ADELAIDE, Dec 7: A Classy century by Mark Waugh helped Australia to a three-wicket win over New Zealand with just two balls to spare in a gripping day-night World Series match today.

Waugh scored 104 from 113 deliveries as Australia overhauled New Zealand's 260 for seven to record their first win in the triangular limited overs tournament after a surprise defeat by South Africa.

Set a run rate of 5.22 per over, Waugh and fellow opener Michael di Venuto put Australia in the driving seat with a stand of 156 from the first 26 overs.

Di Venuto was the main aggressor, belting 77 off 74 balls before he was stumped by Adam Parore off Daniel Vettori.

Waugh assumed the attacking role in di Venuto's absence to reach his 11th One-Day International century. His innings ended when he top-edged a ball from off-spinner Chris Harris to Parore.

Waugh's dismissal sparked a middle-order collapse, Australia losing six wickets for 57, but Michael Bevan (25 not out) kept his cool to steer the home team to victory.

Earlier, Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming both blasted half centuries to lift New Zealand to 260 for seven. Astle smashed 66 off 84 balls while Fleming made 61 off 77 balls.

Astle laid the foundation for New Zealand's big total with an impressive display of big hitting in front of a sell-out crowd at Adelaide Oval. He featured in a 77-run partnership with fellow opener Matt Horne, then put on 69 for the second wicket with Fleming, the New Zealand captain.

Their departure resulted in a temporary slowdown in the run-rate before Craig McMillan and Roger Twose increased the tempo with a late flurry.

McMillan, who was named Man of the Match after hitting 86 in New Zealand's 47 run win over South Africa yesterday, made a quick 43 while Twose belted 26.

ScoreboardNEW ZEALAND: Matt Horne lbw Warne 31, Nathan Astle c Warne b Bichel 66, Stephen Fleming c Harvey b Bichel 61, Craig McMillan c Harvey b Warne 43, Chris Cairns c Gilchist b McGrath 0, Adam Parore b Harvey 9, Roser Twose c Bevan b Warne 26, Chris Harris not out 9, Gavin Larsen not out 0, Extras: (lb 4 nb 2 w 9) 15; Total: (for seven wickets, 50 overs) 260

Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-146, 3-186, 4-190, 5-220, 6-227, 7-259Bowling: McGrath 10-1-53-1 (nb 1 w 1), Dale 6-0-41-0 (nb 1 w 1), Warne 10-0-48-3 (w 1), Harvey 10-0-39-1 (w 2), Waugh 4-0-23-0 (w 2), Bichel 10-1-52-2 (w 2)

AUSTRALIA: Mark Waugh c Parore b Harris 104, Michael di Venuto st Parore b Vettori 77, Adam Gilchrist run out 29, Greg Blewett b Larsen 0, Ian Harvey c Parore b Astle 3, Steve Waugh lbw Larsen 7, Micahel Bevan not out 25, Shane Warne b Larsen 5, Andrew Bichel not out 4, Extras: (lb 5, w 3, nb 1) 9; Total: (for seven wickets, 49.4 overs) 263

Fall of wickets: 1-156, 2-202, 3-209, 4-221, 5-221, 6-249, 7-259

Bowling: O'Connor 4-1-23-0 (w 2), Cairns 8-0-54-0 (nb 2), Harris 10-2-34-1, Astle 6-1-35-1, Larsen 9.4-0-56-3, Vettori 9-0-47-1, McMillan 3-0-9-0

Man of the Match: Mark Waugh

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.