Katich wins opening berth

Michael Clarke's stunning success as Australia's VB Series opener has been overlooked in favour of giving Simon Katich a chance alongside Adam Gilchrist. Clarke will stay at No. 6 for the third one-day game against New Zealand as Australia push to settle the series tomorrow with two matches remaining.

A shoulder injury ruled Matthew Hayden out of the Auckland clash and Clarke, who has been frustrated by his small amount of batting time, was expected to be promoted. Katich has played 12 ODIs and opened the batting twice with scores of 2 against India last year and 38 against Pakistan in January. Clarke harvested 334 runs at the top of the order during the summer and ousted Hayden for the finals against Pakistan.

"There's no great science behind it," Ricky Ponting said. "We just like to give Simon a go at the top. We probably feel he's better suited there in that type of role as well, at the top of the order."

Clarke will continue to be Australia's versatile batsman. "We see him as being one of those guys that are pretty flexible in any position in the order," Ponting said. "After the VB series we know he can open and do it well and we know he can bat at five, six and seven and finish games off." Ponting was hopeful Hayden would be available for Tuesday's fourth game at Wellington's Basin Reseve.

Glenn McGrath has been rested after taking 4 for 16 at Wellington and 2 for 42 at Christchurch. He will be replaced by Michael Kasprowicz in a move that will please the New Zealand top order, which has struggled in the opening overs against McGrath and Brett Lee. Mike Hussey held his spot after making 32 from 20 balls in the second match.

Australia 1 Adam Gilchrist, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Mike Hussey, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Jason Gillespie, 11 Michael Kasprowicz.