WELLINGTON: Ross Taylor made 117 to lead a record run chase as New Zealand beat Australia by five wickets in the second Chappell-Hadlee limited-overs cricket match on Sunday to clinch the three-match series 2-0.

After inflicting Australia's heaviest-ever one-day loss, by 10 wickets, in Wellington on Friday, the home side chased down Australia's total of 336 to win with eight balls to spare, achieving the highest successful run chase on New Zealand soil.

South Africa on top

The loss dislodged the defending World Cup champion Australia from the No. 1 spot in world limited-overs cricket, handing the top ranking to South Africa five weeks out from the World Cup in the Caribbean. It marks the first time since October 2002 that Australia has not held the top ranking.

Australia's position seemed impregnable after Mike Hussey smashed his second ODI century to lead Australia to its big total, batting first after New Zealand won the toss.

But Taylor's 117 from 126 balls, and half centuries from Peter Fulton and Craig McMillan, carried New Zealand to a remarkable victory.

Taylor came to the wicket when New Zealand was 9 for one in the third over and exited when it was 228 for four, needing 119 runs to win with almost 12 overs remaining.

Standing firm

Fulton, who was called into the Kiwi team as a late replacement for the injured Jacob Oram, carried his bat through the remainder of the innings to make 76 not out from 65 balls.

After putting on 115 for the fourth wicket with Taylor, Fulton added 85 with McMillan at almost two runs per ball to ensure New Zealand's victory. McMillan blasted 52 runs from 30 balls in the innings that finally changed the course of the match.

Without paceman Brett Lee, who returned home with an ankle injury, Australia's bowling lacked penetration and its fielding lost its usual edge as it came under increasing pressure.

It has now been beaten in the three biggest run chases in the history of limited-overs cricket during the last 12 months.

"We're not panicking," captain Michael Hussey said. "We're still confident, we're still positive, we're still believing in ourselves."

Hussey, who top-scored with 42 at Wellington, again took the leading role in the innings, reaching his second one-day century from 81 balls before his dismissal for 105 (8 x4, 6 x 6). He rushed from 85 to 103 with three successive sixes off stopgap bowler Lou Vincent.

Hussey shared a 130-run fourth-wicket partnership with Brad Hodge, which included a century stand from only 85 balls.

Hodge went on to make 97, ensuring the assault on the New Zealand bowlers continued throughout Australia's 50 overs. The third match in the series will be played Tuesday in Hamilton. — AP

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