New Zealand's effort to steal a Test series victory over Australia foundered last night in Perth, but not without some moments of controversy including some dubious umpiring.

The drama of a great final day was caught in the region's newspapers.

The New Zealand Herald: "New Zealand's brave attempt to upset world champions Australia has been foiled by a combination of their own conservatism and another bungling display from umpire Ian Robinson.

"Having outplayed Australia for the entire match, the Kiwis failed to leave themselves enough time to bowl them out twice and had to settle for a 0-0 series draw - which might still be viewed as something of a triumph around the world.

"When stumps were pulled last night Australia were 381 for seven, with Adam Gilchrist unbeaten on 83 off 109 balls and Jason Gillespie on one, still 59 runs behind after a thrilling five days of test cricket.

"Apart from anything else, Mark and Steve Waugh gave their selectors a little breathing space by signalling a return to form with half-centuries apiece, and Gilchrist even managed to give the Kiwis a fright with a typically whirlwind knock which cut the required run-rate dramatically.

"It could have been much different had New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming either presented Australia with a slightly more inviting chase or had embraced a policy of outright attack from the first over - but he left himself open to questions on both counts after yesterday's proceedings.

"Resuming at 69 for two, the Australian batsmen found themselves confronted by essentially a run-saving field, with even dangerman Daniel Vettori operating with just one close-in fieldsman - despite his obvious threat.

"With Australia given little chance of overhauling the world-record target, the onus was on Fleming to use the most attacking field possible and to heap the pressure on the hosts' middle-order, which was suffering from something of a confidence crisis after two previous disappointments."

The Daily Telegraph: "A shattered New Zealand cricket team left for home last night feeling 'Robinson crucified' after their charge at Trans-Tasman glory turned to dust.

"Australia's run of 11 home series wins may have ended but the spirit of attacking cricket blazed on in a fabulous finale to the series.

"Australia, set a world record 440 for victory, finished (7-381) to hold out for a draw and retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy after the series finished 0-0 at the WACA.

"The result was soured by two poor decisions from Zimbabwean umpire 'Fingerless Ian' Robinson who gave Steve Waugh not out on 13 when he appeared to edge behind off spinner Daniel Vettori and Jason Gillespie not out with 41 balls to play when he blatantly gloved behind off Chris Cairns.

"Earlier in the match he gave Shane Warne not out on 80 (he made 99) when it appeared he edged behind off Chris Martin.

"Robinson, an administrator with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and in charge of assessing umpires, might have to give himself a D minus as he struggled to jump from the Zimbabwe club scene into a Test, even though he has done 26 of them."

The Australian: "This was always going to be an unusually tough day for Australia, but Adam Gilchrist made it extraordinary as he belted the New Zealand attack despite a need to draw the third and final Test against New Zealand in Perth to salvage the series.

"Gilchrist smashed seven fours and two sixes in a 62-ball half-century reached in little more than an hour. His last 32 to the 50 took just 10 balls. This contrasted with his captain Steve Waugh, who laboured for almost four hours to make 67 in 154 balls attempting to save the game.

"Waugh, who survived a very confident caught behind appeal on 13, was dismissed in unfortunate circumstances. He was run out when Gilchrist smashed a ball back at Daniel Vettori and the bowler deflected it on to the stumps with Waugh a metre out of his ground.

"Australia may have dominated the rain-ruined Tests in Brisbane and Hobart and probably would have won but for the weather, however, the reality is they did not manage to bowl the Kiwis out once in the series and were behind for almost all of this Test."

The Sydney Morning Herald: "Australia's ranking as the world's best Test team is in jeopardy after they were humbled into holding on for a tense draw against New Zealand at the WACA Ground yesterday.

"Steve Waugh's history-making side will lose the No 1 position on the International Cricket Council Test Championship - and the trophy that comes with it - if they lose the three-Test series against South Africa starting in Adelaide on December 14.

"Though Australia survived a scare yesterday to retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy despite three drawn Tests with a gallant New Zealand, the result of the series dropped them to a 1.54 points average on the ICC table, ahead of South Africa on 1.50.

"So soon after riding high from handing England a 4-1 Ashes thrashing, Australia will now have to improve to avoid being toppled by Shaun Pollock's men.

"Australia at one stage yesterday looked a reasonable chance to pull off what would have been an incredible triumph - making 7-381 from a target of 440, the 12th highest fourth-innings score in Test history.

"Adam Gilchrist, with a hard-hitting 83, gave his side a sniff of victory in the last session before their chances ended with the freakish loss of Steve Waugh 101 runs short of the target, when Daniel Vettori deflected a punishing Gilchrist straight hit onto the stumps at the bowler's end.

"Despite that flourish, Waugh's men have appeared less than their menacing best, the bowling a particular concern given they could not dismiss the New Zealand side in three Tests. It was Australia's first drawn home series since 1993-94."

Peter Roebuck, The Sydney Morning Herald: "New Zealand will feel that the match should not have reached the final hour. Denied by an umpire hard of hearing, let down by a pitch that refused to crack and thwarted by some diligent batting, New Zealand strove mightily against the odds in an attempt to take the required wickets. Had fortune lent its ear to their cause they must have romped home. Instead, Steve Waugh was spared after a snick, as Shane Warne had been in the first innings. Other contentious decisions ended in favour of the hosts.

"Fortunately the serious mistakes were made by the visiting umpire, a Zimbabwean whose fellow countryman had been standing in the controversial contest between India and South Africa that provoked such acrimony. It's hard to believe these newcomers attain the standard needed in Test cricket. Robinson's errors affected the outcome of a series. All the more reason to create a panel of 10 top umpires to stand in all internationals. A magistrate is not allowed to try a murder case."

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