Australia skipper Smith charged with dissent for profane outburst

It was not the way the 34-year-old wanted to retire, as Australia completed a 2-0 series sweep by winning the second Test by seven wickets.

Smith pleaded guilty following their seven-wicket win at the Hagley Oval with ICC determining the Australia captain broke its Code of Conduct by “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an global match”.

Williamson, who had an earlier lbw verdict overturned, fell for 97 after lunch as the hosts posted a total of 335, giving the visitors a 201-victory target. But despite the heroics, what mattered most for McCullum was the result, and it did not turn out as wanted in his 101st and final Test.

An injured Taylor missed the two Tests in New Zealand but Hesson wouldn’t blame all his team’s struggles on that.

As he shut down his worldwide career there were no tears from McCullum, although he was moved by a guard of honour by the Australians. The time is right you know.

“You walk away knowing that you’ve been able to front up and try to go out there and get a performance on the board and I guess now you’re a little bit relieved”, he said, after leaving the field for the last time.

He said he hoped to be remembered “as a guy who played for the right reasons and who, if in doubt, was prepared to take the positive option”.

The catch was McCullum’s 198th in tests, a record for a New Zealander. His swashbuckling style has produced multiple records.

Although Australia have been dominant for much of the Test, New Zealand put up a valiant fight with two century partnerships as they battled to save the contest.

Captain Smith asked for a review, though “hot-spot” technology showed Williamson had got a thin inside edge onto his pad, so ball tracking was not examined.

His consistency in Test cricket has been a notable fact, which in turn has helped his side to gain control in the format.

Josh Hazlewood questions the third umpire decision before Steve Smith charges the umpire before and after lunch break.

Usman Khawaja (45) was the only other wicket to fall in the first session yesterday when he was well held by Brendon McCullum at first slip off Tim Southee.

The victory confirmed Australia’s superiority after they won the first Test by an innings and 52 runs, and allowed them to overtake India as the world’s top Test side.

McCullum’s swan song was signalled last December after a chronic back injury finally forced him to acknowledge time was being called on his career.

Smith, who first captained the side for three Tests against India in Michael Clarke’s absence at the end of 2014, assumed the full time role after his predecessor retired following the Ashes series loss to England previous year.

Neil Wagner of New Zealand bowls during day four of the Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval on February 23, 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

New Zealand had entered their test series against Australia with expectations they could beat their trans-Tasman rivals only to be outplayed by their top order and pace bowlers, coach Mike Hesson said.