Cricket: Ponting lashes out as Black Caps go slow

Ricky Ponting celebrates the test and series victory at Eden Park. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Australia ended their demolition derby through New Zealand in much the same way as they started it, battering the home side in the final test and firing a couple of parting shots for good measure.

The side who almost vaporised New Zealand in a Twenty20 spectacle early last month finished one of the most lopsided tours in recent memory with a nine-wicket win at Eden Park yesterday following a 5-0 rout in the one-dayers.

Having ended New Zealand's second innings resistance at 254, the Australians cantered to the winning target of 164 in fading light and drizzle, eventually reaching the mark in less than 30 overs.

The innings was again skilfully guided by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who followed up his match-turning century on Sunday with 86 off 84 balls, including 11 fours and a brace of sixes.

Just as in Christchurch when Australia won the first test by the same margin, Ponting found an ally in opener Justin Langer, who struck an unbeaten 59 as the pair added 148 for the second wicket.

When Australia started their chase, the prospect of scoring at four-an-over through 41 overs seemed to be a demanding one for even them, considering the state of the light and New Zealand's pedestrian over-rate.

However, despite New Zealand falling close to 10 overs behind the prescribed rate, Ponting made it clear that unless the match was interrupted by rain, there would be no need for a fifth day.

He even continued to attack well after the test had ended, criticising opposition captain Stephen Fleming's go-slow through the last session, and New Zealand's apparent delaying tactics.

"I was a bit surprised at the way they were really trying to slow things down, and basically play on the weather coming in tonight or tomorrow," Ponting said.

"They were hoping to sneak through and hope it rained all day tomorrow.

"I was pretty disappointed with that.

"They were 11 overs down, something stupid like that."

Quickly on to anything short, and just as grateful for anything full, Ponting continued his trend of demoralising the New Zealand pace bowlers and particularly Chris Martin who he smashed to all corners of the ground.

The prolific right-hander, who has now scored 6946 runs, needs just 54 more to pass Sir Donald Bradman and reach the 7000-mark, an Australian achievement previously managed by only Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor, David Boon and Greg Chappell.

New Zealand had started the day with hopes of mounting some determined resistance and setting Australia a total of more than 250, something they believed could be a useful chase on a fifth-day pitch.

But all their plans soon turned to custard when Stephen Fleming was smartly caught and bowled by Jason Gillespie, Hamish Marshall was caught at the wicket off Glenn McGrath, and an in-form Lou Vincent ran himself out.

There were some counter-attacking moments from Nathan Astle, who top-scored with a typically belligerent 69, and later from Daniel Vettori (65), James Franklin and Paul Wiseman, but not enough substance to genuinely threaten the tourists.

The only consolation for New Zealand this morning is that they can now start exorcising the ghosts from the transtasman series in preparation for starting afresh against the Sri Lankans next week.