terribly, dropping a regulation catch on day two after throwing his wicket away with a needless sweep shot in the first innings.
However, the South Australian combined with Mitchell Marsh for a career-defining partnership on Monday to steer the tourists towards a remarkable victory.
He also finished the match with ten catches, equalling the national record set by the legendary Adam Gilchrist in 2000.
MITCHELL STARC — 5
3-59 and 1-94
Starc was at the peak of his powers in the first innings, producing a trademark inswinging yorker to remove New Zealand’s Scott Kuggeleijn for a golden duck.
However, the left-armed quick was woeful with the second new ball on day three, leaking costly runs with wayward deliveries throughout the afternoon session.
He was comfortably Australia’s most expensive bowler in both innings, conceding nearly five runs per over across the Test match.
PAT CUMMINS — 10
1-35 and 4-62, 23 and 32*
The Australian skipper just has a knack for snaring breakthroughs when his team desperately needs a breakthrough.
Cummins removed Black Caps champion Kane Williamson to break a century partnership on day two before toppling rising star Rachin Ravindra the following morning.
Then with the bat, the New South Welshman guided Australia towards an unlikely victory on Monday, replicating his Edgbaston heroics from nine months ago.
NATHAN LYON — 7
0-6 and 3-49
The Hagley Oval pitch didn’t offer Lyon much assistance in the first innings, but the veteran off-spinner found a way to contribute on day three.
After producing an absolute peach to knock over Glenn Phillips, the 36-year-old helped clean up New Zealand’s tail on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, he once again did a superb job as Australia’s nightwatcher, adding a valuable 20 runs in the first innings.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 9
5-31 and 1-70
It was as though the Hagley Oval pitch was designed specifically for Hazlewood.
The Bendemeer Bullet ripped through New Zealand’s top order on day one, claiming the 12th five-wicket haul of his Test career.
He bowled well without luck in the second innings, breaking the 123-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.
Hazelwood cheered as he signs sandpaper | 00:17
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