Perth, January 28:

Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting made centuries and shared a 200-run second-wicket partnership as Australia scraped in an eight-run win over New Zealand in a tri-series limited-overs cricket match on Sunday. Hayden made 117 from 111 balls and Ponting 111 from 122 as Australia reached 343/5 — the highest score by any team in a limited-overs match at the WACA Ground.

Jacob Oram smashed 101 not out, putting on 137 in an unbroken partnership with Brendon McCullum (46 not out), as New Zealand reached 335-5 in reply. Oram’s century from 71 balls contained four fours and six sixes and was the fastest by a New Zealander in limited-overs internationals. It was also his first one-day international century and eclipsed his 86 at Adelaide last week as his highest limited-overs score. Recalled opener Lou Vincent gave New Zealand’s innings a solid foundation with a score of 66, including eight fours and a six. He had New Zealand on target for an unlikely win when he was adjudged lbw to Michael Clarke.

Stephen Fleming (28), Peter Fulton (24) and Ross Taylor (39) assisted the run chase before Oram and McCullum carried New Zealand to the brink of victory. Australia put down several catch chances, but its excellent ground fielding helped it to its sixth straight win of the tri-series tournament which also includes England.

Hayden and Ponting’s 200-run stand for Australia’s second wicket had already made New Zealand’s task almost impossible. Hayden recovered form and cemented his place in Australia’s World Cup squad with a century from 104 balls — his sixth hundred in 127 ODIs. Ponting batted in Hayden’s shadow early in his innings but reached his half century from 62 balls and his century from 113 deliveries. The century was his 21st in 266 one-day internationals, his third against New Zealand and his first at the WACA.

Hayden and Ponting came together when Australia was 28-1, after the dismissal of Adam Gilchrist (13). They reached their 100 partnership from 113 balls and their 200 partnership from 203. Later Michael Hussey smashed 29 from 16 balls with three sixes and Cameron White 24 from 12 balls with a four and a six in a late, unbroken stand of 50 for the sixth wicket. That partnership was eventually the difference between the teams.

New Zealand fielded poorly, dropping several catches including chances off Hayden when he was 0, 4 and 72. Oram suffered most at the hands of the Australian batsman, conceding 50 runs from five overs but had his revenge later with the bat.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA

A Gilchrist c Patel b Mills 13

M Hayden b Vettori 117

R Ponting c Fulton b McMillan 111

M Clarke c Marshall b Gillespie 7

A Symonds b Gillespie 24

M Hussey not out 29

C White not out 20

Extras: 22 (lb2 w18 nb2)

Total: 343/5 (50 overs)

FoW: 1-28, 2-228, 3-254, 4-275, 5-292

New Zealand bowling: Mills 10-1-72-1, Gillespie 10-1-76-1, Oram 5-0-50-0, Vettori 10-0-34-1, Patel 10-0-67-1, McMillan 3-0-26-1, Taylor 2-0-16-0

NEW ZEALAND

L Vincent lbw b Clarke 66

S Fleming c Gilchrist b McGrath 28

P Fulton c Hayden b Johnson 23

R Taylor b Clarke 39

C McMillan run out 5

J Oram not out 101

B McCullum not out 46

Extras: 27 (2b 5lb 18w 2nb)

Total: 335/5 (50 overs)

FoW: 1-47, 2-107, 3-142, 4-150, 5-198

Australia bowling: Lee 10-0-53-0, Bracken 10-1-75-0, McGrath 10-0-72-1, Johnson 6-0-48-1, Clarke 9-0-48-2, Symonds 5-0-32-0