Black Caps give McCullum a winning farewell
New Zealand gave captain Brandon McCullum the perfect send off from 50-over cricket when they beat Australia by 55 runs in the third ODI in Hamilton to take the series two-one.
Chasing a target of 247, Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could not get any momentum into their innings as they folded for 191 in 43.4 overs.
Opening batsman Usman Khawaja (44), allrounder Mitch Marsh (41) and George Bailey (33) were the only batters that played with any real conviction for the visitors but it was not enough.
The Aussies did not get any partnerships going with highest being 59 for the fifth wicket between Marsh and wicketkeeper Mathew Wade (17).
The Black Caps put in a disciplined performance with the ball as fast bowler Matt Henry (three for 60) and Cory Anderson (two for 16) reaped the rewards while legspinner Ish Sodhi (two for 31 from eight overs) always looked dangerous.
Earlier the Kiwis' skipper McCullum, who loss the toss, walked out to open the batting in his 260th and final ODI before calling it a day, and he was his usual belligerent self as he smashed 47 from 27 balls to give his team a great start.
Martin Guptill (59) continued his good form with the willow and Grant Elliott contributed 50 in the middle-order but the hosts were 246 all out in the 46th over.
The 34 year-old McCullum will now get ready to play final two games for his country when the Test series gets under way in Wellington on Friday.
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