Australia’s return to the top hit by controversy

Australia moved back to the top of the Test rankings after wrapping up a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Christchurch. Instead, it made its accession more emphatic by delivering a victory which followed its win by an innings and 52 runs in the first test.

The partnership ended when Burns, seeking to clear mid-on, was bowled by Trent Boult for 65, including nine fours.

Usman Khawaja (45) was the only other wicket to fall Wednesday, caught by McCullum at slip from the bowling of Tim Southee for 45.

For New Zealand the drubbing by their arch-rivals put a cloud on the much-loved McCullum’s farewell, as their captain took his final bow on the world stage after 101 Tests.

New Zealand are a strong competitive unit at one-day level, sitting second behind Australia, but they remain battlers on the Test scene sitting in sixth spot – and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

“I’ve been really pleased with the way the guys have been able to get through tough periods and be willing to bat for long periods of time…which is the most pleasing thing”. “We’ve achieved some cool things, we’ve lost one or two games as well but, hey, we’ve got our soul back”.

“For the rest of my life I’ll remember playing for New Zealand”.

Australia had ensured by the end of the fourth day that McCullum’s last match would end in defeat. It needed a further 131 on Wednesday and Burns and Khawaja took it steadily towards that total, adding 64 for the second wicket.

But Smith talked up the Australians as “nice guys” who play the game hard and push the boundaries but don’t mean to offend.

Smith completed his half century from 41 balls and was at the crease when Voges drove Boult for four for the winning runs.

“The top five of Australia outplayed us”, Hesson said.

That failure, McCullum recalls, was the beginning of a new determination in a side where the captain instilled a need for players to want to hold their heads high.

Johannesburg, Feb.24: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has insisted that it was right time to call curtains on his glorious worldwide career despite belting fastest century in the history of Test cricket a few days ago.

However, Smith also had to dispute suggestions that Australia, often controversial over their uncompromising play and habit of sledging, or insulting the opposition, were cricket’s bully boys.

He scored 12 test centuries and became the first New Zealander to score a test triple century when he reached 302 against India in 2014.

McCullum’s century in Christchurch was the only century by a New Zealand batsman in its four innings in the series.

Australia have reclaimed the No. 1 Test ranking, recording a comfortable seven-wicket win on day five of the second trans-Tasman Test.

Once Voges’ stroke touched the rope McCullum hugged his teammates, congratulated the not out batsmen and then the remainder of the Australian squad who welcomed him at the entrance to the players’ tunnel.