Australia return to top world test cricket rankings

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum expected to wake up on Thursday feeling “a bit dusty”, hopefully with his cricket gear still intact rather than ceremonially burnt to a cinder and looking ahead to not doing a lot.

Brendon McCullum’s final hurrah from New Zealand cricket involves one more chance to innovate.

They require another 131 runs to win with Joe Burns (27) and Usman Khawaja (19) at the crease, looking to complete a 2-0 series victory and claim the number one Test ranking.

But the 34-year-old managed to keep his emotions in check after the match, posing for a photo, sharing a beer with team-mates and signing a some jerseys.

Australia remain on track for victory in the second Test despite a fightback from New Zealand on day four in Christchurch. “We’ve had some fun over the last two or three years, I reckon”.

Smith ended the match on 53 not out, his 16th Test half century and follows up his 138 in the first innings.

Watling and Henry briefly halted the slump and pushed New Zealand to a lead that might have been unexpected when they started the fourth day at 121-4, still 14 runs behind.

Paceman Josh Hazlewood later pleaded guilty to dissent and was awaiting a sanction from the International Cricket Council’s match referee.

Security detain a spectator during day four of the Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval on February 23, 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

McCullum’s century in Christchurch was the only century by a New Zealand batsman in its four innings in the series. It could have been Allan Border overtaking Sunil Gavaskar 23 years ago to become the leading run scorer in Tests.

Bird, who bagged his first five-wicket haul in Tests, collected the scalps of Anderson and Tim Southee before BJ Watling and Matt Henry combined to frustrate the tourists with a 118-run eighth-wicket partnership.

Following the third umpire’s ruling, the stump microphone at the non-striker’s end caught fast bowler Josh Hazlewood swearing when venting his frustration, while Smith was also animated, shaking his head and turning away after querying Martinesz on the decision.

“They didn’t use the Real Time Snicko – I thought that they should have in this instance and they didn’t do that and that’s what I was questioning the umpire for”. “I’m pleased with the way the team is gelling”. “They go about their work in a nice manner and they play hard cricket but in the series that we’ve had, I don’t think they’ve ever looked to step over the line”. We’ve been through our ups and downs but I hope you guys are incredibly proud of the group of men we had not just here but the guys who have represented this team in the last few years as well.