Published: Feb 24, 2016, 06:58 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 24, 2016, 08:53 AM (IST)
Australia comprehensively beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second Test on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0 and go to No.1 in the world rankings. Australia now sits on top of the Test ranking table with India coming a close No.2 with 110 points with South Africa and Pakistan coming in at No.3 & No.4. Set a target of 201 in their second innings at Christchurch, Australia completed the task soon after lunch for the loss of three wickets with captain Steven Smith and Adam Voges batting on 53* and 10* respectively. Smith so far in his captaincy career has lead Australia to nine Test wins from his first 11 matches in charge, a feat only equaled only by Ricky Ponting and Lindsay Hassett. With this win Australia also claim the US$1 million prize for the number one side at the end of the cricket year. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test at Christchurch
Since the start of 2015-16 cricketing calendar Australia have won five of their six Test series against teams such as India (2-0) at home, West Indies (2-0) in West Indies, New Zealand (2-0) at home, West Indies (2-0) at home and now against New Zealand (2-0) in the Kiwi nation. The only Test series defeated they suffered was against England (The Ashes; 3-2). Australia moving ahead into this year are to play four crucial Test series against Sri Lanka (away), then the three teams currently below them below them on the new Test rankings Pakistan and South Africa (home) and as Steve Waugh described it the Final frontier -INDIA. ALSO READ: Steven Smith, Joe Burns march Australia to series whitewash against New Zealand; retain Trans-Tasman Trophy 2015-16
Coming into this series Australia had 109 points from 40 matches, while India were on 110 points with 32 matches. This was the last Test before the April 1 deadline before we head into the ICC World Twenty20 (T20) championship in India next month.
