Australia retained the Trans-Tasman Trophy when the second Test against New Zealand ended in a draw at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday.Play was abandoned shortly before the scheduled tea break on the fifth and final day because of persistent rain and thick fog that had plagued the match from the outset.Stephen Fleming’s side had been forced to follow-on and were reeling at 48 for three, needing another 278 runs to avoid an innings defeat, when the storms rolled in and caused the players to scurry from the field.“It got us out of jail so we’re not disappointed with the weather,” New Zealand captain Fleming told reporters. “But we’ve clearly got a lot of work to do. We’re being put under a lot of pressure and we’re not responding.”Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said the weather had robbed his team of victory. “It’s a disappointing way for the test match to end,” Ponting said.New Zealand were bowled for 244 in their first innings on the fourth day, 326 behind Australia’s massive 570 for eight declared that featured centuries from Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist, who was named man of the match for the second Test in a row.Glenn McGrath captured two wickets in three balls in the third over and then fellow paceman Michael Kasprowicz claimed his 100th Test wicket. Brief scores: Australia: 570-8 decl drew with NZ: 244 & 48-3 (Vincent 24; McGrath 2-10).
