Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath celebrate Daniel Vettori's run-out.

Australia's 17-run win over the Black Caps ensured the inaugural Chappell-Hadlee series will be decided in Brisbane on Friday.

"It was a lot closer than I thought it was going to be," admitted Ponting.

Kiwis' skipper Stephen Fleming said: "We didn't start well. We finished the second half well but you have to start better than that if you want to win."

Ponting admired Chris Harris for coming to the crease as last man with a shoulder injury.

"As soon as he came out I ran straight to the middle of the wicket to say to him that I thought it was a very gutsy and very good effort for him to come out and bat, and do the best that he possibly could for his team," said Ponting.

"You could see he was very restricted and was hurting a fair bit, but he showed a lot of guts."

Harris, who used a runner. was yorked for four by Glenn MgGrath, bringing a tremendous late effort from The Black Caps to an end.

Fleming was equally impressed with Harris, playing in his 250th one-day international.

"He saw perhaps the opportunity to win the game so he did what he felt was best," added Fleming. "He was in pain, but still felt he could do a job and as it got closer it became a pretty real option."

Harris' injury has been diagnosed as a torn rotator cuff.

He underwent an MRI scan at a local hospital before returning to the ground in time for his innings.

The left-hander will now return home, where his condition will be further assessed by a specialist in Christchurch.