Hobart: Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a sensational seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Hobart on Monday for the Kiwis’ first win in Australia for 26 years.
The Black Caps claimed eight wickets for 74 runs to claim a dramatic victory midway through the fourth day of an extraordinary Test match at Bellerive Oval.
Bracewell finished with 6-40 off 16.4 overs in an match-winning performance to stun the Australians, who appeared on track for victory at 159 for two chasing 241 runs to win.
But the Australians folded spectacularly and David Warner’s unbeaten maiden Test century went in vain as wickets tumbled around him and last man Nathan Lyon was bowled by Bracewell in the 64th over to claim victory.
It was the Black Caps’ first victory in Australia since 1985 and they tied the two-Test series after comprehensively losing the first Gabba Test by nine wickets.
Bracewell turned the match around with the wickets of Ricky Ponting (16), Michael Clarke (0), Mike Hussey (0), James Pattinson (4), Mitchell Starc (0) and Lyon (9).
Warner finished unbeaten on 123 off 170 balls with 14 boundaries to cement his position in the Test side after fellow opener Phillip Hughes was out again cheaply.
Warner edged out Bracewell as official man-of-the-match in a television viewers’ poll.
The Australian reached his century when he tucked Bracewell behind square leg for two shortly after lunch and greeted his achievement with a leap into the air and a kiss on his helmet.
But wickets continued to fall with Brad Haddin snapped up by Ross Taylor in the slips off Tim Southee and Peter Siddle taken at third slip off Southee for two.
Bracewell finished the game when he bowled Lyon in the 64th over to jubilation among his teammates. (AFP)