Australia unchanged for series finale

Australia have chosen the same line-up for the third consecutive Test against New Zealand in the series decider at Auckland tomorrow. Brett Lee will remain 12th man as Australia seek a victory to complete a 2-0 series win.

Ricky Ponting said the form of the bowling attack, which crushed the Kiwis at Wellington and in the second innings at Christchurch, meant Lee missed his 17th consecutive Test. "The bowlers have once again been outstanding and are doing very, very well and keeping Brett out of the side," he said.

After a rainy draw at Wellington, poor weather is again expected to be an issue, but Ponting countered Stephen Fleming's talk of attacking declarations to force a result by indicating he would not be in a generous mood. "You never know what's going to happen with the weather, you just have to think on your feet during the course of the game and hope we get five fine days," he said.

Austraila 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Simon Katich, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Michael Kasprowicz, 11 Glenn McGrath, 12 Brett Lee.