Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
Venue- Hagley Oval, Christchurch [March 8-11, 2024].
In the summer of 2024, the Australian cricket team toured New Zealand to play 3 T20 Internationals and 2 Test Matches. To everyone's surprise the Aussies won the T20 Series 3-0 and were also leading the test series 1-0 before both the teams reached Christchurch for the final test.
For the first time in the series, Australian Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to field first on what looked like a spicy wicket. The decision turned out to be a good one, as the duo of Hazlewood and Starc blew the Kiwis' batting line-up. Hazlewood picked up 5, whereas Starc picked up 3, as the hosts were bowled out for just 162 in their first innings.
In response, the visitors posted a decent total of 256. Marnus Labuschagne was the leading run-getter for the Aussies, as he scored a gritty 90 off 147 deliveries. Moreover, it is pertinent to note that no other Australian batsman was able to cross the 50-run mark. Thus, this inning becomes even more special.
The Kiwis were 94 runs behind the Aussie total. Looking into the conditions, the lead appeared huge. However, the Kiwis in the second innings batted sensibly and took the attack to the Aussies. Despite losing the first wicket with just 6 runs on board, the top order showed fight and resistance. Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell scored half-centuries as the Kiwis reached a respectable score of 372 in their second innings. The Aussies thus required 279 runs to win the match and series.
The chase was not going to be an easy one, and early wickets in the top made the chase even tougher. The Australian scorecard read 80/5 when Alex Carey joined Mitchell Marsh in between. The game was on a knife-edge. One more wicket and the Kiwis would have steamrolled the Aussie tail. This is when Marsh and Carey stitched an important partnership of 140 runs and brought visitors back into the game. However, 2 quick wickets in between brought the game back in balance. But this is when Cummins played a captain's knock and took his team to victory. Pat scored an unbeaten 32 in the most pressure-filled situation. He, along with Carey, shared an unbeaten partnership of 61 runs as the Aussies whitewashed the Kiwis.
Though Cummins did receive some criticism because he scored the winning runs, due to which Carey missed his ton by 2 runs. But this is what Australian cricket is all about. A team which values team and victory over individuals and their milestones.
To watch the Highlights of this Test, click on the URLs below-
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