Ponting's unbeaten 141 came off just 127 balls

Australia wrapped up a 5-0 series whitewash after a comprehensive 122-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth one-day international at McLean Park.

Skipper Ricky Ponting's brilliant 141 not out and 91 off 61 balls by Adam Gilchrist saw them total 347-5.

And New Zealand fell well short in reply, with Craig McMillan's 63 the only highlight in a score of 225-8.

"We've been well and truly thumped in this series by a magnificent one-day team," said NZ captain Stephen Fleming.

He decided to bowl first after winning the toss, but although Lance Hamilton managed to get rid of Simon Katich early, Gilchrist and Ponting soon regained the initiative.

They added 92 for the second wicket with Gilchrist hitting four sixes and nine fours before a catch by Craig Cumming at cover off Tama Canning denied him a century.

Full post-match reaction

Ponting made no mistake, however, as he cruised to three figures off 110 balls and progressed to his second highest score in one-day internationals, beaten only by his 145 against India at Delhi in 1998.

Damien Martyn (40) and Michael Clarke (43) also made useful contributions, with spinner Daniel Vettori, who had figures of 0-37 from his 10 overs, the only bowler with the quality to exercise a measure of control.

McMillan provided the main resistance for New Zealand

New Zealand's cause was not helped by two injury setbacks with Jeff Wilson (ankle) ruled out shortly before the start and Chris Cairns leaving the field without bowling a ball after straining his hamstring.

Faced with such a massive target, the home side were never in the hunt.

Fleming made 35 before he was caught behind off Michael Kasprowicz, who bowled James Marshall with his next delivery.

McMillan prevented the hat-trick and responded to the situation with a six and seven fours in his 69-ball innings, adding 64 for the fifth wicket with Brendon McCullum (36).

Both eventually fell to Andrew Symonds, but Kasprowicz added the wicket of Canning, who was bowled for 16, to finish as Australia's most successful bowler with figures of 3-36.

He also took a catch to dismiss Kyle Mills off Glenn McGrath for 10, but New Zealand at least had the consolation of avoiding being bowled out as Vettori and Hamilton played out the last four balls of the match.

Related story: World Cup seedings plan

The series result means New Zealand slip below Sri Lanka in the one-day rankings and they will be grouped with England, not India, for the 2007 World Cup.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Craig Cumming, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Tama Canning, Daniel Vettori, Lance Hamilton, Kyle Mills.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath.

Umpires: David Shepherd (ENG), Tony Hill (NZL).