Reuters

Wellington, Feb 21: New Zealand completed a 3-0 whitewash of their one-day series with Australia after a thrilling one-wicket win in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Australia had looked in command after posting a massive 346 for five, but the Kiwis stunned the world champions with the second-highest run-chase in one-day history to win with just three balls to spare.

"It's pretty difficult and I feel pretty demoralised really...I'll probably take a little while to get over it," Australia's stand-in captain Mike Hussey told a news conference.

"It shows we've got a little bit more to do before we get to the World Cup."

Craig McMillan rescued New Zealand from a seemingly hopeless position at 41-4 with the fastest one-day hundred by a Kiwi, before wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum guided his team home with an unbeaten 86.

New Zealand's win came two days after they successfully chased down Australia's 336-4 in Auckland to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the Chappell-Hadlee series.

"It's been an amazing week for us," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said in a televised interview.

"For cricket in this country and belief in our side for the World Cup, these games have done an amazing thing."

New Zealand's turnaround came after an equally incredible display by Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who was named man of the match despite being on the losing side.

The left-hander batted through the entire Australian innings to finish with an unbeaten 181 - the highest score by an Australian in a one-day match - despite breaking the big toe of his right foot.

Hayden, who also holds the Australian record for the highest test score (380), broke Mark Waugh's previous Australian record of 173 set against the West Indies in Melbourne six years ago.

The Queenslander smashed 10 sixes and 11 fours in his 166-ball knock despite being in agony and needing the aid of a runner after Mark Gillespie struck him with a yorker when he was on 102.

Hayden was taken to hospital at the change of innings where X-rays confirmed the break. He did not field during the New Zealand reply.

"It's been a pretty frustrating day," Hayden told a news conference. "I must admit when I got hit on the toe I knew it was broken...I couldn't put any weight on it at all."

Major Questions

All-rounder Shane Watson made an impressive 68 off 69 balls after being promoted to open the innings and back-up wicketkeeper Brad Haddin smacked 38 off 31 deliveries to ensure the Australians posted a huge total.

But while Australia seem to have solved some of their batting problems, major questions remain about their bowling leading into the World Cup starting in the West Indies next month.

The Australians are in their worst form slump of a decade having lost their last five games in a row following their two defeats to England in the tri-series at home and have been on the losing side in the four greatest run-chases in history - all in the last 12 months.

"The Kiwi batsmen have certainly put (the bowlers) under pressure and it just goes to show we have to execute when we are under pressure," Hussey said.

"If we don't teams are going to chase down big scores."

After ripping through the New Zealand top order, Australia were unable to break the partnership between McMillan and McCullum, who put on 165 for the fifth wicket.

McMillan broke Jacob Oram's record for the fastest one-day hundred by a New Zealander, reaching triple figures off 67 balls and striking 13 fours and five sixes before departing for 117.

McCullum hit five boundaries and two sixes in his 91-ball innings but saved his best for last, smashing 10 off the first three balls of the final over from Nathan Bracken to seal a famous win.

"I'm not sure what the cricket gods have decided about this team but I'm pretty happy," Fleming said.

"We're hoping it's going to continue...we believe it's going to be a good World Cup for us if we continue this belief."