Set a massive 302 to win their third straight match against Australia, the Black Caps looked dead and buried when they slumped to 183 for seven in the 37th over. [break]
But a frenetic 69-run partnership between century-maker Grant Elliott (115) and Brendon McCullum (36), batting with a shoulder injury, threatened to steal the match.
Elliott´s dismissal in the 45th over ended the New Zealand fightback, allowing a relieved Australia to claim a desperately-needed victory after five successive defeats. Brad Haddin topscored for hosts with 109 runs.
The Kiwis, bowled out for 269 in the 48th over, lead the series 2-1 heading into game four in Adelaide on Tuesday.
But the visitors are unlikely to have the services of keeper-batsman McCullum, who was struck by a rearing delivery from Kyle Mills while standing up to the stumps during the Australian innings.
He played on in obvious pain and will undergo scans Monday.
Back-up wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins will fly over from New Zealand to join the squad ahead of Tuesday´s game.
India´s winning streak ends
Sri Lanka ended India´s nine-match winning run with a 68-run consolation success in Sunday´s one-day international in Colombo, sportinglife.com reported.
Nuwan Kulasekara picked up the wickets of Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina as India struggled in pursuit of 321 in the fifth and final ODI of a series they have nonetheless won 4-1. The visitors were all out for 252 in 48.5 overs.
Muttiah Muralitharan saw off Yuvraj Singh (73) and got Yusuf Pathan cheaply - and although Mahendra Singh Dhoni (53) and Ravindra Jadeja (60no) kept India in the hunt with a 55-run seventh-wicket stand, the hosts prevailed.
Ajantha Mendis also picked up two late wickets, and Farveez Maharoof bowled last man Ishant Sharma for his second too as India were bowled out for 252 in the 49th over.
India were ragged in the field - after Mahela Jayawardene chose to bat first - and Tillakaratne Dilshan (97) and Kumar Sangakkara (84) set Sri Lanka up for a big score.
India, chasing for the first time in the series, soon lost Virender Sehwag and Raina.
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