Hobart, December 20:

Skipper Ricky Ponting and his bowlers tormented New Zealand as Australia reclaimed the Chappell Hadlee Trophy one-day series in emphatic fashion.

The Australians clobbered the Black Caps for 282-6 and then reduced them to 168 all out off just 34 overs to seal a 114-run win and a 2-0 series victory. Ponting’s unbeaten 134 off 133 balls justifiably made him man of the series.

Andrew Symonds smashed 52 off 63 balls with four fours and opener Matthew Hayden contributed 29 off 32 balls.

After Brett Lee removed both openers, Brendon McCullum (6) and Jamie How (2), inside the first five overs, New Zealand were always up against it and slumped to 88-7 before some late lusty hitting by Scott Styris (75) delayed the inevitable. Lee claimed 3-47 and Brad Hogg 3-49.

Sri Lanka on top

Galle: England’s chances of saving the Sri Lanka Test series looked over when they were shot out for just 81, their lowest total against the hosts, in the third and final match.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene hit unbeaten 213 and Chaminda Vaas ripped through the top order to leave England, trailing 0-1 in the series, in tatters on the rain-hit third day at Galle International Stadium. Vaas followed his 90 in Sri Lanka’s 499-8 declared with four wickets as England collapsed in just 30.5 overs and were forced to follow-on 418 runs behind. England were 2-0 in their second knock before bad light halted play.

England’s pathetic 81 fell below their previous low of 148 against Sri Lanka in Colombo on the previous tour in 2003. Paul Collingwood’s 29 was the top score as eight batsmen failed to reach double figures.