Australia completes series sweep over New Zealand

Australia quickly wrapped up victory on the fourth day at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday, first dominating with the bat and then simply sweeping away the tourists’ batsmen in a devastating bowling spell in the afternoon.

David Warner scored 111 not out and shared century partnerships with Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne as Australia built a 416-run lead before declaring at 217-2.

Nathan Lyon then claimed his second five-wicket haul in as many days and Mitchell Starc took three wickets as New Zealand was dismissed for 136, its lowest innings score of the series. Warner was at his counter-punching best in bringing up his 24th test hundred and fifth at the SCG shortly after lunch and celebrated with his customary leap, before kissing the badge on his helmet and raising both arms to his home crowd.

Labuschagne (59), with an Australian record 895 runs in five Tests this southern summer, continued to accumulate quickly and reached his half century off 64 balls with four boundaries before holing out in the deep off Matt Henry, prompting the declaration by Paine.

New Zealand received a rare bonus this series with Australia incurring a five-run penalty for running on the pitch late in its innings. The decision by umpire Aleem Dar that Warner and Labuschagne were not veering off the pitch quickly enough while running between wickets seemed harsh on the hosts. The five runs were subtracted from the victory target for New Zealand which had stood at 421. Not that Australia needed that many runs, with the bowling group ending New Zealand’s resistance inside 48 overs. Starc (3-25) had opener Tom Blundell (2) caught by a diving Lyon at point, before trapping captain Tom Latham (1) LBW in his next over to have the tourists at 4-2. Lyon (5-50) was bought into the attack and had Jeet Raval and test rookie Wayne Phillips caught behind by Tim Paine in consecutive wicket maidens to have the tourists at 27-4 at tea.Pat Cummins then sent back Ross Taylor.

Brief  scores: Australia 454 and 217/2 decl in 52 overs (D Warner 111*, M Labuschagne 59) beat New Zealand 256 and 136 all out in 47.5 overs (C de Grandhomme 52, N Lyon 3/25, M Starc 5/50) by 279 runs