Boxing Day Test: Follow all the action from day four at the MCG
Rookie opener Tom Blundell posted a fine century at the MCG but it had no impact on the result, Australia securing a massive 248 run victory as James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon did the damage on day four to hand Australia a second series win of the summer. FOLLOW LIVE
- A look inside the DRS truck: 'Paine can visit us anytime'
- On current form, Cummins a steal at $3.2 million
Australia delivered the all-in effort captain Tim Paine and coach Justin Langer have demanded with a dominant series-sealing victory over New Zealand at the MCG.
It took the full length of a fourth day and every ounce of bowling effort to secure a fourth Test win of the summer and was a statement of how deep Australia’s talent runs.
Stream the AUS v NZ Domain Test Series LIVE & Ad-Break Free During Play on KAYO with FOX CRICKET’s unmatched commentary line-up. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
On the back of a hundred from man of the match Travis Head and six wickets from returning fast bowler James Pattinson, the home side was back to its bulldozing best and is now unbeaten in three straight series against England, Pakistan and the Kiwis.
The win was more remarkable given Australia lost the toss and was sent in to bat on day one, a fact not lost on Paine who said his whole team was “outstanding”.
“To beat good teams, we are going to have to have contributions the whole way throughout our team,” Paine said.
“And I thought this Test match was a good example of that and a good example of how good we can be when that happens.
“From the moment we lost the toss, out batters applied themselves. Then our bowlers, from Pat Cummins first and then James Pattinson, they were outstanding.
“We’re playing well, there is no doubt about that. We need that consistently, guys stepping up, we can’t rely on too few. That’s what we are starting to do at the moment.”
Firebrand Pattinson set up the day four push to victory with three wickets in 12-balls in the morning, serving a reminder of how deep the Australian pace battery goes having replaced injured star Josh Hazlewood.
Lyon then helped wrap up the quest, finishing with four second innings scalps as the best bowling attack in the world once again got the job done.
“It shows we are starting to spread the load and when we work together as a team and build pressure … we just keep driving that home to all our team,” Paine said.
“If we keep building pressure as a team we have some absolute firepower with the ball and we know all of them are going to have their day in the sun.”
The home team couldn’t win until they dismissed Kiwi opener Tom Blundell who batted nearly all day to not only defy the Australians but make history for himself and his county with the first Test century for New Zealand at the MCG.
Given a life on zero, after a non-referral from Paine for an LBW appeal which replays showed was out, Blundell blunted the bowling for 71 overs before holing out as shadows lengthened across the MCG.
With Kiwi quick Trent Boult unable to bat with a broken hand, the Australians began their celebrations with the Trans-Tasman trophy secured.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was left to lament his team’s bowling on day one after winning the toss and sending the Australians in to bat, only to watch them pile on 467.
“In terms of the series loss that happens, but it’s about the cricket we want to play and we haven’t been at or best,” Williamson said.
“The challenge has been tough and been set but we have to rise to that. We do need to be better.”
They have one last chance when the series moves to Sydney on Friday for the third and final Test of a summer Australia has dominated from day one.
Originally published as Boxing Day Test: Follow all the action from day four at the MCG