As it happened:Australia secure dramatic series win over New Zealand

Winning captain Pat Cummins claimed it was difficult to watch Australia’s run chase after they collapsed to 5-80 and then lost wickets in successive balls with 59 still needed.

“Yeah,pretty tense,” Cummins claimed after Australia’s three-wicket victory. “It was pretty nervous watching for the last couple of hours. Everyone would try to keep themselves busy and then look up at the scoreboard and then look back down. Amazing win,bit by bit. The boys are fantastic today.”

Alex Carey admitted Australia were in a tough position when he arrived at the fall of Travis Head’s wicket just eight balls into day four of the second Test.

“This game ebbed and flowed and[we had our] backs against the wall this morning,” Carey said after receiving the player of the match award for an unbeaten 98. “They came out last night and really put us under the pump. So it’s nice to obviously take those runs down.

“The ball was nipping around,and I thought Mitch Marsh (80 from 102 balls),his intent was outstanding and got us going a little bit. But yeah,it was certainly tough early.”

Despite finishing just two short of a century Carey was “happy” for Pat Cummins (32 not out) to hit the winning runs.

Carey also equalled Adam Gilchrist’s Australian record of 10 catches in a match.

Christchurch: Stand up when you need to.

That’s been one of the themes of the Australian Test team under Pat Cummins,particularly over a recent run of struggles with the bat.

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Australia have won the second Test in Christchurch,beating New Zealand by three wickets to claim the series 2-0. Captain Pat Cummins (32) hit the winning runs but the hero was Alex Carey,who finished on 98 not out. Australia collapsed to 5-80 before finishing on 7-281.

Alex Carey (93) and Pat Cummins (28) have brought up their 50-run partnership,reducing Australia’s victory target to just seven to win the second Test.

Australia require 23 to win the second Test in Christchurch and take the series 2-0. Alex Carey is 86 and Pat Cummins 20. New Zealand need three wickets.

Alex Carey and Pat Cummins have brought the victory target down to 40 after the loss of two wickets from successive balls. Carey was 77,his highest score since a century against South Africa in the 2022 Boxing Day Test. Cummins was 11.

Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Starc were out off successive balls with Australia still requiring 59 to win the second Test in Christchurch and claim the series. Marsh unsuccessfully reviewed an lbw decision which was shown to be umpires call with the ball flicking leg stump,while Starc went first ball flicking a catch to mid-wicket. Alex Carey was unbeaten 71. The successful bowler was debutant Ben Sears.

Mitch Marsh has followed in the footsteps of his elder brother Shaun and father Geoff by bringing up 2000 Test runs. It came as Marsh and Alex Carey took 16 from a Matt Henry over,reducing the victory target to 70. During the 50th over Marsh went to 77 with a pulled six and Carey was 63. They set a record sixth-wicket partnership of 129 for Australia against New Zealand.

Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey have brought up their century partnership shortly after lunch,bringing the victory target under one hundred. After 46 overs,Marsh was 56 and Carey 55.

Tim Southee stars the first over after lunch to Alex Carey with Australia 5-174 needing another 105 for victory. Carey 50,Mitch Marsh 55.