Rain ruins last day as Hobart Test drawn

The second Test between Australia and New Zealand ended in a damp draw on Monday after more than two full days of play were lost because of rain.

The Kiwis were 243 for seven when rain stopped play at 1156 local time (0056 GMT) after 19.2 overs were bowled in 86 minutes. No further play was possible and the game was officially abandoned at 1508 local time (0408 GMT).

The first Test was also drawn. The third and final match of the series starts in Perth on Friday.

New Zealand had resumed at 197 for four, needing a further 162 runs to avoid the follow-on after Australia made 558 for eight declared in their first innings.

Glenn McGrath removed New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming lbw for 71 after the left-hander offered no stroke to the first ball of the day.

Craig McMillan added only four to his overnight score of 51 before he also offered no shot and was bowled by Jason Gillespie (3-45) to leave New Zealand 219 for six.

McGrath then dismissed Chris Cairns for 20 with the total on 223 when wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist took a diving catch in front of first slip.

McGrath took 2-46 from his 27 overs.

Almost 10 hours of play were lost due to rain over the first four days with only 12 wickets falling for a combined 755 runs.

Australia had begun the match with their highest opening day score in a Test for 67 years, 411 for six.

Justin Langer made his third century in successive Tests, the first Australian to do so since David Boon on the 1993 Ashes tour.

Langer (123) and Matthew Hayden (91) shared an opening stand of more than 200 for the second successive Test before Hayden was out with the score on 223.

Ricky Ponting, anxious to score his first Test century in his home state of Tasmania and his ninth overall, made 92 not out on the first day and continued to smash boundaries on the second as he finished unbeaten on 157 with 20 fours.

Scorecard: Australian 1st innings | New Zealand 1st innings

Mail Cricket Editor