'That's inexcusable': Kiwis slammed over 'disgraceful' act in Boxing Day Test

New Zealand’s batting display on day four at the MCG against Australia has been widely condemned, with Kiwi great Ian Smith particularly scathing.

Australia are one win away from their first perfect Test summer in six years after wrapping up the trans-Tasman trophy with a 247-run flogging of New Zealand.

‘YOU CAN’T DO THAT’: Aussies umpire's 'embarrassing' act stuns cricket world

Nathan Lyon bowled Australia to victory on Sunday's fourth day of the second Test at the MCG, giving them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Aussies were dominant again on Sunday, with Tom Blundell offering the only real resistance for New Zealand.

He batted superbly to hit his second century in just his third Test, out for 121 in his maiden first-class match as an opener.

However the performances from some of his more senior teammates left much to be desired.

Smith erupted in commentary when Colin de Grandhomme was dismissed playing a wild shot against Lyon when he should have been trying to support Blundell and get him to triple figures.

De Grandhomme danced down the pitch and holed out to backward square leg, completely beaten in the flight but still trying to put Lyon into the stands.

“I’m going to get angry here,” Smith said in commentary.

“I know it’s all entertaining and I know you’ve got to play your natural game, but how about the bloke at the other end, who still sits there on 88, has batted right through.

“That’s not a delivery that if you want to defend is going to get you out. I think that’s pretty selfish batting, to be fair. I don’t like that kind of dismissal.

“When you consider what Blundell has done for his side today, if he runs out of partners, if he doesn’t get to the mark that he wants, Colin de Grandhomme should be lined up because that to me has given it away.”

England great Michael Vaughan was equally unimpressed.

“Clearly de Grandhomme went out there with a mindset of looking to score, but if was soft,” Vaughan added.

“It’s a soft dismissal … you can praise him for taking on Australia, but you’re right. Blundell has fought hard for 245 minutes, 150 balls, only hit 10 fours.

“De Grandhomme came out there for a little bit of a showcase. He’s better than that.”

Smith was also critical of Ross Taylor’s dismissal on the stroke of lunch, slashing at a wide delivery but only managing to drag it back onto his stumps.

“That’s poor batting. I’m sorry, he’s a fine player with a fine record, but look at the clock. You cannot afford to lose another one before lunch, you simple can’t,” Smith said.

“That’s just awful. Ross Taylor might not talk to me for a while, but that was pretty bad.”

Fans were also critical on social media, labelling de Grandhomme’s dismissal ‘disgraceful’ and ‘inexcusable’.

New Zealand completely outplayed

The Black Caps finished on 9-240, chasing 488 for victory, with Trent Boult unable to bat because of a broken hand.

James Pattinson also claimed 3-35 on Sunday to make it six wickets for the match in his first Test on Australian soil in almost four years.

The Victorian broke the Black Caps' backs with the key scalps of skipper Kane Williamson and Taylor in one over just before lunch.

Williamson's wicket came via a controversial DRS call which showed the ball just clipping his leg stump, after he was given out lbw on-field.

It summed up a miserable Test for the New Zealand captain.

After winning the toss and bowling, he watched man-of-the-match Travis Head's century help Australia to 467 in the first innings.

He scored just nine in his first dig as his team were all out for 148, before Australia hit 5(dec)-168 in their second innings.

with AAP