Spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-nz-nathan-lyon-takes-five-as-australia-dominate-in-sydney-272264">Nathan Lyon</a> took 10 wickets for the match as Australia underlined their absolute dominance of New Zealand with a crushing 279-run victory in the third Test at the Sydney&nbsp;Cricket&nbsp;Ground on Monday to sweep the series 3-0.

The hosts were utterly ruthless with bat and ball throughout the series and dismissed New Zealand for 136 having declared on 217 for two after lunch to hand the Black Caps an unlikely victory target of 416.

New Zealand had arrived with some confidence they could repeat the singular feat of the triumphant 1985–86 tourists from across the Tasman Sea but will return well beaten after injury and illness ravaged the squad.

With captain Kane Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls missing because of a flu bug, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-nz-new-zealand-woes-continue-with-bowler-matt-henry-injury-272088">New Zealand</a> had no answer to the fearsome pace of Australia's quicks and the guile of Lyon's spin.

Lyon, aided by paceman Mitchell Starc's 3-25, cleaned up the tail on a deteriorating pitch to finish with 5-50 to add to his 5-68 in the first innings.

After New Zealand had slumped to 22-4, Colin de Grandhomme scored a gritty 52 and BJ Watling 19 off 108 balls and at one stage it looked like a fifth day might be needed for the first time in the series.

But with Matt Henry unable to bat because of a broken thumb sustained earlier in the match Lyon ended the resistance under the SCG lights when he had Watling caught by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-cummins-becomes-ipls-most-expensive-overseas-buy-269295">Pat Cummins</a>.

"It's a great summer for the Australian Test side and it's very special to be part of it, to win Tests at home and be very clinical in all wins, very impressive," off-spinner Lyon said.

"To take 10 on my home deck in front of friends and family is pretty special but every chance you get to put the Baggy Green on is for me a dream come true."

Ross Taylor scored 22 runs for the tourists to take his career tally to 7,174 and overhaul Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's highest Test scorer.

It was a rare glimmer of light for the visitors and five balls after passing that milestone Taylor had his off stump removed by a peach of a delivery from Cummins, the world's top-ranked Test bowler.

"We were outplayed in all departments," said Williamson.

"We were good with the ball in hand but with the bat we couldn't be good for long enough ... Frustrating and disappointing coming here after playing some good&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;for a long period of time."

&nbsp;

Prolific batting

Earlier, David Warner and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-marnus-labuschagne-hits-double-ton-in-australias-454-in-sydney-test-272047">Marnus Labuschagne</a> had produced more of the prolific batting that has helped carry Australia to five thumping victories in five Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand in their home summer.

Warner secured his 24th Test century with an exhibition of batting on his home ground for 111 not out as the hosts looked to quickly inflate the lead of 263 with which they started the day.

The opener, born a few hundred metres from the SCG, hit 154 and 335 not out against Pakistan in the first two Tests of Australia's home season but had failed to get past the half-century mark in five innings in the New Zealand series.

The left-hander looked unlikely to repeat those failures on Monday after resuming on 23 with Australia 40 without loss and he reached the milestone with three runs through mid-wicket off 147 deliveries.

Three balls later Labuschagne, who had joined Warner after Joe Burns was caught and bowled by Todd Astle for 40, passed the half-century mark for the seventh time in Australia's five home Tests this year.

Australia captain Tim Paine declared after Labuschagne, who scored a maiden double century in the home side's first-innings 454, was caught at long for 59.

Warner finishes Australia's five home Tests with 786 runs at an average of 131, while Labuschagne's glorious summer ended with a tally of 896 runs at 112 and both man of the match and man of the series honours.

"I'm very lucky no doubt to be captaining this group, it's a special team," said Paine.

"Batting has become very consistent with Marnus leading this year and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-smith-strikes-a-blow-against-new-zealand-on-boxing-day-270526">Steve (Smith)</a> and David back ... it's pretty simple leading this side at times."

Labuschagne was handed a rare penalty by umpire Aleem Dar for running on the wicket but it never looked like the extra five runs being added to New Zealand's first innings score of 251 would make a difference to the outcome.

Spinner Nathan Lyon took 10 wickets for the match as Australia underlined their absolute dominance of New Zealand with a crushing 279-run victory in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday to sweep the series 3-0.

Spinner Nathan Lyon took 10 wickets for the match as Australia underlined their absolute dominance of New Zealand with a crushing 279-run victory in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday to sweep the series 3-0. The hosts were utterly ruthless with bat and ball throughout the series and dismissed New Zealand for 136 having declared on 217 for two after lunch to hand the Black Caps an unlikely victory target of 416. New Zealand had arrived with some confidence they could repeat the singular feat of the triumphant 1985–86 tourists from across the Tasman Sea but will return well beaten after injury and illness ravaged the squad. With captain Kane Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls missing because of a flu bug, New Zealand had no answer to the fearsome pace of Australia's quicks and the guile of Lyon's spin. Lyon, aided by paceman Mitchell Starc's 3-25, cleaned up the tail on a deteriorating pitch to finish with 5-50 to add to his 5-68 in the first innings. After New Zealand had slumped to 22-4, Colin de Grandhomme scored a gritty 52 and BJ Watling 19 off 108 balls and at one stage it looked like a fifth day might be needed for the first time in the series. But with Matt Henry unable to bat because of a broken thumb sustained earlier in the match Lyon ended the resistance under the SCG lights when he had Watling caught by Pat Cummins. "It's a great summer for the Australian Test side and it's very special to be part of it, to win Tests at home and be very clinical in all wins, very impressive," off-spinner Lyon said. "To take 10 on my home deck in front of friends and family is pretty special but every chance you get to put the Baggy Green on is for me a dream come true." Ross Taylor scored 22 runs for the tourists to take his career tally to 7,174 and overhaul Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's highest Test scorer. It was a rare glimmer of light for the visitors and five balls after passing that milestone Taylor had his off stump removed by a peach of a delivery from Cummins, the world's top-ranked Test bowler. "We were outplayed in all departments," said Williamson. "We were good with the ball in hand but with the bat we couldn't be good for long enough ... Frustrating and disappointing coming here after playing some good cricket for a long period of time." Prolific batting Earlier, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne had produced more of the prolific batting that has helped carry Australia to five thumping victories in five Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand in their home summer. Warner secured his 24th Test century with an exhibition of batting on his home ground for 111 not out as the hosts looked to quickly inflate the lead of 263 with which they started the day. The opener, born a few hundred metres from the SCG, hit 154 and 335 not out against Pakistan in the first two Tests of Australia's home season but had failed to get past the half-century mark in five innings in the New Zealand series. The left-hander looked unlikely to repeat those failures on Monday after resuming on 23 with Australia 40 without loss and he reached the milestone with three runs through mid-wicket off 147 deliveries. Three balls later Labuschagne, who had joined Warner after Joe Burns was caught and bowled by Todd Astle for 40, passed the half-century mark for the seventh time in Australia's five home Tests this year. Australia captain Tim Paine declared after Labuschagne, who scored a maiden double century in the home side's first-innings 454, was caught at long for 59. Warner finishes Australia's five home Tests with 786 runs at an average of 131, while Labuschagne's glorious summer ended with a tally of 896 runs at 112 and both man of the match and man of the series honours. "I'm very lucky no doubt to be captaining this group, it's a special team," said Paine. "Batting has become very consistent with Marnus leading this year and Steve (Smith) and David back ... it's pretty simple leading this side at times." Labuschagne was handed a rare penalty by umpire Aleem Dar for running on the wicket but it never looked like the extra five runs being added to New Zealand's first innings score of 251 would make a difference to the outcome.

Cricket: Lyon roars as Australia crush New Zealand to sweep series

Marnus Labuschagne continued his purple patch of form into the New Year as Australia reached 182 for two at tea on the first day of the third Test against a New Zealand side ravaged by illness and missing captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-new-zealand-sweat-on-ailing-williamson-and-nicholls-271562">Kane Williamson</a> on Friday.

A Blacks Caps side featuring five changes from the side which lost in Melbourne to cede the three-match series battled gamely but Labuschagne looked well set on 73 not out after scoring his sixth half-century in his last seven innings.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-smith-strikes-a-blow-against-new-zealand-on-boxing-day-270526">Steve Smith</a> was unbeaten on 42 having taken 39 balls to get off the mark, his determination not to fall to <a>New Zealand</a> quick Neil Wagner for a fifth time in this series apparently overcoming his desire to score runs.

Wagner did take one big wicket when he removed David Warner for 45 three balls after lunch with a delivery down the leg side that the Australian opener steered to gully for Colin de Grandhomme to take a fine catch.

De Grandhomme was responsible for the one wicket to fall in the first session when he had the other opener, Joe Burns, caught in the slips off an outside edge for 18.

The day got off to a chaotic start for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-new-zealand-collapse-to-148-all-out-under-australian-pace-barrage-270701">New Zealand</a> when Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls were ruled out of the match by a flu virus just before the toss, while spinner Mitchell Santner was too ill to leave the team hotel.

Tom Latham was named captain in Williamson's place and his first act was to lose a toss the tourists would have been desperate to win after selecting two spinners and dropping paceman Tim Southee.

With Southee's usual strike partner Trent Boult ruled out by injury, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-stunned-new-zealand-fight-to-save-second-australia-test-270820">New Zealand</a> started a test for the first time in more than a decade without one of the pair or Williamson in the side.

Both teams wore black armbands in memory of those who have lost their lives in the bushfires and before the start of play joined the crowd in a minute of applause for the emergency services fighting the conflagrations.

The skies were clear of the bushfire smoke that has shrouded the city on several occasions over the last few months and has organisers prepared for delays during the match.

Marnus Labuschagne continued his purple patch of form into the New Year as Australia reached 182 for two at tea on the first day of the third Test against a New Zealand side ravaged by illness and missing captain Kane Williamson on Friday.

Marnus Labuschagne continued his purple patch of form into the New Year as Australia reached 182 for two at tea on the first day of the third Test against a New Zealand side ravaged by illness and missing captain Kane Williamson on Friday. A Blacks Caps side featuring five changes from the side which lost in Melbourne to cede the three-match series battled gamely but Labuschagne looked well set on 73 not out after scoring his sixth half-century in his last seven innings. Steve Smith was unbeaten on 42 having taken 39 balls to get off the mark, his determination not to fall to New Zealand quick Neil Wagner for a fifth time in this series apparently overcoming his desire to score runs. Wagner did take one big wicket when he removed David Warner for 45 three balls after lunch with a delivery down the leg side that the Australian opener steered to gully for Colin de Grandhomme to take a fine catch. De Grandhomme was responsible for the one wicket to fall in the first session when he had the other opener, Joe Burns, caught in the slips off an outside edge for 18. The day got off to a chaotic start for New Zealand when Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls were ruled out of the match by a flu virus just before the toss, while spinner Mitchell Santner was too ill to leave the team hotel. Tom Latham was named captain in Williamson's place and his first act was to lose a toss the tourists would have been desperate to win after selecting two spinners and dropping paceman Tim Southee. With Southee's usual strike partner Trent Boult ruled out by injury, New Zealand started a test for the first time in more than a decade without one of the pair or Williamson in the side. Both teams wore black armbands in memory of those who have lost their lives in the bushfires and before the start of play joined the crowd in a minute of applause for the emergency services fighting the conflagrations. The skies were clear of the bushfire smoke that has shrouded the city on several occasions over the last few months and has organisers prepared for delays during the match.

Sydney Test: Labuschagne leads charge against New Zealand as Australia take charge

A flu-like bug that has ripped through the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-stunned-new-zealand-fight-to-save-second-australia-test-270820">New Zealand</a> squad ahead of the third Test against Australia forced captain Kane Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls to miss training for the second successive day on Thursday.

Tom Latham, who took the captain's press conference in the absence of Williamson, said left-arm spinner Mitch Santner had also been affected by the bug but he was hopeful all three would be fit to play when the Test got underway on Friday.

"It's up in the air at the moment but a couple of the boys are a bit crook unfortunately," Latham told reporters at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-new-zealand-collapse-to-148-all-out-under-australian-pace-barrage-270701">Sydney&nbsp;Cricket&nbsp;Ground</a> (SCG).

"They're going to have today off as well as yesterday, so fingers crossed tomorrow they'll be right to go.

"I think it's flu-like symptoms, I'm not 100% sure," he added. "It's gone around the team a little bit, which isn't ideal, but they're resting up today and hopefully they'll be good to go."

New Zealand were beaten heavily in the first two Tests of the three-match series but the loss in particular of world class batsman Williamson would be a major blow to their hopes of putting in a good performance to close out the tour.

Latham, however, thought it would have to be a very serious illness for his captain to miss the match.

"I think it will take a lot," he said. "He's obviously a great leader amongst this group and he's passionate about this group so if there's any chance of him playing, even if it is a small chance, I'm sure he'll play."

Santner was under pressure for his place in the side in any case after taking 1-250 over the first two Tests and his illness makes it even more likely that off-spinner Will Somerville will play his fourth Test.

The 35-year-old former accountant, who knows the SCG well after playing for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-orders-mass-evacuation-over-bushfire-danger-military-moves-in-to-help-271499">New South Wales</a> for four years until 2018, was called into the squad this week.

New Zealand have only one extra batsman in the squad but Latham said the presence of a few all-rounders would make the position easier if Williamson and Nicholls were unable to play.

"Obviously if we lost those guys it would be a little bit disappointing but ... whatever side we end up playing, we've got the backing of the whole group that it's the right team to do the job," he said.

"We haven't necessarily played our best brand of&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;since we've been over here and the guys are really excited to go out there over the next five days and try to put in a good performance."

A flu-like bug that has ripped through the New Zealand squad ahead of the third Test against Australia forced captain Kane Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls to miss training for the second successive day on Thursday.

A flu-like bug that has ripped through the New Zealand squad ahead of the third Test against Australia forced captain Kane Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls to miss training for the second successive day on Thursday. Tom Latham, who took the captain's press conference in the absence of Williamson, said left-arm spinner Mitch Santner had also been affected by the bug but he was hopeful all three would be fit to play when the Test got underway on Friday. "It's up in the air at the moment but a couple of the boys are a bit crook unfortunately," Latham told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). "They're going to have today off as well as yesterday, so fingers crossed tomorrow they'll be right to go. "I think it's flu-like symptoms, I'm not 100% sure," he added. "It's gone around the team a little bit, which isn't ideal, but they're resting up today and hopefully they'll be good to go." New Zealand were beaten heavily in the first two Tests of the three-match series but the loss in particular of world class batsman Williamson would be a major blow to their hopes of putting in a good performance to close out the tour. Latham, however, thought it would have to be a very serious illness for his captain to miss the match. "I think it will take a lot," he said. "He's obviously a great leader amongst this group and he's passionate about this group so if there's any chance of him playing, even if it is a small chance, I'm sure he'll play." Santner was under pressure for his place in the side in any case after taking 1-250 over the first two Tests and his illness makes it even more likely that off-spinner Will Somerville will play his fourth Test. The 35-year-old former accountant, who knows the SCG well after playing for New South Wales for four years until 2018, was called into the squad this week. New Zealand have only one extra batsman in the squad but Latham said the presence of a few all-rounders would make the position easier if Williamson and Nicholls were unable to play. "Obviously if we lost those guys it would be a little bit disappointing but ... whatever side we end up playing, we've got the backing of the whole group that it's the right team to do the job," he said. "We haven't necessarily played our best brand of cricket since we've been over here and the guys are really excited to go out there over the next five days and try to put in a good performance."

Cricket: New Zealand sweat on ailing Williamson and Nicholls