AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting may not have been thrilled by his side’s performance but he was more than happy to take the win against New Zealand to level the Chappell-Hadlee series at one game apiece. Australia made 273 for seven in their 50 overs and battled hard for a 12-run Duckworth/Lewis method victory at Eden Park in Auckland after the Black Caps’ target was revised to 266 from 45 overs following a brief interval for rain.

That target seemed within reach with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori – playing despite a neck problem – in belligerent form at the crease. He was last man out for 70 when Ryan Harris (three for 34) struck at the death to seal the win.

“It wasn’t a great performance by any stretch of the imagination but we did enough to win which is pleasing,” Ponting said.

“When you are a little bit below your best and you still find a way to win that’s always satisfying. I think New Zealand are playing pretty well at the moment as well so you’ve got to give them some credit.”

Ponting felt Mitchell Johnson, who was fined 60% of his match fee for a heated altercation with Scott Styris in the Napier game, was the main difference between the two sides.

Booed and jeered by the Eden Park crowd, the left-arm quick responded by taking four for 51 off nine overs, including the key wicket of Brendon McCullum in the fifth over.

“It looks like it spurred him on if anything. To come out and bowl the way he did was really good,” said the Australia skipper.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to try and have a bit of fun with the crowd as much as they are giving it to you.

“There were a few chants going round the ground at different times and he ended up coming back with some wickets for us so that was a good result for him and the team.” (Eurosport)