Australia sweeps series 2-0 as Carey scores 98

Alex Carey of Australia plays a shot 

Alex Carey scored a magnificent 98 not out as Australia chased down its 279-run victory target to beat New Zealand by three wickets before tea on the fourth day of the second Test in Christchurch yesterday, sweeping the series 2-0.
Rain at Hagley Oval delayed the start of Australia’s pursuit of the 202 runs it still needed for victory and New Zealand Skipper Tim Southee struck early to dismiss Travis Head and reduce the tourists to 80 for five.
Carey and Mitchell Marsh (80) both had scares but put together a partnership of 140 for the sixth wicket to subdue the crowd and take the visitors to within 60 runs of their target.
Ben Sears (4/90) revived New Zealand hopes of a first home win over its neighbour in 31 years when he removed Marsh and Mitchell Starc in successive balls but Carey and Skipper Pat Cummins (32) got Australia across the line on 281 for seven. 

Southee gave New Zealand the perfect start to the day when he removed Head with the eighth delivery of the opening session.
Wicketkeeper Carey, who took 10 catches behind the stumps over New Zealand’s two innings, came out to join Marsh and they moved towards the target at a fair lick.
Carey kept his wicket by virtue of reviews when he was on 19 and 37 while Marsh was saved on 55 when the technology showed the tiniest bit of bat on a Glenn Phillips delivery that hit him on the toe.
Carey was ultimately denied his second Test century but will care little as he and his captain, who struck a four to the point boundary to seal the win, steered his country to a sixth win in seven Tests over the Australasian summer.
Chief scores: 
New Zealand: 162 and 372 
Australia: 256 and 281/7 (Mitchell Marsh 80, Alex Carey 98 n.o, Pat Cummins 32 n.o, Matt Henry 2/94, Ben Sears 4/90) Agencies