SPORTS

Australia crush Kiwis; win series

By Greg Buckle
November 30, 2004

Australia wrapped up a 2-0 win in the series after beating New Zealand by 213 runs on the fifth day of the second and final Test at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

The Kiwis, chasing a huge target of 464, were bowled out for 250 when world record holder Shane Warne (2-79) had last man Chris Martin caught by a diving Ricky Ponting at short leg for two in the second over after lunch.

Australia opener Justin Langer was named man of the match for his knocks of 215 and 46. Paceman Glenn McGrath, who took six wickets in Adelaide and three in the first Test in Brisbane, was selected as man of the series.

Captain Ponting said his side had played brilliant cricket in the series. The home team won the first match in Brisbane by an innings and 156 runs.

"We planned this game really well and we've come away with another great win," Ponting told reporters.

The Australia skipper heaped praise on his front-line bowling quartet of Warne, McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz.

"The way we were able to build pressure and maintain pressure on a very good batting wicket was something very special in itself," said Ponting.

"Our batting was pretty relentless as well," he added in reference to Australia's first innings of 575 for eight declared.

"To post that big first innings, New Zealand were never in the game from then on."

Ponting's counterpart Stephen Fleming said his team had performed below expectations and deserved criticism, even though they were up against the world's top-ranked side.

"It was a comprehensive display from Australia, one of the better displays throughout a series that I've seen," Fleming said.

SUPERB BOWLING

"Some of their bowling during the Test matches was superb. It was like having three Richard Hadlees and the greatest leg spinner of all (Warne).

"We lacked a bit of sting with our bowling but we also know how good their batting unit is.

"The Australian team is by far the most superior cricket team around. There is more development to come and that is the scary thing."

Daniel Vettori offered the most resistance for New Zealand on Tuesday. He hit 59, including seven fours, in 111 minutes before being caught by mid-off Gillespie off part-time spinner Darren Lehmann (2-46) from the last ball before lunch.

The tourists had resumed on 149 for five and lost four wickets for 94 in the morning session.

Jacob Oram was the first to go, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist off McGrath (2-32) for his overnight 40.

Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, who had added 53 for the sixth wicket with Oram, fell 10 runs later when he was lbw to Gillespie (2-41) for 36.

Vettori and James Franklin delayed the inevitable defeat with a 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket before Franklin was caught behind off Kasprowicz (2-39) for 13.

Australia had declared their second innings at 139 for two after lunch on Monday.

Langer and Matthew Hayden (54) shared an opening stand of 93 on the fourth day after putting on 137 for the first wicket in the first innings.

The 34-year-old Langer cracked his 20th Test century on day one.

Scoreboard:

Australia first innings: 575-8 declared (Justin Langer 215, Darren Lehmann 81; Daniel Vettori 5-152)

New Zealand first innings: 251 (Stephen Fleming 83, Nathan Astle 52; Glenn McGrath 4-66)

Australia second innings: 139-2 declared (Hayden 54)

New Zealand second innings: (149-5 overnight)
M Richardson c Langer b Kasprowicz 16
M Sinclair lbw b Gillespie 2
S Fleming b McGrath 3
S Styris c Clarke b Warne 8
N Astle c Langer b Lehmann 38
J Oram c Gilchrist b McGrath 40
B McCullum lbw b Gillespie 36
D Vettori c Gillespie b Lehmann 59
J Franklin c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz 13
P Wiseman not out 15
C Martin c Ponting b Warne 2

Extras (nb-5, lb-12, b-1) 18

Total (all out, 82.3 overs) 250

Fall of wickets: 1-11 2-18 3-34 4-34 5-97 6-150 7-160 8-206 9-243

Bowling: McGrath 12-2-32-2 (nb-3) Gillespie 16-5-41-2 Kasprowicz 14-4-39-2 (nb-2) Warne 27.3-6-79-2 Lehmann 13-0-46-2

Match result: Australia won by 213 runs

Man of the match: Justin Langer

Man of the series: Glenn McGrath

First Test: Australia won by an innings and 156 runs

Greg Buckle
Source: REUTERS
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