Australia held on for a draw on the controversial final day of the series-deciding third cricket test against New Zealand at the WACA Ground in Perth today.
Australia finished with 381 for seven wickets, 59 runs short of their winning target, to retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy they have held for seven years. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist (83) and Jason Gillespie (1) kept the Kiwis at bay in a tense last few overs.
Australia had been set the huge task of scoring 440 runs from a minimum of 107 overs when New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming declared his side's second innings closed at 256 for nine wickets.
The draw was the third of the three-Test series after the first two games in Brisbane and Hobart had been ruined by rain.
The final day was dogged with controversy, with both captain Steve Waugh (67) and Gillespie ruled not out after TV replays showed they had clearly been caught.
If Australia had succeeded, their efforts would have been the best run chase for victory in the 124 years of Test cricket.
The Perth match will be remembered for New Zealand's achievement in providing four centurymakers in their first innings.
Nathan Astle made 156 not out, Adam Parore 110, skipper Stephen Fleming 105 and debutant Lou Vincent 104.
It was the first time four New Zealand batsmen have scored centuries in the same innings of a Test.
AFP