New Zealand has claimed the three-match ODI series 2-1 after beating Australia by 55 runs in Hamilton to give Brendon McCullum a fitting send-off from 50-over cricket.

Set a target of 247 to win, Australia was unable to string enough meaningful partnerships together as they were dismissed for 191 on Monday night.

Usman Khawaja top-scored with 44 at the top of the order and Mitchell Marsh (41) briefly looked set to repeat his heroics of two days ago, but economical Black Caps bowling ultimately proved the difference.

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There was controversy in Marsh’s dismissal as he hit a ball into his foot and straight back to Matt Henry (3-60) for the return catch.

Replays showed the dismissal was a correct one, but Henry’s half-hearted appeal prompted a long discussion between the umpires, who seemingly reviewed it after replays were shown on the stadium’s big screen.

Mitchell Marsh walks off after being dismissed by Matt Henry. Photo: Getty

Ultimately the correct decision was made, and Australia’s tail could not wag the team out of trouble. John Hastings skied a catch to deep square leg for 6, before an excellent Martin Guptill catch saw Matthew Wade fall for 17.

McCullum then had some joy in the field, taking a superb forward-diving catch in the slips to dismiss Adam Zampa for 2, before Scott Boland was run out soon after to wrap up a New Zealand series win.

In his last ODI for the Black Caps, McCullum came out to a guard of honour and handshake from rival captain Steve Smith to open New Zealand’s innings, and proceeded to smash a signature rambunctious knock of 47 off 27 balls.

His innings included six boundaries and three sixes, taking him to exactly 200 sixes in his ODI career – only Chris Gayle, Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi have more.

New Zealand’s opening stand was 84 before McCullum skied a catch to Hastings (2-42) to bring his 50-over career to an end – he will wrap up his five-day tenure at the conclusion of the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Fellow opener Martin Guptill made 59 off 61, while Grant Elliott hit a controlled 50 off 62.

But the Kiwis would have been disappointed their total was not higher after a good start, as Australia’s bowlers tightened their grip in the death overs.

Marsh, fresh after his heroics with the bat in the second ODI, starred with the ball to claim 3-34 in six overs. Boland (2-59) and Josh Hazlewood (2-45) chipped in with two each.

New Zealand was 5-223 with 10 overs left to bowl, before Luke Ronchi, Doug Bracewell, Adam Milne and Ish Sodhi all falling for single figures in five-wicket collapse for 23 runs.

The two-match Test series commences in Wellington on February 12.