Australia stay alive

Brad Haddin hit his maiden century as Australia ended a five-match losing streak with a 32-run win in the third one-day international against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Promoted to open the batting, Haddin made 109 off 114 balls before being run out as the home side totalled 301-9.

They then reduced New Zealand to 183-7 but all-rounder Grant Elliott kept them in the hunt with a superb 115.

He was caught in the 45th over and the Kiwis were eventually all out for 269, but still lead the series 2-1.

Haddin was named man-of-the-match and, reflecting on his innings, he said: "It was a good one, especially with the occasion. We spoke a lot about being the guy to make a difference today and I enjoyed it at the top of the order."

His elevation to the top of the order for the first time since September 2004 was prompted by Australia's decision to cut short skipper Ricky Ponting's two-match break following a six-wicket defeat in Melbourne.

It proved a shrewd move as Haddin and Michael Clarke set them on their way with an opening stand of 135 before Clarke, on 64, drove a ball from Elliott to extra-cover.

Elliott also picked up the wicket of Ponting for 16, caught at deep square leg, but Haddin hit three sixes as he progressed to his century -- although he needed a slice of luck on 75 when Peter Fulton dropped him at long-on.

He was finally run out by fellow wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum as he attempted a quick single, but Mike Hussey (51) and Callum Ferguson (28) added 62 in seven overs for the sixth wicket to keep the score ticking over.

Hussey's half century took only 30 balls and Australia were only three runs short of 300 when he was caught off Kyle Mills at deep mid-wicket.

Iain O'Brien was the most successful bowler with three wickets, but they cost him 68 runs and chasing down such a big total looked a tall order for New Zealand, especially as McCullum was nursing a sore shoulder after being struck by a delivery from Mills.

Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor departed with only 16 on the board and although Elliott and Fulton (40) shared an 80-run partnership before Fulton fell to James Hopes, a collapse followed which reduced from 149-3 to 183-7.

Tim Southee made 17, but it was McCullum, who finally came in at number nine, who finally helped Elliott put the pressure back on Australia.

McCullum hammered Hopes over the offside field for six and also collected two boundaries off the normally reliable Nathan Bracken.

Elliott, meanwhile, responded to being dropped by a diving Adam Voges on 79 with three fours in one over from Bracken, and went to his hundred with a steer to third man for two.

He celebrated by driving Hopes through the covers for his eight four, but the bowler got his revenge four overs later when Hussey took a straightforward catch at backward square leg.

With Elliott gone, it was up to McCullum to try and clinch the series for New Zealand but he was caught by Ponting off Ben Hilfenhaus and although tail-ender Jeetan Patel lofted a six, he was bowled by Bracken half-way through the 48th over as Australia wrapped up the match.