Cricket: Ponting leads Australia to clean sweep

Australia broke a host of records against New Zealand as captain Ricky Ponting's 141 not out guided them to a 122-run win and a one-day cricket series clean sweep here today.

The tourists posted 347 for five then restricted New Zealand to 225 for eight in the fifth one-day international to inflict the hosts' first 0-5 series loss on home soil.

Australia's total was the highest at McLean Park and within two runs of their record against New Zealand, while Ponting's 127-ball knock was the highest by an Australian against New Zealand.

The home side were a forlorn hope of ever challenging Australia's total, especially with allrounder Chris Cairns unable to bat after straining his hamstring in the fourth over of the match.

Australian speedster Brett Lee made it even tougher when he twice broke the 100-mile an hour barrier in the first over to Craig Cumming, sending down two deliveries clocked at 160kmh and 161kmh. He ended with two for 34 off 10 overs.

Captain Stephen Fleming fended off some Lee thunderbolts early on but on 35 was nicked out by Michael Kasprowicz.

Craig McMillan offered the most resistance with 63 off 69 balls, including seven fours and a six, before being caught on the long on boundary off Andrew Symonds.

Earlier, Ponting lost the toss but relished another flat batting pitch as he cracked 10 fours and five sixes for the highest one-day score on a New Zealand cricket ground -- beating Glenn Turner's 140 against Sri Lanka at Eden Park in 1982-83.

Ponting reached that milestone and passed Greg Chappell's highest score against New Zealand of 138 not out in Sydney in 1980-81 when he hit consecutive sixes off McMillan off the final two balls.

The innings beat Fleming's ground record of 111 not out scored against Australia in 1997-98.

Australia's total was comfortably the highest at McLean Park, beating New Zealand's 277 for six against Pakistan in 1984-85, and was just short of their overall record against New Zealand of 349 for six in Christchurch in 1999-2000.

New Zealand were hit hard by two injury setbacks on match morning, with Jeff Wilson ruled out before play with an ankle injury and Cairns pulling up after chasing a ball to the boundary.

Opener Adam Gilchrist was merciless early on, hammering 91 off 61 balls including nine fours and four sixes.

He looked certain for his 11th one-day century before the recalled Tama Canning enticed a false shot to Cumming at cover.

Gilchrist and Ponting added 92 for the second wicket before Ponting and Damien Martyn added another 75, with Martyn scoring 40.

Daniel Vettori was again the standout New Zealand bowler, taking none for 37 off 10 overs, while Kyle Mills had one for 67, Lance Hamilton one for 76 and Canning one for 80.

Canning's was the most expensive 10-over spell for New Zealand against Australia, beating Jacob Oram's none for 77 in Sydney last year.

Fleming said his team had no answer throughout the series.

"I'm not too sure what to say, we've been well and truly thumped by a magnificent side," Fleming said.

"It's not easy to take 5-0 but we'll cop it on the chin and move on and become a better side for it."

Ponting, who also picked up the man of the match award, said: "We've played some great cricket on this tour. To come here and win 5-0 was what we hoped to do."

The first test starts in Christchurch on Thursday.

- NZPA