Jan 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed higher on Thursday, as energy and mining stocks found support from strong commodity prices, while troubled casino operator Crown Resorts soared 9% after U.S. private-equity firm Blackstone sweetened its takeover offer. The S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO) closed 0.5% higher at 7,474.4, extending gains to a second straight session. Limiting the gains was caution among investors after latest U.S. inflation data showed surging price pressures could reinforce bets that the Federal Reserve will soon be raising interest rates. read more Investors appeared to show scant response to reports that Australia saw its biggest pandemic case-load with a runaway Omicron outbreak driving up hospitalisation rates as the surge continues to put severe strain on supply chains. read more Shares of Crown Resorts (CWN.AX) jumped to a seven-month high after the company said its board was likely to back an improved A$8.87 billion ($6.46 billion) buyout proposal by Blackstone Inc (BX.N). read more "I think we"re getting down to the brass tacks now. We"re getting down to a figure that you either take it or they"ll walk away," said Brad Smoling, managing director at Smoling Stockbroking In their fifth session of gains, miners (.AXMM) were the top gainers with a nearly 3% climb to their highest levels since Aug. 16. Nickel Mines (NIC.AX) and IGO (IGO.AX) rose 5.2% and 3.8%, respectively, as prices of the metal soared amid supply fears. Energy stocks (.AXEJ) jumped as much 1.5% to their highest level in more than two months, tracking gains in oil prices. Australia"s biggest oil and gas firms Woodside Petroleum (WPL.AX) and Santos (STO.AX) jumped 2.3% and 1.6%, respectively. New Zealand"s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (.NZ50) edged 0.18% higher to 12,826.99 with corporate travel and expense service provider Serko (SKO.NZ) up 4.8%.