The Black Caps captain Kane Williamson concedes they were "soft" in last night's 113 run loss to Australia in the second one-dayer in Cairns, which gave the hosts an unassailable 2-nil lead in the Chappell-Hadlee series.
Sean Abbott celebrates Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Choosing the bowl first New Zealand had the hosts wobbling at 54 for 5, with Australia eventually posting 195 for 9.
Despite the modest total to chase the Black Caps were all out for just 83, much to Williamson's disappointment.
"Too soft in terms of our dismissals with the bat, he said afterwards.
"We needed to try and weather the storm a bit, it was going to be a challenge but if you could try and stick together there wasn't a lot of scoreboard pressure, so you just try to reverse that momentum later on in the game."
Williamson concedes they were taught a lesson by the home side.
"Almost old school one day cricket really where you're just looking to get through some spells.
"As we saw in the first innings as well it was tough and Australia were able to get some partnerships really that got them a competitive total.
"Definitely some lessons to learn.
After winning the toss and putting the homeside into bat the Black Caps bowlers again started well reducing the Australians to 54 for five before they went onto to make 195 for nine from their 50 overs.
However Australia legspinner Adam Zampa picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI's to help bowl New Zealand out for just 82 in the 33rd over.
The Australian attack kept New Zealand batters under a tight leash with great line and length in helpful conditions for bowling.
The early damage to New Zealand was caused by seamer Sean Abbott, who came into the side after all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out due to the cramps he suffered during his match-winning effort in the first ODI.
After Mitchell Starc dismissed Martin Guptill in the opening over of the innings, Abbott sent back Devon Conway and Tom Latham in his first over and conceded only a single run in his spell of five overs.
New Zealand were reduced to 14-3 and their hopes depended heavily on captain Kane Williamson but he was out cheaply, trapped leg before wicket off a full toss delivery from Zampa.
Mitchell Starc grabs the wicket of Martin Guptill Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The legspinner then ran through the New Zealand middle order and tailenders to finish with figures of 5-35.
Earlier, pace duo Trent Boult and Matt Henry shared seven wickets between them to restrict Australia to 195 for nine after Williamson won the toss and opted to field in the must-win match, having lost the first ODI by two wickets.
Australia's top and middle order batting crumbled once again as Boult, who picked up 4-38, and Henry reduced them to 54-5.
Australia captain Aaron Finch's horrid run of form with the bat continued as he was out without scoring on the second delivery he faced. The opening batter has now scored 26 from his last seven innings, all in ODIs, in which he has led the side to five wins and two losses.
Steve Smith was the only one among the recognised batters to provide some resistance with a knock of 61 before some solid rearguard action from the Australian tailenders.
Starc, who made an unbeaten 38, Zampa and Josh Hazlewood propped up Australia, who had been reduced to 117-8 at one stage, by adding 78 for the last two wickets.
The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
-Reuters/RNZ
