Here's why Australia were slapped with a five-run penalty in the second innings

It was expected to be a riveting clash between the Trans-Tasman rivals but in the end, it turned out to be an ‘Anti-Climax- of epic proportions as the No.2 ranked side in the world- New Zealand- never really turned up to the challenge, leading to the ruthless Aussies notch up their seventh consecutive Test win on home soil since their 1-2 defeat against the Indians last summer.

The New Year Test turned out to be another damp squib as the Aussies knocked over their Trans-Tasman rivals with a margin of 279 runs to notch-up another clean-sweep under their belt. Starting the day at 0-40, David Warner finally converted his start into a hundred while Marnus Labuschagne completed yet another half-century.

But the Aussie innings had its own share of drama. The duo of Warner and Labuschagne were reprimanded by the umpire for running on the danger area. It all happened during the 50th over of the Australian innings when David Warner clipped Matt Henry and took off for a single.

But, umpire Aleem Dar, who had earlier warned Labuschgane of the same, proceeded to penalize the Australians as per the laws. The single that Warner was struck off from Australia’s total and the Kiwis were given a headstart of five runs.

What does the rule say?

According to Law 41.14 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, ‘it is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch’, which is related to the protected area of the pitch- an area covered by an imaginary rectangle 60 centimeters wide which begins 1.5 meters from each of the popping creases.

If an umpire feels that a batsman could have avoided running into the protected area, the batting team is given a first and final warning. And if the batting team does an encore, they are penalized five runs.

Ruthless Lyon runs through the Kiwis, again!

Of-course, those five runs did nothing but reduce the margin of defeat for the beleaguered Kiwis as they were, once again, bowled out for a poultry 136 in just 47.5 overs with Nathan Lyon [5/50] completing yet another five-wicket haul, handing the home side a win by 279 runs.