KEY POINTS:
For the embodiment of all that went disastrously awry for Australia's cricketers during their Chappell-Hadlee Trophy excursion, look no further than a hobbling Matthew Hayden.
The opener, who batted magnificently enroute to an unbeaten 181 off just 166 balls in what looked to be an unreachable 346 for five at Seddon Park last night, encapsulated a luckless five-day campaign for the world champions which promises to linger long in the memories of New Zealand cricket fans.
Not only did Hayden's batting workshop not facilitate a consolation victory in the competition's dead rubber, he also joined a growing list of the world champions' walking wounded less than a month out of what appears to be a shaky World Cup defence.
To add injury to insult Mark Gillespie's toe crushing yorker has put Hayden's fitness in doubt after x-rays confirmed the New Zealand fast bowler had broken the Queenslander's big right toe with a 140km/h thunderbolt.
Hayden was in hospital getting scanned when New Zealand's chase for 347 began, secure in the knowledge he had surely deposited enough runs in the bank after bravely batting with a runner from 102 onwards.
But when he returned to the venue Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum were already well on the way to orchestrating a one-wicket win that completed New Zealand's first 3-0 whitewash over Australia in 33 years of one-day competition.
Hayden, who struck 11 boundaries and 10 sixes in an innings that has set a new benchmark in Australian one-day cricket in terms of runs scored and boundaries cleared, was considered something of a contentious selection for the World Cup. So at least he had a personal milestone and a man-of-the-match award as consolation -- Australia's only tangible success other than Michael Hussey winning yesterday's toss.
However, whether Hayden will fully enjoy the Caribbean experience is dependent on further assessment once he arrives back in Brisbane today.
Sorely missed allrounder Andrew Symonds (biceps) is already condemned to a bit part role while Brett Lee, who sustained ankle ligament damage at the Basin Reserve last week is a 50-50 proposition at best.
"I'm not exactly as happy as a fat spider at the moment," said Hayden, hopeful he was in better shape than his crocked teammates.
"Obviously it's really disappointing. The good news is, if there's such a thing as a good break this is probably about as good as it can get."
He hopes to be fit for Australia's Cup opener against Scotland on March 14, a game they must win to halt a five-match losing streak.
Hayden was typically bullish that Australia could -- and would -- bounce back and retain the Cup for a third time despite the flaws exposed by England and then New Zealand.
"I'm looking forward to the experience. Those five losses will consolidate us and we've got wonderful characters in this side.
"We'll cop our losses with honour on the chin and move forward understanding it's going to put us in a good position at the start of the World Cup, which, let's face it is where we want to be at."
- NZPA
