Melbourne: Australia opener David Warner continued his hot form, scoring 156 on Friday to dominate the hosts' innings of 264-8 batting first in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand.
Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Australia batted first for the third straight game, but failed to dominate the New Zealand bowlers in the manner of the opening two games.
Warner was the exception, hitting his second straight century after 119 in Australia's 116-run victory Tuesday in Canberra. He helped Australia out of early trouble at 73-4, and was run out on the final ball of the innings after facing 128 balls.
In 23 ODI innings this year, Warner has scored 1,388 runs at an average of 63.09, with seven centuries.
Warner was dropped on 18, when Henry Nicholls could only get his fingertips on the ball after lunging for a diving catch at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson.
Opener Aaron Finch fell for three, and New Zealand's leg-side trap claimed Smith without scoring.
New Zealand made two changes for the match. James Neesham missed out after being struck on the arm in Canberra and was replaced by Nicholls, while Ferguson replaced Matt Henry. Australia was unchanged.