CRICKET: Warne wraps up test with record

Shane Warne became Australian cricket's most successful bowler when Paul Wiseman became his 356th test victim at Eden Park today, moving one wicket ahead of Dennis Lillee. The fast-bowling legend has promised to buy Warne a beer when next they meet.

That wicket also signalled the end of New Zealand's second innings for 218 runs, 63 short of the total needed to win the first test against Australia. The Black Caps started the final day with five wickets in hand, needing 130 runs to halt Australia's impressive winning run of seven consecutive test wins.

Craig McMillan held the key to the Kiwi effort, with a century needed if New Zealand were to take the game. He was caught by Warne at first slip off the bowling of Brett Lee for 78, the highest individual score of the test.

McMillan departed the crease with the score at 204-8, Vettori followed for a duck and the tail-enders added 14 before Wiseman top-edged to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist for Warne's record-breaking wicket.

Australia next play a four-day game against Central Districts at Napier, starting on Saturday, March 18. The second of the three tests will be played at the Basin Reserve during March 24-28.

Memo to whoever sets the ticket prices: Why were spectators forced to pay up to $20 when it was obvious nowhere near the whole day would be required to find a winner? The test was completed inside two hours.

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