New Zealand a sensational 7-run victory over Australia in 2nd Test

Tags: New Zealand tour of Australia 2011-12, Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test at Hobart - Dec 9-13, 2011, Australia, New Zealand, Aus vs NZ, Aus vs NZ 2nd Test

Published on: Dec 12, 2011

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New Zealand to a sensational seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Hobart on Monday for the Kiwis' first win in Australia for 26 years.

Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a sensational seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Hobart on Monday for the Kiwis' first win in Australia for 26 years.

This is New Zealand's first Test win against Australia since 1993 and the first on Australian soil since 1985 and evened up the two-Test series at 1-1 after the hosts won the opening Test in Brisbane by nine wickets.

The Black Caps claimed eight wickets for 74 runs to claim a dramatic victory midway through the fourth day of an extraordinary Test match at Bellerive Oval.

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.

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.

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).

Australia moved into a commanding position chasing 241 to win the second Test against New Zealand, with under-fire openers David Warner and Phillip Hughes sharing an unbroken 72-run stand on Sunday before rain forced an early close to the third day.

New Zealand were dismissed for 226 moments before lunch — an overall lead of 240 — leaving Australia eight sessions to score the runs required to clinch a 2-0 series win.

Chris Martin, Doug Bracewell and debutant left-arm seamer Trent Boult took three wickets each, and Ricky Ponting again failed in his quest for a Test century, as Australia were dismissed for 136 to trail New Zealand after the first innings of the second Test.

New Zealand, bowled out for 150 in their first innings, were 29 without loss at tea on the second day, an overall lead of 43 runs.

Australia had bowlers Peter Siddle (36) and James Pattinson (17) to thank for rescuing them from 75 for seven with a stand of 56 for the eighth wicket to ensure the hosts avoided their lowest score of 103 against the Black Caps.

Earlier in the day, however, it looked like Australia might even struggle to beat the 47 they made against South Africa last month as the New Zealand bowlers ripped through their top and middle orders.

Chris Martin, celebrating his 37th birthday, took two wickets in the extended morning session to add to his one victim before rain washed away two hours' play on Friday. He finished with 3-46.

Resuming on 12-1, the Australians had been looking to build up a big score but ended up scratching for runs as wickets fell with metronomic regularity.

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