Aussies beat Kiwis by 6 Wickets

Brad Haddin's second ODI century powered Australia to an easy 6 wicket win over New Zealand in the third ODI today.

Chasing 246 for victory, Australia scored 4-248 with 16 balls to spare to claim a 2-1 lead in the five-match Chappell-Hadlee series. Haddin scored 110 runs from 121 balls. He went lucky as he was dropped twice. Haddin hit 7 boundaries and 4 sixes delighting 10550 fans at Seddon Park.

He beat his previous top score by one run and shared a partnership of 151 for the second wicket with skipper Ricky Ponting (69 off 71 balls). Australia showed no sign of being unsettled by the shock departure of Vice-captain Michael Clarke, who quit the tour overnight to be with troubled fiancee Lara Bingle.

Aussies lost opener Shane Watson run out for 15 and Haddin and Ponting were each dropped before they reached 10. The pair scored their half-centuries in 51 and 52 balls respectively, making the Kiwis pay dearly. Ponting was caught at short mid-wicket off Michael Mason's bowling at 2-176 and Mike Hussey (9) fell three overs later.

Haddin was out stumped off Daniel Vettori's bowling at 4-230. Cameron White (25) and Adam Voges (13) were not out at the end. Brad Haddin was declared Man of the Match for his striking batting performance.