caught at mid on! Lyon takes this one! That's the end of the Test. They're shaking hands. The umpires are sending the catch upstairs to check. It was tossed up, he miscued a lofted drive flat to mid on, Lyon caught it cleanly. His fingers were under it. The replays show that clearly despite boos from the New Zealand fans.
Australia win by 247 runs. Tom Blundell gets a standing ovation as he walks off for 121. That was a mighty effort and he deserves all the applause that has come his way. Australia were far too good though with bat and ball. They made 467 after being sent in and then blew New Zealand's top order apart. Pat Cummins and James Pattinson did the damage. Today was too big a mountain to climb. But Blundell made a name for himself with a world class century. Nathan Lyon bagged four as Blundell got no support from anyone really bar some small cameos from Watling and Santner.
Presentation
Kane Williamson: "I felt like there was enough in the surface to bowl first and it was obviously very important for us to be on top of our game and the surface did offer some sideways movement and swing but credit to Australia for getting through that first session and put 400 on the board. They've got a fantastic attack with pace and bounce but their accuracy stood apart and they did seem to get more out of that surface. All round from our perspective we need to be better in all departments. We do need to be better come Sydney. We haven't been at our best but it is important that we try and learn really quickly and improve in all areas."
Tim Paine: "Very pleasing. I thought the way we went about this Test from the moment we lost the toss was outstanding. I thought our batters applied themselves superbly on day one and made it easy for Trav and I on the second day to set up a big total. Then I thought our bowlers led by Pat Cummins in the first innings were superb. Got the lead we wanted and gave our bowlers a rest and again I thought James Pattinson started the rot today. We're sharing the load. We can't rely on too few and good teams have guys contributing throughout the list and we're starting to do that. It was a great surface. Guys who batted well could score runs and the bowlers who bowled well were hard work."
Player of the Match is Travis Head: "Amazing to contribute to an Australian win. We've put together a great performance. They tested me the whole time. I was very happy to get through the hard periods which I didn't do last time. As the number six batsman you are the first person talked about. I was ready to go and prepared well and I tried to perform as best I can."
Australia win the series 2-0 and get an extra day off ahead of the third Test in Sydney. New Zealand have some work to do and decisions to make. Trent Boult will head home and a replacement will need to be found but you would suspect other changes will be made.
Thanks for your company this week. Join us again in four days time for the third Test in Sydney. Until then, goodbye.
short and wide, he cracks this to cover-point but doesn't beat the man
full toss and he smears this wide of mid on to the rope! He is jumping all over Marnus
tossed up, he whips to mid on
dropped! Caught and bowled chance! This was smoked back at him chest high, he got both hands to it and put it down
short and wide, he rocks back and smashes this through cover! He is feasting on some of this now
missed return chance! It was hot. Wagner skipped out and thumped a drive back and Lyon and he couldn't get hands to it as it flew past his head and away to the rope!
tossed up slower, he skips out and drives to long on
fired wide of off, he leaves this one alone
Over the wicket
and again! Short again and he pulls to the same spot! Two mistakes from Lyon
short drag down, he's back and hammering a pull behind square! Good footwork and he smoked it
Around the wicket
tossed up outside leg, he pads up
Grant Robinson: "Was that on Blundell? Southee said no and Blundell was nearly halfway down the pitch." Not sure why Southee said no. It was nearly two
this bites from a leg, rips the glove and pops into the off side again! No silly mid off
Slip, leg slip and short leg
tossed up, spinning in, he gets an inside edge onto pad and it rolls into the off side but there's no silly mid off
Around the wicket
Dougo : "That's one way to ensure you carry your bat - run your teammates out!" Not sure it was his fault.
short and wide, he's back and cutting hard to deep point
full toss, he skips down and whips this wide of deep midwicket for a couple
tossed higher, he skips out and drives hard to cover
tossed up on off, he defends
Blundell in the Black Cap
pushed through on leg, he's back and defending
good length on off, he defends from the crease
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1W | ||||
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1W |
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Melbourne Cricket Ground | |
Toss | New Zealand, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2019/20 |
Player Of The Match | |
Series result | Australia led the 3-match series 2-0 |
Match number | Test no. 2376 |
Hours of play (local time) | 10.30 start, Lunch 12.30-13.10, Tea 15.10-15.30, Close 17.30 |
Match days | 26,27,28,29 December 2019 - day (5-day match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Australia 40, New Zealand 0 |