ADELAIDE, Nov 30: Australia wrapped up a 2-0 win in the series after beating New Zealand by 213 runs on the fifth day of the second and final Test at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
The Kiwis, chasing a huge target of 464, were bowled out for 250 when world record holder Shane Warne (2-79) had last man Chris Martin caught by a diving Ricky Ponting at short leg for two in the second over after lunch.
Australia opener Justin Langer was made Man-of-the-Match for his knocks of 215 and 46. Paceman Glenn McGrath, who took six wickets in Adelaide and three in the first Test in Brisbane, was selected as Man-of-the-Series.
Captain Ponting said his side had played brilliant cricket in the series. The home team won the first match in Brisbane by an innings and 156 runs. "We planned this game really well and we've come away with another great win," Ponting told reporters.
The Australia skipper heaped praise on his front-line bowling quartet of Warne, McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. "The way we were able to build pressure and maintain pressure on a very good batting wicket was something very special in itself," said Ponting.
"Our batting was pretty relentless as well," he added in reference to Australia's first innings of 575 for eight declared." Ponting's counterpart Stephen Fleming said his team had performed below expectations and deserved criticism, even though they were up against the world's top-ranked side.
"It was a comprehensive display from Australia, one of the better displays throughout a series that I've seen," Fleming said. "Some of their bowling during the Test matches was superb. It was like having three Richard Hadlees and the greatest leg-spinner of all (Warne).
"The Australian team is by far the most superior cricket team around. There is more development to come and that is the scary thing." Daniel Vettori offered the most resistance for New Zealand on Tuesday.
He hit 59, including seven fours, in 111 minutes before being caught by mid-off Gillespie off part-time spinner Darren Lehmann (2-46) from the last ball before lunch. The tourists had resumed on 149 for five and lost four wickets for 94 in the morning session.
Jacob Oram was the first to go, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist off McGrath (2-32) for his overnight 40. Wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum, who had added 53 for the sixth wicket with Oram, fell 10 runs later when he was lbw to Gillespie (2-41) for 36.
Vettori and James Franklin delayed the inevitable defeat with a 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket before Franklin was caught behind off Kasprowicz (2-39) for 13.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) 575-8 declared (J.L. Langer 215, D.S. Lehmann 81, M.L. Hayden 70, R.T. Ponting 68, S.K. Warne 53 not out, A.C. Gilchrist 50; D.L. Vettori 5-152).
