A Ross Taylor century led the BLACKCAPS in a thrilling run chase to claim the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a five-wicket win at Eden Park.
Taylor’s match-leading knock of 117 from 126 deliveries paved the way for the hosts to take an unassailable lead in the series.
Taylor put on a pivotal 115-run, fourth-wicket stand with Peter Fulton, before Michael Hussey, whose own 105 was ended by a fine Taylor catch, caught him off Watson.
Fulton made 76, while he put on 85 in 46 balls with State Canterbury Wizards team-mate Craig McMillan, who ran up 52 from 29 deliveries.
Brendon McCullum took over from as the BLACKCAPS posted a new record score on home soil, chasing down Australia’s 336 for four.
Hussey bossed a third-wicket stand of 130 with Brad Hodge, although the Victorian went on to make 97 not out, only two weeks after falling one run short of a hundred against the BLACKCAPS at Melbourne.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Brad Haddin also fell short of a landmark with 49.
The early wicket of Phil Jaques by Shane Bond raised Kiwi hopes. Bond bowled a parsimonious opening spell of one for seven from six, ending the innings with one for 39 off nine.
Matthew Hayden looked dangerous, but was removed by Mark Gillespie, caught by Daniel Vettori, for 24.
Vettori removed the wicketkeeper caught and bowled, but the captain and Hodge were harder to remove.
Hussey finally succumbed after a 99-run partnership, for 105, Taylor producing an excellent running catch to dismiss the Western Australian.
But Hodge and Cameron White (42 not out) cranked up the pace, making 84 from just 45 balls for his team’s third-highest score in New Zealand.
The reply began briskly, but the early loss of the skipper, for six caught behind by off Nathan Bracken, was an early set back.
Lou Vincent maintained the pace with a run-a-ball 26, but became Bracken’s second victim, caught by Jaques at mid-off.
Scott Styris played second fiddle to Taylor in their third-wicket partnership of 66, caught by Hussey off Watson after striking two fours in his 17.
The State Central Stags tyro brought up his 100 in 102 balls, his delight apparent.
He made 17 more runs before losing his wicket, but his eventual tally was the second-highest by a BLACKCAP against Australia – only beaten by Chris Harris’ 130 in Chennai 12 seasons ago.
McMillan and Fulton upped the rate, putting victory in sight before McCullum came to the crease to wrap up a record victory, launching into the attack with 19 off 10 to decide the match and the series.
With the series decided, the teams move on to Hamilton for the third and final contest, with the BLACKCAPS aiming to add a clean sweep to a well-earned Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
