Oz pluck it from air

Australia crushed New Zealand by nine wickets in the first Test in Christchurch on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and c...

Australia crushed New Zealand by nine wickets in the first Test in Christchurch on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and claim their sixth successive Test win.

The world8217;s top-ranked side cruised to their victory target of 133 in less than 32 overs with a day to spare after bowling out New Zealand for 131 before tea. The match had been in the balance at the start of the fourth day with the Kiwis 10 runs in front and all their second-innings wickets intact. New Zealand, however, lost five wickets before lunch and the remaining five in the middle session as Australia seized control after trailing for most of the first three days.

The fast bowlers ripped through New Zealand8217;s top order with Jason Gillespie capturing three for 38 and Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz bagging one wicket each.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne then destroyed the tail, taking five for 39 from 14 overs to notch his 29th five-wicket haul in Tests and sail past 1,000 first-class wickets in his career.

Unlike the first innings when they piled up 433, New Zealand were more tentative second time round. Seven of their 10 batsmen fell leg before wicket, equalling the world record for a Test innings.

Four batsmen made at least 20 but none did lasting damage, Brendon McCullum top-scoring with 24.

Australia suffered an early setback in their run chase when Matthew Hayden was dismissed for 15 from the last ball before tea, caught in close by Craig Cumming off left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori.

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But Hayden8217;s departure had no effect on the result as opener Justin Langer and captain Ricky Ponting shared an unbroken partnership of 110 to steer their team home.

Langer made an unbeaten 72 in 85 balls, striking 12 fours and a six, while Ponting belted seven fours and a six to finish 47 not out.

Brief scores

New Zealand: 433 and 131 McCullum 24, Gillespie 3-38, Warne 5-39 lost to Australia: 432 and 135-1 Langer 72 n.o, Ponting 47 n.o . Man of the match: Adam Gilchrist