Instead, it made its accession more emphatic by delivering a victory which followed its win by an innings and 52 runs in the first test.
Advertisement
Voges and Smith then opted to see out victory after the break.
The partnership ended when Burns, seeking to clear mid-on, was bowled by Trent Boult for 65, including nine fours.
Usman Khawaja (45) was the only other wicket to fall in the first session yesterday when he was well held by Brendon McCullum at first slip off Tim Southee.
For New Zealand it put a cloud on Brendon McCullum’s farewell as their captain took his final bow on the world stage after 101 Tests.
“I think Australia were better with the ball and were able to generate movement throughout the match not just the first innings”, Hesson said. “We’ve achieved some things and hey, we’ve lost some games as well, but we’ve got our soul back and you’re absolutely great men. But we’ve got our soul back… and for the rest of my life I’ll remember the time that we’ve had playing for New Zealand”.
Exploiting Hazlewood’s foul-mouthed confusion over the identities of the match officials, New Zealand scrambled their way to 335 late on the fourth day, setting Australia 201 for victory. It needed a further 131 on Wednesday and Burns and Khawaja took it steadily toward that total, adding 64 for the second wicket. Steven Smith, the Australian captain, unbeaten on 53, ran over to shake his hand. “I think we play a good, hard, aggressive brand of cricket”, Smith said. “We’ve talked a little bit about that, I guess I’m still young in my career as a leader and you try and learn from different things”.
“We want to win every series we play”.
He marked it by scoring the world’s fastest test century in the first innings and while disappointed he couldn’t sign off with a win is relieved also.
Renowned for his blatant disregard of bowling attacks, McCullum was also relaxed about his legacy.
Josh Hazlewood of Australia celebrates after Umpire Ranmore Martinesz gave Kane Williamson of New Zealand out LBW as Williamson refered the decision sucsessfully during day four of the Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval on February 23, 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Prior to this series vice-captain David Warner had predicted an Ashes-like intensity to the New Zealand assignment and at least in the sense of the overcast skies and green wickets encountered, at times it was.
McCullum’s century in Christchurch was the only century by a New Zealand batsman in its four innings in the series.
McCullum, who has won a handful of “spirit of cricket” awards, felt Smith had improved the reputation of the Australian side.
The 29-year-old averages just 29.92 with the bat in Tests, with that number down to 16.94 in five-day matches against Australia.
Advertisement
Australia continues to gel as a team under new captain Smith, winning its last three test series against New Zealand, home and away, and the West Indies this southern summer.
