It came down to the final over but Australia ensured their captain, Aaron Finch, retired from 50-over cricket with a series sweep over New Zealand as the hosts held on to win the third and final one-day international by 25 runs.
In his 146th and last ODI for his country, Finch’s side set the Black Caps 268 to win at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns after Steve Smith anchored their innings with 105 runs off 131 balls, his 12th ODI century.
New Zealand chased bravely, their openers flying out the gates, their captain, Kane Williamson, steady at the crease and their middle order firing until the death.
But as it had in the first two games, the loss of wickets at inopportune times cost the visitors dearly. Their openers fell within three overs of each other, and when Tom Latham departed for 10 they had lost three for 28.