Australia went into the final day of the Test series against New Zealand on the backfoot. They had slipped to 34/4 on the third evening and victory was a further 202 runs away at the start of the day’s play.
Mitchell Marsh was going to be one of their rays of hope having counter-attacked his way to a run-a-ball 29. He rode his luck as his fierce cut shot in the second over of the day was put down by Rachin Ravindra at point off the bowling of Tim Southee. His batting partner, Travis Head, wasn’t as lucky though as a similar shot two balls later led to his downfall.
Alex Carey scored an unbeaten 98 and shared a 140-run stand with Marsh (80) as Australia chased down 279 to complete a 2-0 series sweep and bolster their dominance over Tasman neighbours New Zealand in the format, a lopsided record that now reads a solitary win for the Kiwis in the last 31 years.
The BLACKCAPS have their first wicket of Day 4, as Travis Head is dismissed for 18, caught by Will Young from the bowling of Tim Southee 🔥🏏@BLACKCAPS v Australia: 2nd Test | LIVE now on DUKE and TVNZ+ 🇳🇿🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/TpqFNUKIuh
— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) March 10, 2024