Black Caps captain Kane Williamson concedes they were unable to apply enough pressure on Australia during the Chappell-Hadlee one day series.
Tom Latham is stumped Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australia beat the Black Caps by 25 runs in the third one-day international to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Steve Smith made 105, his 12th ODI century, to help Australia overcome a sluggish start and post a competitive 267-5 on a slow track in Cairns.
New Zealand managed 242 in reply before being all out in 49.5 overs.
"During the series we weren't clinical enough to be able to do that (apply pressure)," Williamson said.
"Australia has a number of weapons in their attack and they all bowled beautifully, so frustrating.
"For us there were glimpses but we needed to take in further and put out more collective performances.
Put into bat, Australia slumped to 16-2 in the sixth over after losing both openers.
Having secured the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a match to spare, Australia rested David Warner for the dead rubber.
Josh Inglis could not make the most of the opportunity and scored 10 before Trent Boult had him caught behind.
Outgoing captain Aaron Finch made five in his 146th ODI before being bowled by Tim Southee, finished his one-day career with 5,406 runs including 17 hundreds at an average of 38.89.
Smith added 118 runs with Marnus Labuschagne (52) to steady the innings and 63 more in quick time with Alex Carey to drag Australia back into the contest.
Smith hit 11 fours and a six before falling to Mitchell Santner in the 45th over trying to accelerate after taking Australia past the 200-mark.
Carey's unbeaten 42 was strewn with unorthodox shots and Cameron Green clobbered two sixes in his 25 not out.
Boult took two wickets, while Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner took one each.
New Zealand got off to a strong start in their chase but Smith took a low catch to send back Devon Conway (21) and break the opening stand.
Finn Allen made a breezy 35 but New Zealand slumped to 112-5 after skipper Kane Williamson (27) was run out in the 28th over.
Cameos by Jimmy Neesham (36), Glenn Phillips (47) and Mitchell Santner (30) dragged them back into the game before Mitchell Starc claimed the last two New Zealand wickets in successive deliveries to seal victory for the hosts.
"It's been a fun ride, like I said yesterday. I've loved every bit of it," Finch, who will continue to lead Australia in Twenty20 games, said.
"Sitting around having a beer with your mates in the change room after you win a game or a series is the thing that I miss the most but we'll definitely enjoy tonight."
- Reuters
