CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting belted a record unbeaten 141 to lead Australia to a massive 5-347 against New Zealand at McLean Park today.
Ponting signed off on the innings in style with two towering sixes off the last two balls to receive a standing ovation from the capacity Napier crowd.
The skipper put his side on the cusp of a 5-0 series whitewash with his 17th one-day international century which came off 127 balls.
It broke the previous highest score made against NZ of 138 not out by Greg Chappell in Sydney in 1980-81.
Ponting also claimed a ground record by eclipsing rival captain Stephen Fleming's 111 not out against Australia at McLean Park seven years ago.
World champion Australia's total also the biggest one-day score amassed at the Napier ground, easily eclipsed the previous best of 6-277 set by NZ against Pakistan in 1984-85.
The total was only 12 runs short of Australia's best-ever one day score of 2-359 against India in the 2003 World Cup final.
The depleted Black Caps injury woes continued with all-rounder Chris Cairns pulling his hamstring while fielding in the fourth over.
Cairns took no further part in play and will only bat if required in the massive run-chase.
Adam Gilchrist sparked the whirlwind innings with a spectacular 91 off 61 including nine boundaries and four sixes.
He was particularly punishing on new-ball bowler Kyle Mills who conceded 45 runs from his opening six-over spell.
Before Gilchrist fell in the 19th over - mistiming a drive to extra cover off local real estate agent Lance Hamilton - the tourists were looking at giving the 400 barrier a nudge.
Damien Martyn (40 off 46), Andrew Symonds (17 and 15) and Michael Clarke (43 off 36) kept the scoreboard ticking in handy partnerships with Ponting.
Ponting blazed 10 boundaries and five sixes.