Hayden finds form to lead demolition of New Zealand

Australia 314-6, New Zealand 208 Australia win by 106 runs

Australia 314-6, New Zealand 208 Australia win by 106 runs

Matthew Hayden hit a century as Australia steamrollered New Zealand by 106 runs in the second one-day international here yesterday to take a 2-0 lead in their five-match series.

Hayden ended his prolonged slump in form as the world champions racked up a formidable 314 for 6 after being given first use of a perfect batting strip. Adam Gilchrist failed with the bat but took five catches to become the first wicketkeeper to reach 300 one-day international catches as New Zealand collapsed to 208 all out in the 41st over.

The only resistance came from Daniel Vettori who made 83 from 77 balls to equal South African Lance Klusener's record for the highest score made by a No 8 in the history of the one-day game.

"I'm rapt with the way we played," the Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, said. "All the batsmen stood up and the new-ball bowling was outstanding."

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, said his team only had themselves to blame. "It was pretty comprehensive," he said. "We didn't bowl as well as we could have on that wicket. We were hoping to keep them to 250 but they fed off our mistakes in the field."

Hayden, dropped from the team earlier this month, was brutal in hitting 114 off 124 balls, including 12 boundaries and two sixes. He shared a 99-run partnership with Ponting for the second wicket after Gilchrist went for a second-ball duck and a 133-run stand with Damien Martyn for the third. Ponting struck 53 while Martyn made 58. Both were run out but the lower-order continued to punish the Kiwi bowlers with Michael Clarke hitting 23 off 13 balls and Mike Hussey driving the final ball of the innings for six to finish on 32 not out.

With the exception of the left-arm spinner Vettori, who conceded 31 runs from 10 overs in a fine all-round performance, the New Zealand attack failed to make any impression on the world champions.

The worst offender was the former All Black Jeff Wilson, playing his first one-day international in 12 years, who went for 57 off six overs although he took two catches and scored 22.

New Zealand's chances looked slim after they lost Fleming in the first over and then crashed to 73 for 6 by the 16th, with Gilchrist claiming the first five catches. Seven New Zealand batsmen made double figures but Vettori was the only player to go on. He reached his first one-day international half-century off 49 balls before being caught in the deep.

The third match will be played at Auckland on Saturday, with the final two games at Wellington and Napier next week.