Australia‘s middle order orchestrated a remarkable Test victory in the second game in Christchurch by three wickets, securing a 2-0 series triumph against New Zealand. Alex Carey‘s resilient unbeaten 98 defied the Black Caps bowlers, playing a pivotal role alongside Mitchell Marsh, who contributed 80. Skipper Pat Cummins further bolstered the innings with an unbeaten 32 and a crucial 61-run partnership for the 8th wicket with Carey. This stellar performance rescued Australia from a precarious position of 34/4, guiding them to a total of 281/7 to clinch the win on Day 4.
Key partnerships steer Australia to triumph
Carey’s standout moment came in a crucial 140-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Marsh. Despite losing two wickets in consecutive balls to debutant Ben Sears, that included a prized scalp of Marsh. Carey’s determination remained strong and shone through in an unbeaten 61-run stand with Cummins. This remarkable collaboration saw Australia successfully chase down the target of 279.
Mitchell Marsh show
As Day 3 concluded with Australia needing 202 runs to win and New Zealand aiming to secure six wickets, the match hung in the balance. Overnight batters Marsh and Travis Head faced a challenging task. However Head departed early on the fourth Day. In a display of resilience, Marsh and Carey forged a crucial partnership for the sixth wicket, steering Australia closer to victory. Marsh scored 80 runs off 102 balls with 10 fours and a six before getting out. After he departed, it was Carey who took the responsibility for guiding Australia under pressure.
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Debutant Ben Sears sparks tension but Alex Carey and Pat Cummins stand firm
Sears emerged as a force for the hosts, claiming crucial wickets and even finding himself on a hat-trick after dismissing Marsh and Mitchell Starc. Carey, in turn, took on the responsibility of guiding Australia under pressure, forming an essential partnership with skipper Cummins, who displayed grit and resilience, ending the match not out on 32.
Despite New Zealand’s initial dominance with Sears making an impact, Carey and Cummins thwarted their momentum, securing a memorable Test win for Australia. The match showcased the team’s depth, determination, and ability to perform under pressure.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Pat Cummins 👏👏legendary stuff and well done to Alex Carey 👌👌.
After the kind of summer Carey has had, all the backing from the team management has paid dividends.#AUSvNZ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 11, 2024
Enthralling test match between Aust/NZ. Superb run chase with Alex Carey and Mitch Marsh playing beautifully. 👏👏NZ tried so hard but in the end just lacked a world class bowler to finish the job.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 11, 2024
UNBELIEVABLE.
Alex Carey. You LEGEND! 10 dismissals too, career defining game. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Test Match Cricket is the best. #NZvAUS
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) March 11, 2024
Talk about a timely knock!!! Alex Carey, under the pump, with his spot in the side debated over many months, delivers one of the great match winning performances.
Huge…. Giant, even.
One for the good guys!!
What a Test!
(Btw – time for Pat to promote himself above Starc?) pic.twitter.com/44x4zKJLPm
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 11, 2024
Player of the Match: Alex Carey #cricket #NZvsAUS #AlexCarey #Tests #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/6feSPxepAr
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 11, 2024
Awesome win Aussies. 👍
Brilliant from Bison.🦬
Alex Carey deserved a 💯 but his 98no was superb 🧤#NZvAus— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) March 11, 2024
Given his form and the match situation, that innings from Alex Carey sits on the top shelf of knocks for Australia in Test cricket this century.
A very popular player within the team and deserves all the plaudits after that.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) March 11, 2024
That’s a bloody good win by the Aussies. Alex Carey you jet, deserved a ton #NZVSAUS
— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) March 11, 2024
Brilliant by Alex Carey. Nothing speaks “team man” more than being 98 not out in a successful run chase, and letting the skipper hit the winning runs. #NZvAUS
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) March 11, 2024
If we made a team of 11 clutch players in the history of cricket, Pat Cummins would captain that team. Freak. pic.twitter.com/VSSu6zKTWZ
— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) March 11, 2024
What's that saying, "go woke, go superstar"? You're a bloody champion Pat Cummins! #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/u2yP2fTC7t
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) March 11, 2024
Pat Cummins now has more away Test wins as captain than Steve Smith, Ian Chappell, Richie Benaud, Bob Simpson and Don Bradman.#NZvAUS
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) March 11, 2024
Someday I want Pat Cummins to give me a thumbs up after a risky decision I make turns out okay. #NZvAUS
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) March 11, 2024
Has anyone approached Pat Cummins re being PM? I’d be on board with that.
— Daryl Maguire’s tractor (@DarylTractor) March 11, 2024
Clutch. Captain. Cummins. 🫡🔥
In the 2nd innings, 4 wickets with the ball and an unbeaten 32 in a match-winning 8th wicket partnership 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Lehm5Fn7Gv
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 11, 2024
Well played Australia 🤝 The visitors win the Tegel Test Series 2-0 after a 3-wicket victory at Hagley Oval. Head to https://t.co/3YsfR1YBHU or the NZC App for the full scorecard 📲 #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/s0L6NyU6Cn
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 11, 2024
What a chase by Australia!
Marsh, Carey and Cummins were huge! #NZvAUS
SCORECARD: https://t.co/i6C9hIfG0C pic.twitter.com/ht3UOZWDvO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 11, 2024
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