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Auckland: Mitchell Johnson might have been the bad boy of Napier in the first of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy matches but he put that behind him to guide Australia to a 12-run (D/L) win over New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.
Johnson's effort in taking 4-51 ensured that Australia, still not playing as well as it wished, blunted New Zealand's momentum and levelled the series with three to play.
Skipper Daniel Vettori was the last man dismissed for 70 in a typically big-hearted response. He scored only his fourth ODI half-century, the milestone coming off 34 balls as New Zealand ensured Australia was forced to battle all the way.
Australia posted 273 for 7 after choosing to bat first and while New Zealand might have been satisfied with a target of 274, it failed to make any impact at the start of its innings, slumping to 46 for 4 in the 11th over.
After a brief shower early in its innings, New Zealand's target was reduced to 266 off 45 overs.
It missed its most reliable middle-order batsman Ross Taylor who suffered a hamstring strain in the opening match of the series in Napier and was unable to play in Auckland. Coupled with the absence of Jacob Oram the New Zealanders were left vulnerable and Australia, led by Johnson and Ryan Harris, made the most of it.
Harris had the final say by bowling Vettori to seal the win and he ended with 3-34 from 8.2 overs.
Johnson was a natural target for crowd attention but produced a fine bowling performance while Harris was all hustle and bustle to maintain pressure. Shane Watson had a mixed day, coming in for some attention from Vettori and Hopkins to end with 2-32 from his five overs. And Doug Bollinger went for 63 runs from his eight overs.
New Zealand made a bold start with Brendon McCullum lashing out at Harris and Bollinger to race to 24 from 15 balls. But the advent of Johnson resulted in McCullum edging behind to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, but his was the only aggression New Zealand was able to unleash.
Martin Guptill again struggled to come to grips with the bowling and hit only 18 before he fell, caught behind from Watson's bowling.
Scott Styris made it to 46 from 58 balls but then offered a soft shot to off-spinner Nathan Hauritz to be caught at mid-on by Ricky Ponting.
Gareth Hopkins hit 35 from 39 but at 7-176 it seemed all over for New Zealand.
Earlier, the hosts exposed Australia's inability to manage one dominating batting performer.
Despite 56 to Michael Hussey, 54 to Cameron White, 53 to Haddin and 47 to Watson, the one big score the side had talked about wanting as a foundation was missing, as the New Zealanders achieved double breakthroughs among the top order.
It did appear that White and Hussey had come up trumps with a vital fifth-wicket partnership. But after posting 101 runs, accumulated superbly between the 24th and 40thovers, White launched an assault on Franklin.
He clubbed two big sixes to cow corner from successive balls to post his half-century off 59 balls.
But then attempting a straighter hit off the 60th ball, his steepling shot was held by McCullum, playing as a fielder.
Vettori and his fast-bowling ace in the pack Shane Bond had made a double breakthrough to claim the wickets of Haddin (53 from 62 balls) and an out-of-sorts Michael Clarke who took 26 balls to score his 11 to leave Australia in trouble at 4-116.
Vettori's effort in bowling his 10 overs for 2-43 was impressive as he was not expected to play due to the chronic neck injury which prevented him playing in the first game in Napier.
Daniel Vettori is the Man of the Match for his knock of 70 and his 2 wickets
Brief scores
Australia: 273 for 7 (Hussey 56, White 54, Haddin 53)
New Zealand: 253 (Vettori 70, Johnson 4-51)
Result: Australia won by 12 runs (D/L method)
MOM: Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)
