“It was a hard game”, McCullum said.
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“Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth are two of the best umpires in world cricket”, he said.
They’re certainly not the only nation to cop it at the Gabba, either, with Australia unbeaten at the ground since 1988 in winning 20 of their last 27 Tests there. “We lost by 208 runs”.
Opener David Warner was named Man of the Match for his innings of 163 and 116, the best of several fine batting displays from the hosts that formed the bedrock of the victory.
The accomplished Williamson took up where he left off after 140 in the first innings to reach his 50 off 55 balls but fell to a marginal leg before wicket decision nearing tea.
Starting the final day on 142 for 3, New Zealand had its back against the wall as Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson got going, but it was Hazlewood who drew first blood as he dismissed Ross Taylor for 26.
McClenaghan is a wayward bowler – so much so he makes Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson look frugal.
It was an unfitting end to an entertaining knock from McCullum, who resumed on four and had no interest in shelving his hard-hitting ways.
Indeed, Burns’s second-innings century on debut was a sight to behold, coming off just 102 balls with 11 fours and three sixes thrown in for good measure.
It took the heat off Marsh after mounting pressure to justify his spot in the side, with ex-Test opener Chris Rogers describing him as very green for the allrounder role.
The biggest blow, though, was McCullum’s dismissal in the penultimate over with the old ball, when Marsh took wickets with consecutive deliveries.
Doug Bracewell went lbw next ball but Tim Southee blocked the Marsh hat trick.
It only delayed the inevitable.
The incident will prompt more debate over the merits of the Decision Review System and whether a tweak is needed.
Caught behind off Hazlewood, he immediately signalled for a referral – it was the start of the 81st over and New Zealand’s two fresh refererrals kicked in – but third umpire S Ravi gave Southee out on snicko evidence.
The Black Caps were on the back foot after conceding 389 runs on day one and their attempts to get back into the match were hindered by a back injury to fast bowler Southee, who was unable to bowl in Australia’s second innings.
Mark Craig and Trent Boult delayed the inevitable with a spirited 46-run last-wicket stand, but the latter nicked Starc behind to leave the former stranded on 26.
“There’s a few positives… some signs the guys were comfortable against this attack”.
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“We didn’t execute what we wanted to do to him well enough – we hope to improve on that in Perth”.
