Third Test, SCG, Australia v NZ, day four, SCG

First innings: Australia 454, New Zealand 251

Second innings: Australia 2-217 dec, New Zealand 9-136 

Australia won by 279 runs and the series 3-0

Australia has made a clean sweep of its series against New Zealand, with Nathan Lyon snaring five second innings wickets and a stunning catch to put a cherry on top of a brilliant summer.

A James Pattinson outfield screamer late in the day also had the Aussie fans cheering, as the home side wrapped up the third Test by 279 runs late on the fourth day.

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Pattinson said he was thrilled to take a big catch and contribute to Australia’s series win.

“I just seen the ball going up, I saw Burnsy, I yelled out ‘Mine’ … in the end it stuck,” he told Channel Seven. “Great to get the win today. The boys were fantastic. It was exciting.”

“To bowl them for 130 … it’s a credit to the bowling line-up; Pat Cummins is the best in the world for a reason, Starcky, and Nathan Lyon – 10 wickets – when you have the calibre of those players playing for you it’s pretty amazing.”

Mitchell Starc and Lyon struck early to have NZ reeling at 4-22 chasing 416 to win.

A day after Lyon chastised himself for dropping two catches off his own bowling he redeemed himself with a stunning diving effort at point to remove Tom Blundell for just two runs.

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Starc then followed up to have Black Caps skipper Tom Latham out lbw for just one, with a review allowing the umpire’s original decision to stand.

Lyon was brought into the attack and struck almost immediately, having Jeet Raval caught behind off a faint edge for 12, then having Glenn Phillips also caught behind.

At the tea break Lyon said he was thankful he was able to take the catch off Starc to get the momentum running Australia’s way.

“Luckily I saw it and [I’m] very grateful it didn’t hit my thumb and went straight in the middle of my hand. So lucky,” he told Channel Seven.

The only good news for the visitors was Ross Taylor making his 7173th career run to become New Zealand’s highest run scorer in Test cricket.

The elation didn’t last long, with Pat Cummins bowling him soon after the milestone was reached.

Colin de Grandhomme hit a swashbuckling 52 before holing out to Joe Burns off Lyon’s bowling.

Earlier, David Warner smashed his 24th Test century, with Australia declaring at 2-217.

The total would have been 421 runs, but Australia was penalised five runs by the umpires after Warner was deemed to have run on the pitch.

Warner and in-form Marnus Labuschagne – who fell just four runs short of 900 runs in the summer – pushed on for quick runs before declaring at 2-217

The pair went to lunch with Australia at 1-172, with Warner benefitting from two edged boundaries to move quickly through the 90s and hit his third century of season off 147 balls.

Warner had started the day on 23 along with Joe Burns (16), with Australia at 0-40 – a lead of 243 – after New Zealand was bowled out for 251 in its first innings.

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Labuschagne continued his brilliant summer hitting another half century to bring up the Australian 200. He fell for 59 when caught at long-on off the bowling of Matt Henry.

After a big hitting innings of 40 Burns was given out LBW, with umpire Aleem Dar’s rejection of Todd Astle’s appeal overturned following a review.

Lyon had career-best home summer, snaring 10-118 in the third Test, to surpass the 25 wickets he snagged from six Tests in 2018-19.

Lyon snared 5-68 at the SCG on Sunday – his first five-wicket haul at the venue but also his first five-wicket haul against New Zealand.

Australia’s most prolific off-spinner has now claimed a five-for against all eight Test teams he has faced.

-with AAP