Australia v New Zealand: Hosts secure crushing 247-run victory in Melbourne

Last updated on 29 December 2019.From the section Cricket79

Tom Blundell has scored two centuries in three Test appearances for New Zealand

Second Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground (day four of five):
Australia 467 (Head 114, Wagner 4-83) & 168-5 dec (Wagner 3-50)
New Zealand 148 (Cummins 5-28) & 240 (Blundell 121, Lyon 4-81)
Australia won by 247 runs
Scorecard

Australia completed a 247-run victory over New Zealand on the fourth day in Melbourne to win the three-Test series with one match remaining.

New Zealand were dismissed for 240, despite opener Tom Blundell making 121.

Australia added 31 to their overnight score before declaring on 168-5, setting New Zealand 488 for victory.

James Pattinson took three wickets in eight balls, including that of captain Kane Williamson, before Nathan Lyon's 4-81 wrapped up New Zealand's innings.

TMS podcast: Reaction to England's latest collapse

Blundell was the last man out with Trent Boult unable to bat after fracturing his hand on Saturday.

"We know we've wrapped up the series here today, which was pleasing, but with the Test Championship, every Test is really important," said Australia captain Tim Paine.

"So winning the series is almost less important until we wrap up next week hopefully with another good win."

The third and final Test begins in Sydney on 2 January.

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79 comments

Comment posted by Inastate, at 09:49 29 Dec 2019
England's best chance of avoiding an Ashes humiliation would be to cancel the tour.
Comment posted by cotswolds, at 09:35 29 Dec 2019
Australia seem to have the killer instinct back. England have Jonny Bairstow back.
Comment posted by jan, at 09:41 29 Dec 2019
On behalf of New Zealand, I’m sorry we didn’t show up. We’ve been revved up to play the Boxing Day test and what a let-down! Hopefully we’ll bounce back. In the meantime, well done Oz
Comment posted by D1669808705008, at 13:03 29 Dec 2019
I am a South Aussie so would love to see Alex Carey as the Aussie wicketkeeper. However, Tim Paine has captained Australia in the manner that we needed and his wicketkeeping has also been at a high level. It is good to feel proud of our team again.
Comment posted by Brisbane41 , at 10:15 29 Dec 2019
In the end the Aussie lads to good. I was at the MCG yesterday, Cummins was absolutely brilliant. Kudos to Blundell's brilliant century today. The DRS review by Alim Dar yesterday was bewildering: Paine again hit and miss with DRS: but played a great captains knock. Happy for Heads century as well and great sportsmanship by the NZ lads. Our bowlers overall are red hot at the moment at the moment.
Comment posted by bmxkid, at 09:25 29 Dec 2019
Those dam Aussies how do they keep producing these wonderful players. Not sure what the rankings say but they’d have to be the number one team in the world. They’ll hammer India in Oz with their A team.
Comment posted by Vikram, at 12:31 29 Dec 2019
That Aussie team will rout england
Comment posted by splendidsparrow, at 12:20 29 Dec 2019
Joe had a chance to play a critically needed captain's innings but failed. England are in trouble; Oz on the ascendancy.
Comment posted by LilNige, at 12:55 29 Dec 2019
Australia are probably getting back to their best. Only India are probably a threat to them now. Glad the Ashes are 2 years away otherwise it would be another 5-0 stroll in the sunshine. Probably will be anyway if I'm honest.
Comment posted by Rizla, at 12:42 29 Dec 2019
@15 Mate, you are a colossal embarrassment to your nation. It's no wonder everyone else takes extra pleasure in thumping Eng with fans like you around. We certainly are enjoying the victory in 3½ days
Comment posted by D1674926596395, at 11:07 29 Dec 2019
Australia 5 Roots Mates 0
Comment posted by splendidsparrow, at 12:47 29 Dec 2019
The expected ignominious England collapse is almost complete!
Comment posted by Carckle, at 11:37 29 Dec 2019
I watched with interest as NZ are ranked higher and knew that Australia would likely climb in the rankings with a win. The win was good and to be expected on home soil, but the biggest thing was the civility of the New Zealanders.
Comment posted by foreverblue, at 10:29 29 Dec 2019
So a team that thrashed England by an innings has now been hammered out of sight by Australia twice, just shows how pathetic England are !!!
Watching this morning it appears that Root is blind as well as a poor captain, what a stupid referral, ball was clearly clipping Denly's leg stump !
Comment posted by Brisbane41 , at 11:50 29 Dec 2019
#15... Interesting irrelevant... Was the Ashes irrelevant that just passed? . Glorious victory.. Really!! 5 down I see already ..Thanks again for your useless posts as always
Comment posted by Bic bluffest wicket, at 14:49 29 Dec 2019
When you play in Australia against a team with three quality quicks who consistently bowl at 140+ km/h against teams who struggled to field even one bowler who can match their pace, the result is a foregone conclusion. This is not to take away from the Aussie batsmen, who showed great patience and determination when the Kiwi bowlers put the pressure on them - all in all a great team effort.
Comment posted by Le Chat, at 18:14 29 Dec 2019
Despite the BBL and overseas T20 circuits that a lot of Aussies play in, Australia do ensure that they have a top Test side. Same for India who have been doing better in Test matches since their IPL started.
Irrespective of the pitches in NZ or any damn country, if one has a good talent pool it comes through. India has a few test cricketers who don't get to play IPL. England needs to rethink.
Comment posted by Billy Goat Gruff, at 15:51 29 Dec 2019
Warner 335, Labuschange and Smith unstoppable, Cummins a rising star. Pattinson quality. Lyon great for 4th innings.

They are on their way back to the top.

I think England will have to make some excuse not to play the next Ashes. Or Gelnn McGrath might well be right with his usual 5-0 prediction.

NZ are quality and will bounce back soon.
Comment posted by User0957577974, at 11:50 29 Dec 2019
11 Chorlton...

Not so in 1985/86; Hadlee ran amok, and New Zealand won the series. Must say, though, there have been a lot of flat pitches in New Zealand over the years (remember 1987/88?), which isn't really going to help them as a team when they get overseas. It's not going to help them find the next Shane Bond, either.
Comment posted by Vikram, at 12:54 29 Dec 2019
It was only the fanboys thought England could win