Aussies hold on for narrow win

All-rounder Andrew Symonds struck a sensational century for visitors Australia © Getty Images

New Zealand fell two runs short of a famous win over Australia in a thrilling one-day international in Wellington.

A blockbusting innings of power-hitting by Andrew Symonds set Australia on their way as they reached 322 for five in their 50 overs, a record score at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

But with the match going down to the wire, a fine performance by debutant Mick Lewis and two run outs in the final over of the match ensured Australia held on for a win despite what could have been a costly mix-up in the field in the 49th over.

Brett Lee's final over saw the fast bowler go for five off a beamer then no-balled for a bouncer before Australia were penalised again for having only three players in the circle, much to captain Ricky Ponting's consternation, leaving New Zealand needing six runs from the 50th and last over.

Michael Clarke also added crucial runs for visiting Australia © Getty Images

But after scoring an unbeaten 82 Michael Clarke capped off a fine day with the superb run-out of Brendon McCullum, then Lewis ran out Kyle Mills to give Australia a two-run win and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series.

While Lee had been the Black Caps chief destroyer in the opening match in Auckland it was Symonds and Clarke who did the damage this time round.

Symonds stole the show though with a brilliant batting display, including taking three successive sixes off Chris Cairns in the 48th over after the tourists had been reduced to 50 for three with the dismissals of Adam Gilchrist (eight), Ponting (28) and Brad Hodge (nought).

After a quiet start, which saw him dropped by Cairns on 14, Symonds worked the singles effectively with Simon Katich before the opener was superbly run out by Hamish Marshall for 36.

Symonds then paired with Clarke to see off Daniel Vettori and Scott Styris before turning on the power as he plundered the New Zealand attack, scoring his final 56 runs in just 18 balls.

Lou Vincent ensured New Zealand replied in positive fashion © Getty Images

He took 70 balls to reach his 50, brought up with a single off Vettori, but took only a further 39 balls to bring up his third one-day century.

Symonds was finally bowled by the Black Caps left-arm spinner for 156, which included eight sixes and 12 boundaries, in the last over of the innings.

It brought to an end a record fifth-wicket stand of 220 with Clarke, also the highest ever partnership for Australia against New Zealand.

Symonds' innings was the third highest by an Australian in one-day internationals behind Mark Waugh and Gilchrist and the highest in matches involving the trans-Tasman rivals.

While Symonds was blasting the ball all around the park Clarke was also keen to get in on the action after struggling for form in recent games and aware Test spots were up for grabs.

His half-century included 32 singles and just four boundaries and he finished unbeaten on 82 with Mike Hussey one not out at the close of the 50 overs.

Run-outs proved costly for the Black Caps © Getty Images

In reply, New Zealand got off to a good start thanks to a quick-fire 71 from opener Lou Vincent, who was keen to make amends for the dismal effort by the top order last Saturday.

He smacked two sixes and nine boundaries in his 48-ball innings and, despite requiring a runner after injuring his thigh, he and Nathan Astle took the Black Caps to 93 before Vincent edged behind to Gilchrist to become Lewis' first one-day international wicket.

Lewis quickly doubled his tally when Astle top-edged to Stuart Clark to leave the Black Caps on 98 for two.

That soon became 134 for four when Craig McMillan (nine) and Hamish Marshall's (10) batting woes continued.

Styris hung around to make a gritty 25 before being caught and bowled by Hogg, leaving Cairns and Jacob Oram to continue the chase.

Cairns, after another big-hitting display, finally departed for 60, caught by Lee on the boundary, to become Lewis' third victim and when Oram departed for 41 in the 45th over New Zealand's hopes faded further.

But the Australian mix-up in the penultimate over, James Marshall's six, Brendon McCullum's 48 and stand-in skipper Vettori's unbeaten eight ensured a grandstand finish.