Australia have lost their place at the top of the world ODI rankings after New
Zealand batted superbly to register a thrilling five-wicket victory over their
rivals in Auckland on Sunday. 
The home side successfully chased down Australia`s record
Eden Park total of 336 for four with eight balls to spare to win the Chappell
Hadlee Trophy for the first time and condemn the Australians to a fourth
straight defeat in nine days.
"It was an amazing day, great for the game and
great for us to get across the line in a big scoring match," New Zealand
captain Stephen Fleming told a news conference.
"We`ve fallen short numerous times against Australia. It was great to
feel the excitement in the stands."
South Africa, who beat Pakistan 3-1 in a recent
home series, become the first team to replace Australia at the top of
the ICC rankings since they were introduced in October 2002.
The Australians looked to have recovered from their
humiliating 10-wicket loss in Wellington on Friday after posting a massive total
with stand-in captain Mike Hussey blasting 105 and Brad Hodge 97 not out.
However, New Zealand reached their victory target in
the 49th over after man of the match Ross Taylor replied with 117 from 127 balls
and Peter Fulton made a composed 76 not out off only 65 deliveries.
The Australians have been under fire for their inexplicable
form slump since reaching and losing the tri-series final at home to England,
but Hussey said they were still on track for the World Cup.
"It`s not ideal but I can say the spirit is OK.
We can`t afford to panic and start making wholesale changes," Hussey said.
"We have to trust our personnel, trust our own games and trust each other.
I know if we keep working hard we`ll be fine.
I know big totals being chased down is an area of concern and we`re going to
have to get better at it, but I still think we`ve got the right people in the
team and in the squad."
Taylor hit 16 fours and one six to lay the platform
for his team`s stunning win after Fleming (6), Lou Vincent (26) and Scott
Styris (17) all went cheaply.
Taylor shared a 115-run partnership with Fulton for the fourth wicket but was
dismissed in the 39th over with 109 still needed.
Craig McMillan increased the run-rate with a
blazing 52 off just 30 balls before Fulton and Brendon McCullum finished off
the run-chase, with the pair slamming 11 runs off the penultimate over from
Glenn McGrath to seal the win.
The Australians, missing five of their frontline players
including skipper Ricky Ponting and deputy Adam Gilchrist, looked to have done
enough to win the match after setting a record total for a ODI at the compact
venue.
Hussey smashed eight fours and six sixes, while Hodge
slammed 10 boundaries and two sixes to narrowly miss out on his first hundred
just two weeks after he was left stranded on 99 against the Kiwis in Melbourne.
The left-handed Hussey whacked three sixes in one over
off Vincent to reach his second one-day century while Hodge missed his last
chance when he hit his final ball for a single when he needed a boundary.
"On a ground like this you`re going to need every run you`ve got,"
Hussey said. “I actually don`t think we did too badly with the ball and
in the field. A few things didn`t go our way, we had a few very close shaves
and on another day they might go our way."
The third and final match of the series will be played
at Hamilton on Tuesday.
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