Cricket:Steve Smith leads Australia to New Zealand series win

 
Australia moved back to the top of the Test rankings after wrapping up a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Christchurch.

Needing 131 at Hagley Oval with nine wickets in hand, the tourists encountered few problems on Wednesday before securing a 2-0 series success to displace India at the top of the ICC rankings.

It followed victory by an innings and 152 runs in the opener at Wellington last week.

Joe Burns (27no) and Usman Khawaja (19no) were at the wicket when play resumed on the final morning, sedately bringing up their 50 partnership and their team's 100 up in the 31st over of the innings.

Another 13 runs were added before Brendon McCullum - in his final Test for the Black Caps - caught Khawaja for 44 off the bowling of Tim Southee.

That brought Steve Smith to the wicket - and the captain upped the pace, sharing in a 66-run stand for the third wicket in 67 balls.

The partnership ended when Burns was bowled by Trent Boult for 65, including nine fours.

Steve Smith on his way to 53no as Australia beat New Zealand in the second Test at Hagley Oval
Smith and Adam Voges finished the job shortly after lunch, Smith bringing up his half-century from 41 balls and going on to finish unbeaten on 53, while Voges hit the winning runs - a square-driven four which saw him to 10 not out.

The victory means Australia have achieved what Steve Smith set out to do when he assumed the captaincy last year by climbing to the top of the test rankings for the first time since July 2014.

The batsman admitted the trick now "was to stay there".

Since December 2014, the Australians have won 12 out of 19 Tests, drawing four and losing three to secure victories in five out of six series. Smith himself is undefeated as captain in 11 Tests, with a personal batting average of 87.46.

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"It's a good start for us. We want to win every series we play and winning away from home is a big goal of mine and the team's," Smith said afterwards.

"We came here at the start of the series wanting to win 2-0 and we knew if we did that we would be number one in the world.

"I guess the challenge for this group now is to extend that gap and try and play some very good cricket home and away."

Smith, who first captained the side for three Tests against India in Michael Clarke's absence at the end of 2014, assumed the full time role after his predecessor retired following the Ashes series loss to England last year.

"We want to win every series we play and winning away from home is a big goal of mine and the team's."

Five others joined Clarke in international retirement as a result of that tour and Smith has inherited a side that is rebuilding.

"I was confident with the guys coming in that they would do the job," Smith added. "Big hundreds are what put your team in a good position.

"I've been really pleased with the way the guys have been able to get through tough periods and be willing to bat for long periods of time...which is the most pleasing thing."