New Zealand's top order spectacularly squandered their last opportunity to tune up before next week's first test against Australia as New South Wales ran amok in the final session of the third day at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
New Zealand were staring at a calamitous defeat after losing their lastseven second innings' wickets for 18 runs as a seemingly innocuous wicket turned ugly.
The shell-shocked tourists were bundled out for just 201, leaving NSW 129 for victory with aday to play.
As captain Stephen Fleming made his belated arrival at Sydney Airport, the New Zealand innings went into an uncontrollable free-fall, with the resolute Mathew Sinclair's removal again triggering a serious collapse.
Sinclair's demise for 88 on Thursday was the catalyst for three wickets to fall for nine runs in the first innings. The slide was even more alarming yesterday.
Unruffled in reaching 79, a perplexed Sinclair was out-foxed by Matthew Nicholson's off cutter to be the fourth wicket to fall with the score at 183.
Two balls later Craig McMillan was bowled, his 17 off 25 hardly reinforcing his claims for a recall.
Worse was to follow as Jacob Oram (1) was trapped in front by rookie spinner Jason Krejza, then wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins was snared bat-pad off Stuart MacGill for a single.
Sensing blood, Brett Lee was called into the finish off the Black Caps and he revelled in the chance to mop up the scraps when he skittled James Franklin (6) with the fourth ball of his third spell.
Lee, who had an otherwise unsuccessful day, inflicted more pain two balls later when he sent Ian Butler hobbling gingerly to the pavilion after New Zealand's fastest bowler was caught plumb in front, leaving New Zealand in disarray at 192 for nine.
MacGill had the final say when he trapped Paul Wiseman in front to give him four for 52 and a match analysis of eight for 109 in 40.3 overs.
There was little indication of the horror show that was about to unfold after tea, when Sinclair and Scott Styris returned with the score a solid 142 for two.
Styris was the first victim three runs later when he looked aggrieved to be judged leg before by Krejza for 18.
