Australia pull off a thriller

Australia beat New Zealand by two runs in a thrilling one-day match on Wednesday to win the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Australia looked to have the match in hand after Andrew Symonds 156 and Michael Clarke 82 not out helped the world champions post a daunting 322-5 from 50 overs. But the Kiwis, thrashed by 147 runs in the series opener four days ago, almost stole victory with a brilliant display of big-hitting as they were dismissed for 320 off the penultimate ball.

Brief scores

Australia: 322-5 in 50 ov Symonds 156, M.Clarke 82 no; Mills 2/60 bt New Zealand: 320 all out in 49.5 ov Vincent 71, Cairns 60, Oram 41, B.McCullum 49; M Lewis 3/56, B Hogg 2/34.