Glenn McGrath of Australia leaves the field after New Zealand beat Australia in the second Chappell-Hadlee series cricket match at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. - reuters

auckland, new zealand (cmc)

Reigning World Cup champions Australia were topped from the No.1 position in the ICC one-day international (ODI) world rankings yesterday after losing to New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee series at Eden Park.

New Zealand beat the Aussies by five wickets to clinch the best-of-three series 2-0, a result that vaults South Africa ahead of the Australians in the ICC ratings.

Batting first, Australia piled up a challenging 336 for four off 50 overs with a hundred from Mike Hussey, but New Zealand sped to victory at 337 for five in 48.4 overs to secure victory.

Ross Taylor stroked a match-winning hundred for New Zealand as the Australians - labelled heavy Cricket World Cup (CWC) favourites - slumped to their fourth loss in a row and fifth defeat in six games.

This is the first time in almost four and half years that Australia are not No.1 in the ratings.

Stand-in Australian captain Hussey hit a punishing 105 off 84 balls with eight fours and six sixes, while Brad Hodge added an aggressive unbeaten 97, with 10 fours and two sixes.

But Taylor replied with a solid 117 off 128 balls with 16 fours and one six, to engineer the home side's winning response.

Peter Fulton hit 76 not out off 65 balls and Craig McMillan a terrific 52 off 30 balls to set up the amazing win with eight balls to spare.

Shane Watson (3-58) and Nathan Bracken (2-66) were the chief wicket-takers for Australia, who have suddenly lost form ahead of their CWC title defence in the Caribbean, starting next month.

Australia, who also lost their Tri-Series final to England recently, will play in Group A of the CWC first round, with South Africa, Scotland and the Netherlands in St. Kitts from March 14.

New Zealand are in Group C in St. Lucia with England, Kenya and Canada.