By 
In a gripping conclusion to the second test in Christchurch on Monday, Australia clinched a 2-0 series sweep for the visitors. Wicketkeeper Carey forged a crucial partnership with Mitchell Marsh, tallying 140 runs for the sixth wicket.
Later, he collaborated with captain Pat Cummins as Australia successfully 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.”
In pursuit of their first home win over their neighbors in 31 years, New Zealand had initially placed the tourists under pressure by taking four wickets in the final 90 minutes of play on day three.
Following a one-hour delay due to rain on day four, skipper Tim Southee made an impact early, dismissing Travis Head for 18 with just the eighth delivery of the day, putting the tourists at 80-5.
Looking back, though, Rachin Ravindra’s fumble of a routine catch, which could have sent Marsh back to the pavilion for 28 off the preceding delivery, may have been the more pivotal 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.”
Following the initial setback, Carey joined Marsh, and together they scored briskly, quieting the crowd and gradually exerting pressure on the New Zealand bowlers. Marsh reached his ninth test half-century, while Carey secured his eighth, although both had moments of uncertainty along the way.
Carey managed to retain his wicket through successful reviews when he was on 19 and 37, while Marsh survived a scare on 55 when technology detected the slightest contact with his bat on a Glenn Phillips delivery that struck him on the toe.
The atmosphere remained subdued through lunch, but excitement erupted among the crowd when seamer Ben Sears (4-90) was introduced and promptly dismissed Marsh lbw before claiming Mitchell Starc’s wicket with a catch by Will Young at square leg on consecutive deliveries.
Cummins came to the crease to fend off the hat-trick ball, and Carey narrowly escaped another dismissal when Phillips failed to grasp a difficult catch that would have granted Sears a five-wicket haul on his test debut.
Despite the New Zealand bowlers’ relentless effort, edges often evaded the fielders, and Australia’s batsmen effectively blocked anything aimed at the stumps, steadily maintaining the scoreboard.
Although Carey fell short of his second test century, he and his captain guided their side to the target of 281-7, securing a sixth win in seven tests over the Australian summer.
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