Brad Haddin can do no wrong. Missing their vice-captain Michael Clarke, Australia bowled superbly to dismiss the Kiwis for 245 in 46.2 overs when a score of 300 was looking more likely.
The paltry total, and comprehensive nature of a six-wicket win that gave Australia a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, justified the controversial call from Australian captain Ricky Ponting to bowl after winning the toss.
The Kiwis lost 5-32 at the end of their innings as Ryan Harris all but booked a Test-squad berth with 3-48 and Mitchell Johnson claimed 3-41.
Haddin oozed class as he purred his way to 110 - featuring seven fours and five sixes - from 121 balls in a commanding man-of-the-match effort.
His opening partner Shane Watson had been run out for 15 before Haddin and Ponting (69) peeled off a matchwinning 151-run partnership.
''All our bowlers chipped in really well, to restrict them to 240 on that ground was a good performance,'' Ponting said. ''All the guys at the top of the order are in good touch and when you're batting like that, you can't afford to let big scores get away from you. Great to see 'Hadds' go on tonight and make a hundred.
''It was a big game in the series, I thought. We've got the momentum from tonight and hopefully we can keep going with it on Thursday at Auckland.''
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