Aussies wrap up win
23 November, 2008
Mitchell Johnson Mitchell Johnson has claimed a maiden five-wicket haul as Australia took little time to wrap up a comfortable 149-run victory over New Zealand early on day four of the 3 Mobile Test at the Gabba.
Johnson make light-work of the Black Caps batting order, chiming in with career-best figures of 5-39 as the visitors failed to last an hour, falling for 177.
The Black Caps resumed the day at 6-143, still 184 runs away from an unlikely victory and needing huge performances from the pair at the crease, Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori.
Taylor, who started the day on 67 after notching a fluent half century on day three, and Vettori, who was yet to spend a minute in the middle, were the last recognised batsmen in the visitor's misfiring order.
The pair, two of only three batsmen in the New Zealand side to have a Test century to their name, initially showed some fight, but the resistance lasted less than half an hour when Johnson removed the duo.
A soaring Andrew Symonds pulled down a one-handed catch at point to see the end of Vettori after the NZ skipper played a loose drive to a wide ball from Johnson.
Johnson struck in his next over when Taylor failed to negotiate an angled delivery from the left-armer, edging to a diving Brad Haddin as a defiant knock of 75 came to an end.
Stuart Clark, who picked up figures of 4-43 to be the other star with the ball, then made it three wickets in fifteen minutes when he removed Iain O'Brien with a slower ball.
With the end nigh, Tim Southee decided to show off his free-wheeling talents with the willow, slamming two booming sixes off Clark to make a dent in the New South Welshman's figures.
It mattered little though as the match came to a premature end with Johnson claiming his five-for when he removed Chris Martin's middle stump.
Johnson, who removed dangermen Jesse Ryder and Daniel Flynn on day three, made light work of the visitors.
His was rewarded with man-of-the-match honours after his efforts of 4-30 in the first innings and a handy second innings knock of 31.
The match ebbed and flowed and Australia's meager totals of 214 and 268 were propped up by brave knocks of 98 from Michael Clarke in the first innings and a remarkable unbeaten 131 from Simon Katich in the second.
Katich became the 10th Australian opener ever to carry his bat though a Test innings to help ensure the result.
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