NEW ZEALAND v AUSTRALIA

At Auckland, February 26. Australia won by six wickets. Toss: New Zealand.

The home team's centenary celebrations came unstuck in a one-sided final, which Australia won with nearly 19 overs to spare. Stifled by the Australian bowling, which rendered Greatbatch impotent for half an hour, New Zealand totalled a feeble 137 on a tricky pitch. Rutherford, striving mightily by this stage of the ill-fated season, had virtually no support for his 46, with extras easily the next-biggest contributor on 28. Reiffel removed both openers and conceded just 1.4 an over; May and Warne cost barely two an over and shared five wickets. A week after they had added 147 against New Zealand, Taylor and Mark Waugh put on another 78, effectively settling the issue.

Man of the Match: T. B. A. May.