It was another frustrating loss for the injury-struck tourists, their fourth in succession, and also means they lose the No.1 ranking on the ICC one-day rankings for the first time since 2002.

On the other hand, the result is a huge boost for New Zealand, which successfully chased down the highest total in its history without hard-hitter Jacob Oram.

Australia amassed 4-336 in perfect conditions after being asked to bat first - a record total for Eden Park and for one-day internationals in New Zealand, after NZ successfully chased 332 at Christchurch in December 2005 in an earlier Chappell-Hadlee match.

Australia's innings was dominated by Michael Hussey, who scored 105 for 84 balls, and Brad Hodge, who was left stranded on 97 off 86 balls, the second time he has remained unbeaten in the 90s against New Zealand this season.

Cameron White hit 42 off only 19 balls.

It wasn't a happy day for bowlers on either team. Daryl Tuffey had 0-80 off his 10 overs while Bracken had 2-66 from his 10 overs and Shaun Tait went for 64 off nine.

Australia innings
Hayden c Vettori b Gillespie 24 (36)
Jaques c Fleming b Bond 3 (16)
Haddin not out 49 (60)
Hussey c Taylor b McMillan 105 (84
Hodge not out 97 (86)
White not out 42 (19)
Extras 16 (1b, 5lb, 8w, 2 nb)
Total 336 (for 4 wkts, 50 overs)

FoW: 1-26, 2-52, 3-122, 4-252

Bowling
Tuffey 10-0-80-0 (5w)
Bond 9-4-39-1 (1w)
Gillespie 10-2-57-1
Vettori 10-0-54-1
Styris 4-0-35-0
McMillan 5-0-45-1 (1nb)
Vincent 2-0-22-0

New Zealand innings
Vincent c Jaques b Bracken 26 (27)
Fleming c Haddin b Bracken 6 (7)
Taylor c Hussey b Watson 117 (127)
Styris c Hussey b Watson 17 (25)
Fulton not out 76 (65)
McMillan cHussey b Watson 52 (29)
McCullum not out 19 (12)
Extras 17 (1b, 10lb, 6w)
Total 337 (for 5 wkts; 50 overs)

FoW: 1-9, 2-47, 3-113, 4-228, 5-313

Bowling
Bracken 10-1-66-2
McGrath 9.4-0-50-0
Tait 9-0-64-0 (2w)
Watson 10-0-58-3 (1nb, 1w)
Hogg 7-0-58-0 (2w)
White 3-0-29-0 (1nb, 2w)

Sportal