Auckland (New Zealand), Mar. 11 (ANI): Australia secured the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy on Thursday with a six-wicket win against New Zealand in the fourth one-day international played here.
Credit for the win went to skipper Ricky Ponting and Cameron White, who helped their team reach the revised score of 200 (Duckworth-Lewis). The Australians had earlier dismissed New Zealand for 238 and had been set a target of 239 for victory.
Thursday's win ensured that the Kangaroos nailed the trophy with a 3-1 series scoreline.
Australia found their way home with 17 balls to spare. Cameron White and Michael Hussey completed the chase, which was set up by Ponting and Shane Watson, and despite a couple of quick wickets in the middle from Daniel Vettori the visitors were on track for most of the evening.
The Man of the Match, White was cool with an unbeaten 50 and Hussey finished on 28, easing any tension the Australians felt when Adam Voges (34) was caught at midwicket with 50 runs still required. Shane Bond had kicked things off well for New Zealand with Brad Haddin caught at slip in the first over but Ponting and Watson cruised from there.
Ponting was powerful with back-foot drives and pulls and, although he should have been lbw for 19, he reached his fifty from 34 balls before being trapped in front by Vettori from his next delivery. Watson (32) was also lbw to Vettori, hurried by an arm ball, but in the reduced contest New Zealand needed a bigger run of wickets to have a good chance.
New Zealand were dismissed for 238 off just 44.1 overs after being sent into bat by Australia.
After Brendon McCullum got the hosts off to a flying start with 61, the New Zealand middle order collapsed as they were dismissed inside the 50-over mark for a second consecutive match.
Only a late flurry from No 9 Daryl Tuffey, who hit four sixes in his 34 off 17 balls, saved New Zealand from total embarrassment.
All the Australian bowlers chipped in, with spinner Nathan Hauritz taking three for 46 off eight overs after Tuffey hit him for three consecutive sixes.
Mitchell Johnson, James Hopes and Shane Watson took two wickets each.
The scores: Australia 202 for 4 (White 50*, Ponting 50) beat New Zealand 238 (McCullum 61, Hauritz 3-46) by 6 wickets (D/L method). (ANI)
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