Ponting, Hayden hundreds help Australia to massive total

SYDNEY, Jan 28 (Reuters) Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden smashed centuries to help Australia post a massive total of 343 for five in their tri-series one-day international against New Zealand today.

Ponting belted 111 off 122 balls and Hayden 117 from 111 deliveries as Australia set a new record for the highest one-day total at the WACA in Perth.

The pair shared a 200-run partnership for the second wicket after Adam Gilchrist departed cheaply for 13 before Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds and Cameron White piled on 100 runs from the last 10 overs to take the total soaring past 300.

Ponting struck eight boundaries and a six in a superb innings to chalk up his 21st one-day international ton, while Hayden rode his luck on a scorching hot day where the temperature reached 41.6 degrees Celsius.

Hayden was dropped on naught, four and 79 but survived to bring up his sixth one-day hundred in an innings that featured 15 fours.

He was eventually bowled by Daniel Vettori, who had dropped him before he had gotten off the mark, while Ponting was caught in deep by Peter Fulton.

Michael Clarke made just seven before the late flurry from Symonds, Hussey and White, who hit six sixes between them.

Symonds made 24 from 13 balls, Hussey 29 not out from 16 deliveries and White 20 from 12.

REUTERS PM PM1447