Australia prevail in thrilling finale

Cricket Third Test : Hosts notch 3-wicket win to claim series 2-0

 Australia claimed a thrilling three-wicket victory over New Zealand inside three days at the Adelaide Oval in the first-ever day-night Test match on Sunday.

Shaun Marsh anchored Australia to the cusp of victory before losing his wicket on 49, and the battling Kiwis set up a tense finish under the floodlights by also dismissing Peter Nevill to leave the home side seven wickets down.

Much to the crowd's relief, Peter Siddle cracked the winning runs with a hobbling Mitchell Starc as his batting partner, to clinch a 2-0 series victory over the gallant Black Caps. Australia won the first Brisbane Test by 208 runs and the second Test at Perth was drawn.

The match was redemption for Marsh, who has struggled to hold down a place in the Australian team with inconsistent batting performances over his four years at Test level.
"It was fantastic for Shaun to get an opportunity," said skipper Steve Smith. "He's been batting extremely well and the way he played under pressure with his brother to put a partnership together was really crucial for us at that stage."

The pink ball developed for day-night Tests triumphed over the bat in a fast-paced Test which attracted a total attendance of 123,736. The aim of the experiment is to bring the crowds back to the long form of the game.

"The bowlers have dominated this game and it's great for cricket," Smith said.
 "I thought it was an outstanding Test match. It was closely fought. We'd dearly have loved an extra few runs today, but it wasn't to be," said Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum.
"It's pretty hard to separate the two teams over the last two Test matches."

Earlier, New Zealand lost their last five wickets in the day's first session to be bowled out for 208.

score board

NEW ZEALAND (I Innings): 202              
AUSTRALIA (I Innings): 224 
NEW ZEALAND (II Innings; O/n: 116/5):
Latham c Nevill b Hazlewood    10
Guptill c M Marsh b Hazlewood    17
Williamson c Nevill b M Marsh    9
Taylor lbw Hazlewood    32
McCullum lbw M Marsh    20
Santner st Nevill b Lyon    45
Watling c Smith b Hazlewood    7
Craig c Nevill b Hazlewood    15
Bracewell (not out)    27
Southee c Lyon b M Marsh    13
Boult b Hazlewood    5
Extras (B-6, LB-2)    8
Total (all out, 62.5 overs)    208
Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-32, 3-52, 4-84, 5-98, 6-116, 7-140, 8-175, 9-192 Bowling: Hazlewood 24.5-5-70-6, Siddle 14-6-35-0, Marsh 14-2-59-3, Lyon 10-1-36-1.               
AUSTRALIA (II Innings): 
Warner c Southee b Bracewell    35
Burns lbw Boult    11
Smith lbw Boult    14
Voges c Southee b Boult    28
S Marsh c Taylor b Boult    49
M Marsh c Williamson b Santner    28
Nevill c Watling b Boult    10
Siddle (not out)     9
Starc (not out)     0
Extras (LB-2, W-1)    3
Total (for 7 wkts, 51 overs)    187
Fall of wickets: 1-34,2-62 D, 3-66, 4-115, 5-161, 6-176, 7-185.
Bowling: Southee 16-1-58-0, Boult 16-3-60-5, Bracewell 11-2-37-1, Craig 6-0-22-0, Santner 2-0-8-1.