Carey shines as Australia find a way to win in Christchurch

Alex Carey scored a magnificent unbeaten 98 to drive Australia to victory over New Zealand by three wickets in a tense conclusion to the second test in Christchurch on Monday, sealing a 2-0 series sweep for the visitors.

Wicketkeeper Carey combined with Mitchell Marsh in a match-winning partnership of 140 for the sixth wicket and then teamed up with captain Pat Cummins as Australia chased down their 279-run victory target before tea on day four.

"It was pretty tense," said Cummins, who scored 32 not out and hit the winning runs with a four to the point boundary.

"I think the story of this series was in key moments, someone stood up and made themselves a match-winner so yeah, keep finding ways to win. It's a pretty awesome squad."

New Zealand, chasing a first home win over their neighbours in 31 years, had put the tourists on the back foot with four wickets in the last 90 minutes of play on day three.

After rain delayed the start of day four for an hour, skipper Tim Southee struck with the eighth delivery to dismiss Travis Head for 18 and reduce the tourists to 80-5.

In retrospect, however, Rachin Ravindra fumbling a straightforward catch that would have sent back Marsh for 28 off the previous delivery was perhaps the more significant moment.

"I think whenever you've finished a close game you always look back on a number of things," said Southee, who with fellow stalwart Kane Williamson was playing his 100th test.

"This morning was always going to be a crucial period with the ball still reasonably new, and we were able to beat the bat a few times but they were able to weather that storm.

"Obviously, the partnership between Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey just sort of broke the back of our attack."

CROWD SUBDUED

The defeat left the