Australia coast to match and 2-0 series win

Australia 231 and 8/511 d def New Zealand 264 and 302 (91.1 ov, M Guptill 58, B McCullum 51, M Johnson 6/76) by 176 runs. Australia won series 2-0. T2 D5 at Hamilton

There were few obstacles obstructing Australia on the road to its comfortable match victory and series win. Fifties to Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum and a 45/25b (1x6, 7x4) biffed by Tim Southee saved a bit of Black Cap pride, but nobody could keep Mitchell Johnson (6/73 from 20.1 ov) at bay for long enough to mount a serious challenge.

The series confirmed yet again that New Zealand struggle against the top teams at Test level. They win a session here, a day there but aren't capable of stringing together enough sessions and days to achieve victories. It must be frustrating for their class players like Daniel Vettori, whose 100th Test this was, and Brendon McCullum to see potentially promising situations frittered (or thrown) away.

Scorecard

Cricinfo Bulletin

Katich leads Australia's methodical buildup

Australia 231 & 4/333 (114 ov, S Katich 106, M Hussey 67 S Watson 65) lead New Zealand 264 by 300 runs with 6 second innings wickets in hand T2D3 at Hamilton

Simon Katich's Test cricket style 106/279b (12x4) underpinned Australia's solid progression towards a position of considerable strength. All the other batters except for Ricky Ponting supported him: Hussey mirroring Katich's strike rate, Watson, Clarke and North driving a gear or two higher. The NZ attack was, as NZ attacks often are, honest rather than penetrative: it's hard to see the (also honest) NZ batting chasing down what looks like more than 400 in the 4th innings.

Scorecard

Cricinfo Bulletin

Taylor's lone hand keeps NZ in match

Australia 231 & 0/35 (14 ov) v New Zealand 264 (63.3 ov, R Taylor 138, M Johnson 4/59) T2 D2 at Hamilton

Ross Taylor's belligerent 138/104b (4x6, 19x4) and the Australian fielders who dropped him several times have kept NZ in the match.

Scorecard.

Cricinfo Bulletin .

Wind drops and NZ revival fizzles out

Australia 5/459 d & 0/106 (P Hughes 86*) def New Zealand 157 & 407 (B McCullum 104, T McIntosh 83, D Vettori 77) by 10 wickets T1 D5 at Wellington

Scorecard

Cricinfo Bulletin

Ill wind does NZ some good

New Zealand 157 & 6/369 (124.0 ov, B McCullum 94*, T McIntosh 83, D Vettori 77) lead Australia 5/459 dec by 67 runs with 4 second innings wkts remaining, T1 D4 at Wellington.

Scorecard

Cricinfo Bulletin

Only weather can save New Zealand

New Zealand 157 & 5/187 (72.0 ov T McIntosh 83) trail Australia 5/459d by 115 runs with 5 second innings wickets in hand. T1 D3 at Wellington

Scorecard

Cricinfo Bulletin

Test firmly in Australia's grip as NZ crumble

New Zealand 4/108 (47 ov) trail Australia 5/459 dec (131 ov, M Clarke 168, M North 112*, S Katich 79) on first innings by 351 runs T1 D2 at Wellington

An even more one-sided day's play than D1 with few noteworthy moments for NZ. Michael Clarke 168/253b (2x6, 22x4) and Marcus North 112*/208b (2x6, 12x4) continued from where they'd left off on D1, adding 253 for the 5th wicket.

Ricky Ponting declared at 5/459, a relatively low score by Australian standards, but it soon looked more than adequate as New Zealand collapsed to 4/43 before some stiffer resistance from Martin Guptill and Daniel Vettori (at no6) restored a smidgin of self-respect.

Cricinfo bulletin and scorecard

Australia on top as Clarke conquers troubles and NZ attack

Australia 4/316 (90 ov, M Clarke 100*, S Katich 79, M North 52*) v New Zealand T1D1 at Wellington

Cricinfo Bulletin