HOBART, Pakistan (Dec. 12) – Doug Bracewell, the promising Kiwi pacer, grabbed six wickets in a destructive spell of bowling to lead New Zealand to a spectacular first test victory over mighty Australian since 1993. They won the second test by just seven runs on Monday.
New Zealand seamer Doug Bracewell (AFP, William West) |
This is not only the first Test victory for New Zealand against Australia since 1993 but the first on Australian soil since 1985. Most importantly they squared the 2-Test series after the hosts won the opening Test in Brisbane by huge margin of nine wickets.
The Black Caps claimed last eight Australian wickets for 74 runs to claim a sensational victory midway through the fourth day of an extraordinary Test match at Bellerive Oval.
Australia, requiring 241 for victory on the day four of the 2nd test, had appeared to be approaching te target quite easily courtesy to the maiden Test ton by David Warner until Bracewell (6-40) helped send them tumbling from 159 for two to 233 all out. David Warner stood unbeaten on 123 at the end.
Bracewell finished with 6/40 off 16.4 overs in a match-winning performance to stun the Australians, who appeared on track for victory at 159/2 chasing 241 runs to win.
But the Australians folded spectacularly and David Warner's unbeaten maiden Test century went in vain as wickets tumbled around him and last man Nathan Lyon was bowled by Bracewell in the 64th over to claim victory.
It was the Black Caps' first victory in Australia since 1985 and they tied the two-Test series after comprehensively losing the first Gabba Test by nine wickets.
Bracewell turned the match around with the wickets of Ricky Ponting (16), Michael Clarke (0), Mike Hussey (0), James Pattinson (4), Mitchell Starc (0) and Lyon (9).
Warner finished unbeaten on 123 off 170 balls with 14 boundaries to cement his position in the Test side after fellow opener Phillip Hughes was out again cheaply.
Warner edged out Bracewell as official man-of-the-match in a television viewers' poll.
The Australian reached his century when he tucked Bracewell behind square leg for two shortly after lunch and greeted his achievement with a leap into the air and a kiss on his helmet.
But wickets continued to fall with Brad Haddin snapped up by Ross Taylor in the slips off Tim Southee and Peter Siddle taken at third slip off Southee for two.
Bracewell removed Pattinson and Starc within three balls to have the Black Caps one wicket away from a remarkable win as last man Lyon came out to join Warner after Australia had lost seven wickets for 40.
In a tense climax, Lyon survived two reviews for lbw as Warner went after the runs against a spread-eagled field.
But Bracewell finished the game when he bowled Lyon in the 64th over to jubilation among his teammates.
Ponting's possible final Test innings in Hobart finished in a whimper after he was given a standing ovation to the wicket from the small crowd.
Test cricket's third-highest run scorer spooned a catch to cover after playing back to Bracewell and was out for 16 to complete a poor match after scoring just five in the first innings.
Watch the video of devastating spell of Doug Bracewell below:
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