Updated December 29, 2019 18:00:01

Photo: James Pattinson's wickets decimated New Zealand's top order. (AAP: Michael Dodge)

Australia has romped to a 247-run victory over New Zealand at the MCG to end the Boxing Day Test a day early and seal a trans-Tasman trophy victory.

A classy century for opener Tom Blundell (121) was a highlight for the visitors, who also passed 200 for the first time this series, but it was not enough to prevent going 2-0 down with one Test to play.

Kiwi quick Trent Boult was ruled out for the remainder of the series early on day four, meaning the New Zealanders were all out when 9 wickets down for 240, with James Pattinson (3-35) and Nathan Lyon (4-81) the primary wicket-takers.

Photo: Tim Paine removed the dogged Nicholls with a sharp stumping. (AAP: Scott Barbour)

Australia declared at 5-168 after Travis Head was bowled by Neil Wagner for 28, setting New Zealand the unlikely target of 488 to win.

Pattinson single-handedly ripped apart New Zealand's top order after Australia's declaration, starting with Tom Latham whom he coaxed into an errant cover drive that edged through to the keeper.

Kane Williamson's poor series continued when he was trapped LBW to Pattinson for a duck, though it was given on umpire's call after DRS showed a coat of paint was all that was in it shaving leg stump.

The other dangerman Ross Taylor followed soon after, chopping Pattinson onto his stumps as Australia finished the first session with a flourish.

Photo: Blundell's brilliant century was not enough to push the match to a fifth day. (AP: Andy Brownbill)

Henry Nicholls got an incredible second life on 13 when he inside-edged Mitchell Starc to fine leg, clipping his leg stump in between without the bail coming off, all on a no-ball.

But Nichols would go for 33 when he reached too far to defend against Nathan Lyon, with Paine whipping the bails off the stumps as the batsman's rear foot dragged outside his crease.

BJ Watling's resistance finally came to an end after a watchful 22 off 63, inside edging a sharp Lyon delivery to leg slip.

Lyon had another when Colin de Grandhomme (9) clipped the ball straight to backward square leg.

Blundell's impressive ton came off 185 deliveries and in the face of incessant chatter from the Australian fielders and high-pressure bowling from the seamers and Lyon.

The off-spinner eventually removed Mitchell Santner, caught behind, after a useful contribution of 27 runs.

Tim Southee's stay at the crease was a brief one as he and Blundell engineered a shocking run-out between them, before the centurion holed out to Lyon off the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne.

See how it all unfolded in our live blog.

Topics: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 29, 2019 09:38:48