Ponting, Hayden secure a place in Triseries final ..

Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting made centuries in a 200-run second-wicket partnership Sunday to steer Australia to 343 for five in a tri-series limited-overs match against New Zealand on Sunday.

Hayden made 117 from 111 balls in an innings which likely secured his place in Australia's squad for this year's World Cup. Ponting made 111, ensuring Australia reached the highest score by any team in a limited-overs match at the WACA Ground.

Hayden's 50 came from 67 balls and his century from 104, his second 50 from 37 balls amid a barrage of boundaries, as he posted his sixth hundred in 127 limited overs internationals.

Ponting batted in Hayden's shadow early in his innings but still reached his half century from 62 balls then accelerated to reach his century from 113 deliveries.

The century was his 21st in 266 One-Day Internationals, his third against New Zealand and his first at the WACA.

Hayden and Ponting came together when Australia, batting after winning the toss, were 28 for one following the dismissal of Adam Gilchrist for 13. They reached their 100-run partnership from 113 balls and their 200 partnership from 203 as they kept up a run rate of almost a run per ball.

New Zealand used seven bowlers in a desperate attempt to stem Australia's scoring, but only Daniel Vettori, who took one for 34 from 10 overs, managed to contain the Australians.

Wayward bowling and inept fielding allowed the Australians to amass the big total. Hayden was dropped twice, first by Vettori on 0, and throughout the Australian innings the New Zealanders floundered like novices in the field.

New Zealand's leading bowler Shane Bond once again failed to appear in the match, team bulletins said he was resting, but his absence continued his history of no shows in difficult matches.

Those who did turn up, and particularly Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills who had missed most of the series with suspected injuries, bowled poorly and were treated with contempt by the Australian batsman.

Oram, who missed most of the series with a hamstring injury, the latest of a series of complaints which have blighted his career, was smashed for 50 runs from five overs. Hayden, particularly, cashed in on Oram's repertoire of wide, short-pitched deliveries and half volleys.

Mills dismissed Gilchrist but gave up 72 from 10 overs for only that reward. Mark Gillespie conceded 76 runs from 10 overs but dismissed Andrew Symonds, who dashed 24 runs from 13 balls late in the innings.

Michael Hussey smashed 29 from 16 balls with three sixes and Cameron White 24 from 12 balls with a four and a six in a late, unbroken stand of 50 for the sixth wicket.