Aussies sent packing again

Chris Cairns runs out Damien Martyn

VB Series, Sydney: Australia 212 all out (47.2 overs) lost to New Zealand (236) by 25 runs

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Australia lost their third straight match in the VB Series after their batting once again showed up unexpected frailties.

After two defeats at the MCG, the Aussies again wilted under the lights, this time in Sydney, as New Zealand's all-round resourcefulness and hunger proved too much too bear.

Chris Harris starred with bat and ball. He hit 42 not out off 43 balls as the Kiwis totalled 235-9 batting first, pouched a brilliant catch to remove Steve Waugh and took 3-37 from 8.2 overs.

Australia had been coasting at 98-2 in the 22nd over with Adam Gilchrist's replacement Ryan Campbell leading the run chase.

Ian Harvey appeals for the wicket of Vincent

Campbell, who came in when regular wicketkeeper Gilchrist requested time off to spend with his young family, lost Mark Waugh, run out by Lou Vincent for a duck in the second over, and Ricky Ponting five overs later.

Ponting was caught behind off Shane Bond, who finished with 2-28 off his eight overs.

Campbell and Bevan then put on 69 in good time, and Australia looked odds on to wrap up their first win in this competition.

But then the wickets started falling.

Campbell pulled Daniel Vettori to Harris at mid-wicket to fall for 38, then Steve Waugh, having moved to nine, hit a rank long hop off Bond for what seemed like a certain four. But Harris was there at backward point to take a brilliant catch.

A good stand followed, and again Australia looked in control.

But the really crucial wicket came just when New Zealand needed it as Bevan tamely nicked Cairns straight to Scott Styris at second slip to be out for 66.

It was time for the collapse to happen. Damien Martyn was run out, Ian Harvey chipped Harris to extra cover and Brett Lee was lbw to James Franklin for just one.

Holed out

The run rate started mounting, and there was nothing the tailenders could do - as Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath holed out in the deep to give New Zealand their second victory in the series against the Aussies.

Cairns, skippering the Kiwis in the absence of Stephen Fleming, won the toss and elected to bat. Fleming had been hit on the arm during the warm-up and pulled out of the game.

It was heavy going for the tourists early on - Mark Richardson taking 71 balls to hit 26 after Brendon McCullum was run out for five.

In the 21st over, Richardson lost Vincent - caught by Ponting off Ian Harvey for 24 with the score 54, and the opener himself departed not long afterwards when he was stumped off Shane Warne.

Cairns and Craig McMillan injected some much-needed acceleration, putting on 61 at around a run a ball for the fourth wicket.

But both were out in the 30s and the Kiwis had to rebuild again. Thankfully for the tourists, Harris came in and rose to the challenge.

For Australia, Warne was expensive but took two wickets, and Harvey was more economic and also had two victims.

McGrath - with 10 overs for 22 - was a model of accuracy.

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Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Mark Waugh, Ryan Campbell, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Ian Harvey, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds (12th man).

New Zealand: Chris Cairns (captain), Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Mark Richardson, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Scott Styris, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Andre Adams (12th man).