Simon cooks Kiwi curry

PERTH, Nov 23: Australia confirmed their dominance over New Zealand by thrashing the tourists by an innings and 70 runs in the second Test ...

PERTH, Nov 23: Australia confirmed their dominance over New Zealand by thrashing the tourists by an innings and 70 runs in the second Test today to clinch the three-Test series 2-0.

Paceman Simon Cook took full advantage of a wearing pitch that offered variable bounce to lead the rout with a second innings haul of five wickets on his Test debut. Resuming on 69 for three, the New Zealanders wilted to lose their last seven wickets for 105 inside two sessions to be dismissed for 174.

After being at least competitive for much of the first Test in Brisbane before finally going down by 186 runs, New Zealand were overwhelmed from day one in Perth.

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Their batsmen simply could not contain the Australian bowling attack as the wicket deteriorated, revealing several large cracks on the surface. Cook, who replaced Glenn McGrath when the lanky fast bowler was ruled out with a groin injury, finished with figures of five for 39 from 10.2 overs.

He took all five wickets today in a spell that cost just 20 runs, wrapping up the match when pace bowler Shayne O’Connor edged a catch to Australia captain Mark Taylor at first slip.

Cook claimed two wickets in New Zealand first innings as the visitors scored a modest 217 after winning the toss. In reply, Australia hammered a massive 461.

New Zealand suffered an early blow today when captain Stephen Fleming was dismissed for four, deflecting a Warne delivery off bat and pad to Greg Blewett at short leg. Wicketkeeper Adam Parore, whose promotion from number seven to number three has proved a moderate success, frustrated Australia for almost three hours in scoring a defiant 63.

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But he succumbed to poor judgment when he was trapped leg before wicket by fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz without playing a shot.

New Zealand have decided to summon a replacement batsman from home after opener Blair Pocock broke his toe during the match. Pocock was unlikely to play in the third Test in Hobart, starting on November 27, team management said. McGrath has also been ruled out for the game at Bellerive Oval after missing the second Test because of a groin strain.

SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND (1st innings): 217

AUSTRALIA (1st innings): 461

NEW ZEALAND (2nd innings): B Pocock c Blewett b Kasprowicz 1, B Young run out 23, A Parore lbw Kasprowicz 63, D Vettori c Taylor b Warne 1, S Fleming c Blewett b Warne 4, N Astle lbw Cook 19, C McMillan lbw Cook 23, C Cairns b Cook 7, S Doull c S Waugh b Cook 17, S O’Connor c Taylor b Cook 7, G Allott not out 2, Extras: (nb-5, lb-2) 7; Total: (in 64.2 overs) 174FOW: 1-2, 2-53, 3-55, 4-84, 5-102, 6-137, 7-145, 8-160, 9-165

Bowling: Kasprowicz 16-5-43-2, Reiffel 12-4-26-0, Cook 10.2-3-39-5, Warne 26-4-64-2.

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Result: Australia won by an innings and 70 runs to lead the three-Test series 2-0.