Members of the New Zealand team celebrate beating Australia in the third match of the Chappell-Hadlee series at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday. - Reuters

WELLINGTON (Reuters):

NEW ZEALAND completed a 3-0 whitewash of their one-day series with Australia after a thrilling one-wicket win in Hamilton yesterday.

Australia had looked in command after posting a massive 346 for five, but the Kiwis stunned the world champions with the second-highest run-chase in one-day history to win with just three balls to spare.

Pretty difficult "It's pretty difficult and I feel pretty demoralised really ... I'll probably take a little while to get over it," Australia's stand-in captain Mike Hussey said.

"It shows we've got a little bit more to do before we get to the World Cup."

Craig McMillan rescued New Zealand from a seemingly-hopeless position at 41-4 with the fastest one-day hundred by a Kiwi, before wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum guided his team home with an unbeaten 86.

New Zealand's win came two days after they successfully chased down Australia's 336-4 in Auckland to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the Chappell-Hadlee series.

"It's been an amazing week for us," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said.

"For cricket in this country and belief in our side for the World Cup, these games have done an amazing thing."

New Zealand's turnaround came after an equally-incredible display by Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who was named Man of the Match despite being on the losing side.

The left-hander batted through the entire Australian innings to finish with an unbeaten 181 - the highest score by an Australian in a one-day match - despite breaking the big toe of his right foot.

Hayden, who also holds the Australian record for the highest Test score (380), broke Mark Waugh's previous Australian record of 173 set against the West Indies in Melbourne six years ago.

The Queenslander smashed 10 sixes and 11 fours in his 166-ball knock despite being in agony and needing the aid of a runner after Mark Gillespie struck him with a yorker when he was on 102.

Hayden was taken to hospital at the change of innings where X-rays confirmed the break. He did not field during the New Zealand reply.

"It's been a pretty frustrating day," Hayden said. "I must admit when I got hit on the toe I knew it was broken ... I couldn't put any weight on it at all."