Australia’s Thrilling Victory in 2nd Test: Carey and Marsh Shine in Tense Finish at Hagley Oval
In a thrilling showdown at Hagley Oval, Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh showcased exemplary resilience as they guided Australia to a heart-stopping victory over New Zealand.
Together, they put up a quick 140 runs in the sixth wicket to move Australia one wicket closer to victory.
New Zealand 162 (Hazlewood 5-31, Starc 3-59) and 372 (Ravindra 82, Latham 73, Cummins 4-62) defeated by Australia 256/7 (Labuschagne 90, Henry 7-67) and 281 for 7 (Carey 98*, Marsh 80, Sears 4-90).
In an exhilarating chase of 279 runs at Hagley Oval, Australia defeated New Zealand‘s hopes of a historic triumph with a masterful knock from Alex Carey under duress. When Travis Head was removed early on day four, Australia’s hopes of winning the second Test and completing the series 2-0 looked seriously threatened at 80 for 5. But Carey and Mitchell Marsh, who was dropped on 28 but hit 80, teamed for a quick 140 runs at the sixth wicket to edge Australia past them in 59 runs.
New Zealand’s hopes were restored when debutant Ben Sears, bowling at a pace of 140 kph, turned the tide of the match by taking the wickets of Mitchell Starc and Marsh on successive deliveries. Carey, though, remained unfazed and ended Australia‘s hero with a perfect 98.
Pat Cummins provided him with reassuring support, as he once again got Australia over the finish line, just like he did in the memorable Edgbaston Ashes match last year. The hitters welcomed mid-pitch at an increasingly dismal Hagley Oval as Cummins made 32 and smashed the winning boundary.
Only twice since 2006 had Australia managed to score 279 or more in the fourth innings, compared to 13 other times in history. In Test history, only three teams have amassed a higher total after the fifth wicket fell during a successful fourth-inning chase.
Australia had played 22 Tests in the previous 15 months, thus the victory brought a frantic period of Test cricket to an end. However, they will have a lengthy break from the format as their next assignment is a five-Test blockbuster against India in the summer of the following year.
Australia had only won one series away from home since their most recent Test tour of New Zealand in 2016, so this was a heartening victory.
However, having only triumphed against Australia once in the previous thirty years, New Zealand was left heartbroken as their suffering against them persisted. Several of the team’s veteran players may never again have the opportunity to defeat their neighbors because their next series against Australia isn’t scheduled until 2026–2027.
Rain caused the fourth day’s play to be delayed by an hour, but New Zealand had been in control of the match since they were bowled out for 162 in their opening innings.
Australia’s hopes seemed to be pinned on Marsh and Head, who had combined for 43 runs late on day three following a collapse of the top order, when they resumed at 77 for 4 and needed a further 202 runs.
Under cloudy skies, Marsh attempted to break off Tim Southee’s opening delivery when he struck a ball to backward point, only for Rachin Ravindra to miss an opportunity.
However, New Zealand’s suffering was short-lived as Head repeated Marsh’s full-blooded stroke on the subsequent delivery, and Will Young made no mistakes at all. A difficult season came to an end for Head, who apart from his match-winning century against the West Indies in Adelaide managed just 150 runs in 11 Test innings.
Carey’s position in the team was under scrutiny because he had only made two half-centuries in his previous eighteen innings, and Josh Inglis was breathing down his neck. Encouraged by an Australian wicketkeeper’s record-tying ten wickets, Carey seemed strong as he soon reached 19 until Matt Henry, bowling from around the wicket, trapped him on the knee roll and gave him out leg before wicket.
However, the DRS saved Carey when it detected that the ball was going down the leg side. He calmly carried on with his innings, allowing the runs to trickle in. However, he did have a moment of anxiety when Scott Kuggeleijn loudly called for caught behind on 37. Nerves jangling, New Zealand reviewed failed.
Despite needing an additional 105 runs by lunch, Marsh and Carey, who had begun the innings on the back of two consecutive ducks, found their form again during the Australian heat.
Following the interval, Marsh hit a single to bring the pair’s partnership to a century and cut Australia’s deficit to less than a hundred, making it easier to bat against the older ball. Henry looked to be the man to save New Zealand’s dwindling hopes as he too was going for a 10-wicket haul, but Marsh pressed his counterattack and hit his bouncer for six.
Seeking help, Southee turned to Sears, and it was a brilliant move as he struck Marsh in the center and leg, trapping him leg first. Marsh looked again, thinking the ball was going down the leg side, but an umpire’s call supported it, setting off New Zealand.
When Sears hit Starc square leg on his next delivery, it was chaos at the nearly full Hagley Oval. When Cummins timidly edged in front of second slip, Sears came dangerously close to completing his hat-trick.
However, creative batting from Carey and an unfazed Cummins, who maintained his talent for cool-headed batting in run chases, subsequently frustrated Sears. There were nervous moments for both batters as Southee went back to Henry for a final, fruitless push. With a punch through point to seal the win, Cummins celebrated with a yell, and Carey was short of a well-earned century.
