Chappell-Hadlee Series - - Australia Leveled The Series As New Zealand Fall Short Under Duckworth-Lewis Method

Australia returned to winning ways in Auckland as they enjoyed a tight 12-run victory on the Duckworth-Lewis method against New Zealand to level the Chappell-Hadlee series at a game apiece.

Although they once again failed to reach the magic 300-run mark at a ground with small boundaries, their 273 for seven turned out to be a defendable total even after a brief shower saw the Black Caps given a revised target of 266 from 45 overs.

That still proved to be beyond the reach of the home side who were dismissed for 253 despite the best efforts of Napier hero Scott Styris (46) and captain Daniel Vettori, who returned to the side even though he had not full recovered from a neck problem and took two for 43 with the ball and made an almost match-winning 70 with the bat.

Vettori's return was largely prompted by the absence of vice-captain Ross Taylor who was ruled out with a hamstring problem and he was sorely missed as not one of the top five batsmen were able to post a meaningful score.

Mitchell Johnson's heated exchange with Styris in the Napier match ensured he got a less than friendly reception from the crowd at Eden Park who booed and jeered him throughout the match.

But the left-arm quick had the last laugh taking four for 51 from nine overs as he removed dangerman Brendon McCullum (24) in just the fifth over, followed that up with the wicket of James Franklin (two) then got Daryl Tuffey (20) and Shane Bond (six) late on in the New Zealand innings.

Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin made a spectacular diving catch in front of first slip to dismiss McCullum but it was a far more regulation effort that sent Franklin on his way to leave New Zealand reeling on 46 for four.

Ryan Harris (three for 34 off 8.2) also caused some damage early on, trapping Peter Ingram (14) and Neil Broom (duck) leg before wicket with consecutive deliveries before he came back at the death to bowl Vettori and seal the win.

Franklin, using Broom as a runner after hurting his hamstring while bowling earlier in the day, survived Harris' hat-trick ball and then the showers came to allow the New Zealanders a chance to regroup.

Franklin didn't last long after the resumption but Styris marched out with purpose and was quickly into his work slashing two boundaries off Johnson whose first ball to the New Zealand all-rounder was a bouncer that went for five wides.

Styris and Martin Guptill (18) put on 43 runs off 38 balls then the all-rounder combined with Gareth Hopkins, who replaced the injured Jacob Oram and kept wickets because McCullum had a sore back, to put on a further 42 runs before Styris was dismissed two balls after drinks.

With the score at 131 for six, Vettori took charge hitting eight boundaries and two sixes on his way to a fourth one-day half-century but it was ultimately in vain.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, openers Shane Watson and Haddin got Australia off to a good start, the pair putting on 73 runs for the first wicket.

But Watson's dismissal on 47 sparked a poor period for the visitors as they slumped from 73 for one to 116 for four in the space of 10 overs.

Captain Ricky Ponting (one) quickly followed Watson back to the dressing room and although Haddin reached his 51 off 50 balls he added just two more runs to his score before Vettori got him caught and bowled.

Bond, who finished with two for 42 off his 10 overs, then tempted Michael Clarke (11) into a terrible shot and Guptill took a simple catch at mid-on.

That left Michael Hussey and Cameron White to resurrect the innings which they did with a good 101-run stand.

White was far more circumspect than he had been in Napier but he cut loose in the 43rd over striking consecutive sixes off Franklin to bring up his half-century, his 54 taking 59 balls and including just one boundary and three sixes.

But again he mis-timed the next delivery and McCullum took a fine running catch and Australia were 217 for five.

That delivery was the final act of the innings for Franklin who was replaced by 12th man Nathan McCullum.

Hussey however, maintained his composure to make it back-to-back fifties following his 59 in Napier.

But Bond struck back for New Zealand getting Hussey to hole out to Nathan McCullum at long on.

That ended the visitors' hopes of reaching 300 despite cameos from Johnson (16 not out) and James Hopes (29), who was run out on the last ball of the innings.