New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test at Christchurch, NZ v AUS, Mar 08 2024 - Match Result

Australia win by three wickets and take the series 2-0. New Zealand's wait for a victory goes on. There was no way Australia were winning this at 34 for 4 and 80 for 5. Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh pulled it out of the fire, then Pat Cummins was there at the end again. What a performance from the under-pressure Carey. His position is now secure for next season. It was a tremendous effort from New Zealand to turn the game around from 107 for 8 on the first day, but they'll ponder how it got away from them in the end.

Jake: "All smiles between the Aussies, I'm sure Pat will shout Carey a couple of beers for those 2 runs!" Win the game, that's all that matters

Srinath: "Lack of awareness by the captain. Should have blocked that ball and given Carey the opportunity to score his century. Realize team is bigger and a win is a win but Carey is bound to be disappointed after that amazing rearguard effort." You said it: team is bigger. Get the job done.

Here's Sampath: Alex Carey's 98* it the second highest score for a wicketkeeper in a successful fourth innings chase, behind Adam Gilchrist's 149 vs PAK in 1999.

Dr Y: "Australia have had several close victories throughout the summer. The fact that they have managed to win is probably papering over some cracks, particularly in the upper order." - Yes, still plenty to ponder ahead of facing India.

Mustafa Moudi: "Finally Australia breaks the jinx of losing the final test of series and levelling the series which were already in their hand this WTC after Ashes and WI Series. Kudos to Labuschagne, Carey and Marsh for rescuing Australia across innings!!"

Will bring you the presentation shortly...

Alex Carey is Player of the Match: "It was a great series and this game ebbed and flowed. Backs against the wall this morning...so nice to chase those runs down. The ball was nipping around, though Mitch Marsh's intent was outstanding. Got us going. The messaging was, let's play our way. Thought Mitch's innings was brilliant."

Matt Henry is Player of the Series: "It's disappointing but we showed a lot of fight out there. The attitude were brought to keep coming in, the way Ben Sears went about his work, to really crack an end open was brilliant but it wasn't meant to be."

Tim Southee: "Ended up being a great Test. The partnership with Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey, broke the back of our attack, but an exciting end to the day. When you are playing the No. 1 side you need to go that little bit further. Ebbed and flowed throughout the whole match. No one means to drop catches...when you are playing against the best you have to be a bit better for longer. There's a number of positives to take away, Matt Henry has gone from strength to strength."

Pat Cummins: "Pretty tense. Pretty nervous for the last couple of hours. Amazing win. The boys were fantastic today. I had no idea he was on 98. The toss helped, a funny old Test match, day one moved really quickly then the pitch flattened out. We've been on the other side of it plenty of time and if the scoreboard's not moving you feel in the game but if they are chipping away feels like it's happening pretty quickly. That was goal today, be busy, keep the run rate ticking over and bit by bit get closer. We've got a quite an experienced side, had quite a bit of success along the way. Think the story of this series was that in key moments one guy stood up and made themselves a matchwinner. Keep finding ways to win, it's a pretty awesome squad."

So that wraps up the formalities. Another set of trophies to Australia. They haven't been at their best in recent Tests, but overall remain a formidable team. Both these sides now have a lengthy break from Tests - New Zealand until September, Australia until November - as the focus turns to the T20 World Cup, after plenty of names from each side head to the IPL. I'll wrap up our coverage there, we'll have plenty more reaction on the site over the next few hours. It's been a lot of fun bringing you this series but for now, from Gnasher, Abhimanyu and Thilak, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.

A few smiles in the Australia dressing room

Carey needs three for his century

elwarko: "The agony of yet ANOTHER loss to Australia in a game that was ours (NZ) to lose. Signed, weary NZ Public"

Also the fifty partnership between this pair. They've done it very well when the pressure was huge. Perthling: "The ice-man cometh/Cummins...."

Tim: "Poor catching and poor captaincy has cost in this series. Its too late to bring back Henry. "

Long chat between Henry, Southee and Williamson. Two slips, gully and a short cover

Phillips was ready to bowl, but Matt Henry is back. Had to be. Floodlights coming on

It's within touching distance now for Australia. New Zealand need a last moment in inspiration

Sears keeps going

Mark: "They've gotta bring back Henry and give him one last shot."