Cricket: Bond and Southee inspire NZ to victory

Tim Southee was named man of the match for his four wicket bag in his side's 51-run victory over Australia. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand climbed off the canvas to snatch a dead rubber victory against Australia in a controversy-packed Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day cricket finale tonight.

Led by pace duo Shane Bond (4-26) and Tim Southee (4-36), and helped by a howler from home umpire Gary Baxter to remove Ricky Ponting first ball, New Zealand scrapped their way to a 51-run victory in game five at Westpac Stadium.

Chasing 242, Australia were dismissed for 190 off 46.1 overs with Bond delivering the final blow as he prepares to head for the Indian Premier League next week. For young Southee it was a zero to hero performance after he conceded 55 off five overs in the six-wicket defeat in Auckland.

Home skipper Daniel Vettori rotated his bowlers expertly and also removed Australia's last hope James Hopes for 40 in the 46th over.

The trophy was already gone after three consecutive Australian victories but the performance before a crowd of 11,587 restored some New Zealand confidence ahead of the two-test series starting here on Friday.

It also sealed the Cake Tin as New Zealand's favourite ODI ground as they recorded a sixth consecutive victory there.

Defending a sub-par total, New Zealand needed a flying start and their go-to man Bond provided it with expert help from Baxter.

A fired-up Bond removed dangerman Brad Haddin with a lethal bouncer then repeated the dose to captain Ricky Ponting first ball as the whole New Zealand team roared for caught behind.

After a long deliberation, Baxter obliged and Ponting fumed as replays showed he'd missed the ball by centimetres and it brushed his helmet instead.

Southee then struck a double blow with umpire assistance, dismissing Cameron White to a false pull shot then Adam Voges caught behind.

The latter replay showed Voges missed the ball but Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf - who denied Daryl Tuffey a certain lbw against Ponting on Thursday - was convinced.

When the recalled Nathan McCullum snared dangerman Shane Watson for 53 it was 96 for five in the 27th.

Master finisher Michael Hussey remained the biggest hurdle, with an average of 91.66 in New Zealand ODIs, as New Zealand took the power play at 144 for five off 38.

Hussey was well set on 46, despite having glanced a delivery onto his helmet, but Southee snuck a delivery past his sweep attempt and New Zealand were on their way.

Earlier it was a familiar story as Ponting made it five correct calls from five coin tosses and New Zealand were in early strife.

After Brendon McCullum departed in the fifth over it was soon 32 for three before the reliable Scott Styris helped add some respectability.

Styris topscored with 55 off 66 balls, adding 53 with Ross Taylor and 68 with Vettori before he chopped a James Hopes delivery onto his stumps.

Taylor (30) and Vettori (28) both perished to loose shots and with wickets falling regularly it was again Tuffey - fresh from clouting four sixes in Auckland - who helped New Zealand post something defendable.

Tuffey hit a valuable 36 off 41 before he departed off the final ball of the innings at 241 for nine. Australia's bowlers, led by Mitchell Johnson's two for 42, assisted New Zealand's cause by donating 19 wides and seven no-balls.

- NZPA