AUSTRALIA THRASH NEW ZEALAND
Melbourne, Australia - James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon combined to bowl Australia to a handsome 247-run victory with a day to spare, and with it retention of the Trans-Tasman trophy, but makeshift opener Tom Blundell showed tremendous spirit with a second Test hundred to take it deep into the final session.
Pattinson’s three-wicket prelunch burst appeared to be hurtling New Zealand to a swift defeat, but Blundell stood up magnificently to the challenge. However, Lyon’s 4 for 81 ensured Australia would not have to return on Monday to wrap things up.
After being set a hypothetical 488 for victory - following Australia’s declaration 10 overs into the day - New Zealand plummeted to 3 for 35 as Pattinson claimed three wickets in nine balls which included losing Kane Williamson for a duck.
Blundell, who had never opened in first-class cricket before this match, could have been lbw in the first over but went on to play an outstanding innings and score the first century by a New Zealander at the MCG.
When the Australia quicks started straight he worked them through the leg side and when they went short he was never afraid of taking it on. His hundred came from 185 balls when he nudged Pat Cummins towards mid-on, the milestone greeted by raucous celebrations from the large travelling support who helped swell the crowd to over 200,000 across the four days.
Pattinson struck with his fourth delivery when he drew Latham into driving at a wide delivery to break an opening stand that had shown small signs of promise.
Williamson, who played a poor shot in the first innings to fall for 9, was given lbw when a delivery nipped back to catch him on the crease. The captain called for the DRS, as he had to do, and the replays showed it was clipped leg stump by, dare it be said, the barest of margins.
While there may have been an element of bad fortune in Williamson’s dismissal, Ross Taylor’s downfall was self-inflicted as he dragged on an under edge as he attempted to cut Pattinson to give the quick his third wicket in nine deliveries.
It has been a humbling series for New Zealand against an Australia side going from strength to strength and looking for a whitewash in Sydney.