‘Had no idea’: Cummins robs teammate in Australia’s miracle Test win

Australia have claimed a Test victory for the ages as Pat Cummins starred but denied his teammate a milestone moment.

Australia have heaped more cricket misery on their little brother New Zealand, claiming a thrilling three-wicket victory in the second Test to wrap up the Trans-Tasman series win 2-0.

The tourists began Day 4 needing more than 200 runs to chase down the required total of 279 to win, and they were in strife at 5/80 when Travis Head was out early.

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New Zealand looked on track for their first Test win over Australia since 2011, but the Kiwis lost their advantage like the Wallabies relinquishing a lead to the All Blacks.

But Mitch Marsh (80) and Alex Carey steadied the ship in a 140-run partnership to give Australia a sniff of victory.

New Zealand debutant Ben Sears dismissed Marsh and Mitchell Starc in consecutive balls to leave Australia needing 59 to win with three wickets in hand.

In a thrilling finish, Pat Cummins produced another clutch fourth innings knock to hit the winning runs and see his side home.

The Australian captain finished on 32 not out and Carey was left stranded on 98 when his second Test century was in his sights.

Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket: “Well played Alex Carey. That is career definining for him I reckon.”

Alex Carey and Pat Cummins got the job done for Australia. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP)

Carey survived a dicey DRS review when he was on 19 and another review on 37, but the matchwinning knock will ensure his spot in Australia’s Test side is well and truly safe from Josh Inglis.

Carey was named player of the match — he also equalled Adam Gilchrist’s record with 10 dismissals in the Test.

Some thought Cummins should have blocked a few balls to allow Carey the chance to bring up his hundred.

Awesome win Aussies. 👍
Brilliant from Bison.🦬
Alex Carey deserved a 💯 but his 98no was superb 🧤#NZvAus

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) March 11, 2024

WTF Cummins should have defended that delivery and given Carey the chance at a century.

Great win though.#NZvAUS

— Menners 🎙 (@amenners) March 11, 2024

Cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan said: “Pat Cummins the modern-day Michael Bevan.”

Cummins said post-game: “I had no idea he (Carey) was on 98.”

New Zealand bowler Matt Henry took 17 wickets across the two Tests and was named player of the series.

1.49pm - 11 to win

The Aussies are edging awfully close to victory, and an Alex Carey century isn’t out of the question either.

1.36pm - 31 runs to win

Pat Cummins is proving an able partner to Alex Carey — they’ve chipped the deficit down to 31 with three wickets remaining.

1.24pm - Carey living dangerously

Alex Carey is living dangerously. First, he skilfully flicked a paddle/ramp shot over the slips for four before skying a similar shot through point.

New Zealand’s most athletic fielder Glenn Phillips showed serious hops to get his fingertips to the ball, but it flew over him and Carey survived.

Glenn Phillips was all of New Zealand after that tough chance. Photo: Fox Sports.

1.04pm - Kiwis get two in two balls!

Oh boy. Ben Sears has two wickets in two balls after Mitchell Starc flicked a delivery to square leg to be out for a golden duck. Australia need 59 runs to win with three wickets in hand.

Pat Cummins only just survived the hat-trick ball from Sears, flicking a delivery through the slip cordon for four.

Ben Sears had two in two balls. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

1.01pm - Marsh gone for 80

Mitch Marsh is out for 80 after Kiwi debutant Ben Sears trapped him LBW and umpire Marais Erasmus raised his finger.

Marsh reviewed straight away but DRS showed the ball was going on to clip leg stump.

Australia need 59 runs to win with Alex Carey (71) now needing to bat with the tail.

12.25pm - Less than 100 to win

Carey and Marsh have returned to the crease after the lunch and have brought the deficit under 100 with five wickets in hand.

The Aussie pair have also brought up their 100-run partnership.

11.32am - NZ burn another review

New Zealand used another review just before lunch when spinner Glenn Phillips thought he might have got Marsh out LBW.

The ball hit Marsh’s foot but replays showed the ball just flicked Marsh’s bat on the way through, and the Kiwis only have one review left.

Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey led the Aussie fightback. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP)

11.23am - Carey surviving but living dangerously

After DRS saved Alex Carey on 19, he had another nervous moment when New Zealand appealed for a caught behind when he was on 37.

Carey was given not out as he didn’t hit the ball, and he went on to bring up 50 in no time at all.

“It might be Carey’s day,” Jim Maxwell said on ABC Radio.

11.11am - Marsh brings up 50

Mitch Marsh has brought up his ninth Test half century with a trademark pull shot and while he’s at the crease, Australia can dare to dream of victory. Australia trail by 131 runs.

10.43pm - Carey survives, just...

New Zealand spearhead Matt Henry thought he had Alex Carey out LBW for 19.

But the Aussie wicketkeeper reviewed the decision and it proved a very wise call, with DRS showing the ball just missing leg stump.

The Flashscore Cricket Commentators account wrote on X: “Count your lucky stars Alex!”

Australia need 163 runs to win and they need Mitch Marsh and Carey to stick around as long as they can.

Alex Carey was living dangerously.

10.05am - Aussies just throwing it away

Mitch Marsh can thank his lucky stars. The Aussie all-rounder swung wildly at the first ball of the day.

The cut shot flew straight to Rachin Ravindra but was put down.

The very next delivery Travis Head followed Marsh’s lead and swung hard at a wider delivery but cut it straight to Will Young at point, this time the fielder didn’t make the same mistake.

He claimed the catch and now the Aussies are in serious strife.

Woweeeee x2 #NZvAUS

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) March 10, 2024

Just unbelievable from Australia ! Marsh gets dropped playing a loose cut before even getting in & then Head plays the same daft shot the very next ball & is out 🤦‍♂️ You’d be forgiven for thinking they were Bazballers #NZvAUS

— Brett Graham (@worldofBG) March 10, 2024

Rachin Ravindra dropped a sitter.

Tim Southee got the breakthrough straight after.

9am - Delayed start to the day

The heavens are open in Christchurch with the fourth day of play delayed by rain. Covers are on and this is exactly what the Aussies would want.

A rain delay to begin day four.#NZvAUSpic.twitter.com/0JWsLvfJLE

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 10, 2024

7.30am – Steve Smith knocks back kids request

Josh Hazlewood won New Zealand over with his boundary line act, but Steve Smith wasn’t having it.

The Australian quick became an instant fan favourite as he signed everything handed to him over the fence by eager fans.

In the middle of the second day of play, Hazlewood even signed a piece of sandpaper for one young New Zealand fan.

The youngster had a piece of cardboard with the words “sandpaper $5” written on it and little strips hanging off the bottom.

Smith however, who lost his captaincy role over the sandpaper scandal, wasn’t on board with the offer and - according to fans at the ground - declined the young fan’s request for a signature on the board.

Smith wasn’t having it. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Hazlewood signed, Smith declined.

The sandpaper scandal unfolded in 2018 and was one of the blackest marks in the nation’s cricket history after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera applying sandpaper to the ball.

It led to David Warner and Steve Smith being banned for a year, while Bancroft served nine months as the trio were not allowed to play domestic or international cricket outside of selected T20 tournaments.

However, Australia’s four bowlers, who could have benefited from the hare-brained scheme, have long denied any knowledge of the plan.

Warner also poked the bear before this year’s T20 series against New Zealand, hitting out at the Kiwi fans, despite only having toured in the country in 2016.