ALEX Carey and Pat Cummins have delivered Australia a Trans-Tasman series sweep, after guiding their side home by three wickets against New Zealand today. The pair put on a 61-run eight-wicket partnership to see the tourists successfully chase 279 on day four in Christchurch.

Under-pressure gloveman, Carey finished unbeaten on 98 alongside his skipper, showcasing nerves of steel throughout the fourth innings. He and Mitch Marsh (80) had Australia cruising at 5-220 with 59 more runs to get, before their crucial stand of 140 was broken.

Kiwi debutant Ben Sears wrenched the door wide open by dismissing Marsh and Mitchell Starc in consecutive balls, bringing Cummins to the crease alongside Carey. The pair finished with consummate professionalism, as a pair of Cummins boundaries wrapped up proceedings.

Sears, whose hat-trick delivery was edged for four by Cummins, finished with 4-90 in an inspired spell. His pace and intent were indicative of New Zealand’s desperation to get over the line against its big brother, without the cutting edge or killer instinct required at the death.

Things could have been much different, though, had Rachin Ravindra held onto a catch gifted to him by Marsh on the first ball of the day. While Travis Head departed with the very next delivery, the allrounder went on to add 42 vital runs after Australia’s top five failed to fire.

The visitors continued to ride their luck throughout the chase, with Carey given out LBW on 19 but surviving via a successful review. Chasing 202 more runs on the fourth day after being 4-34, such fine margins and fortunes needed to be in Australia’s favour.

In the end, the result yielded a 2-0 series sweep and outright victory of the Trans-Tasman Trophy. Australia has now leapfrogged New Zealand into second in the World Test Championship standings, sitting only behind India who will tour Australia in the 2024/25 Test summer.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Australia won by 3 wickets.
POTM: Alex Carey (Australia)

Australia won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: New Zealand 10-162 (45.2)
Tom Latham 38 (69), Matt Henry 29 (28), Tim Southee 26 (20)
Josh Hazlewood 5-31 (13.2), Mitchell Starc 3-59 (12), Cameron Green 1-21 (4)

2nd Innings: Australia 10-256 (68)
Marnus Labuschagne 90 (147), Mitchell Starc 28 (54), Cameron Green 25 (40)
Matt Henry 7-67 (23), Glenn Phillips 1-14 (5), Tim Southee 1-68 (18)

Australia led by 94 runs.

3rd Innings: New Zealand 10-372 (108.2)
Rachin Ravindra 82 (153), Tom Latham 73 (168), Daryl Mitchell 58 (98)
Pat Cummins 4-62 (24), Nathan Lyon 3-49 (16.2), Cameron Green 1-48 (11)

New Zealand led by 278 runs.

4th Innings: Australia 7-281 (65)
Alex Carey 98* (123), Mitch Marsh 80 (102), Pat Cummins 32* (44)
Ben Sears 4-90 (17), Matt Henry 2-94 (19), Tim Southee 1-39 (14)

Australia won by 3 wickets.