Australia's return to the top hit by controversy

Australia sealed a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand to reach the top Test ranking Wednesday but captain Steve Smith was forced to defend huis team's aggressive style as he was charged with dissent.

With Smith smacking 53 off 46 balls, Australia polished off the 131 runs it needed on the last day to reach its 201 target just after lunch in what was New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum's final Test.

The match had no sooner finished than Smith was charged over Tuesday's profanity-laced confrontation with the umpires that earlier saw fast bowler Josh Hazlewood fined 15 percent of his match fee.