Australia retained the Chappell-Hadlee trophy after rain ensured that the fifth and final one-day international at the Gabba finished with no result.

Trailing the five-match series 2-0 after the opening two fixtures, Ricky Ponting's men fought back superbly to restore parity and with no result possible in Brisbane the series ended all square at 2-2.

After being set 156 for victory off 20 overs, New Zealand were well on course for victory at 123-6 with opener Martin Guptill well set on 64 not out and debutant Brendon Diamanti unbeaten on 26.

However, with six overs reaming and the Black Caps needing just 33 more runs for victory, a torrential shower halted the tourists charge and ended the match as a result.

The series therefore finished at 2-2, meaning Australia retaining the Chappell-Hadlee series following their 2-0 win in 2007.

Play was delayed by almost five hours due to rain in Queensland, and the day-night encounter was revised into a 22-over a-side contest.

Australia were indebted to makeshift opener Haddin who continued his fine form with an unbeaten 88 off 65 deliveries to guide the hosts to 168-4.

Haddin appeared in total control throughout his innings, striking five boundaries and three sixes, but it was perhaps his patience under pressure in the middle of the innings that was most impressive.

He didn't do it all on his own, however, with Ferguson continuing his dream start to his international career with a brilliant 55 not out off 35 balls in just his fourth ODI.

Having joined Haddin at the crease at 70-4, the pair put together an unbeaten 98-run stand to steal the upper hand at the midway point.

James Hopes (5) got the Australian innings going with a boundary in the second over but his aggression soon cost him his wicket when he skied a wild pull-shot to Daniel Vettori who made no mistake.

Kyle Mills (2-22) kept the pressure on the home side when he removed Australia captain Ricky Ponting (2) caught behind with a well directed out-swinger.

David Hussey, who made a match-winning 79 in the previous match, found the going much tougher this time around and was bowled by Iain O'Brien for six.

Haddin continued to plunder the Black Caps attack, however Vettori (1-24) halted Australia's momentum when Mike Hussey hit a long-hop straight to Diamanti at mid-wicket to depart for nine.

Haddin momentarily went into his shell before bringing up his half-century with a single as he and Ferguson looked to set the launching pad.

The pair finished the innings with a flourish as Ferguson brought up his maiden ODI half-century to a standing ovation at the GABBA.

The 24-year-old blasted seven fours in his 35-ball knock of 55 before Haddin pummelled O'Brien for 14 in the final over to finish the innings in style.

New Zealand, chasing a revised total of 156 from 20 overs, suffered an early setback when explosive opener Brendon McCullum was clean bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus with just the second ball of the innings.

Peter Fulton and Guptill then took the attack to Australia, the former blasting two huge sixes before he was dismissed by Nathan Bracken for 22.

Guptill was then forced to watch on with anguish at the other end as Ross Taylor (4), Grant Elliott (0), Neil Broom (0) and Kyle Mills (1) all departed.

Reeling on 73-6, Diamanti and Guptill then launched an inspired counter attack to bring New Zealand close to what had earlier seemed an improbable victory.

Guptill passed his second ODI half-century and continued his assault with a flurry of destructive pull shots to put the GABBA crowd on the edge of their seats.

However, with just 33 further runs required from 42 deliveries heavy rain forced umpires Steve Bucknor and Rod Tucker to abandon proceedings.