New Zealand completed a 3-0 one-day international series whitewash against Zimbabwe with an emphatic 202-run victory in Napier on Thursday.

SCORECARD

Brendon McCullum starred with the bat - making an 88-ball 119 as the hosts racked up 373 for eight from their 50 overs, before Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 171 in reply.

Brendan Taylor made 65 but lacked support as a well-balanced Black Caps attack took wickets at regular intervals.

Taylor was the only touring batsman to make any kind of impact with a captain's knock, his runs coming off just 62 balls.

He and Tatenda Taibu partially rebuilt the innings after openers Timo Mawoyo and Stuart Matsikenyeri both departed cheaply.

But, having taken the score to 81, Taibu was caught at third man by substitute fielder Colin de Grandhomme, who then played a part in the run out of Malcolm Waller.

And when De Grandhomme then caught Taylor off the bowling of Kane Williamson, the game was effectively up for Zimbabwe.

Regis Chakabva and Elton Chigumbura batted for 8.2 overs for 22 before the latter became the sixth wicket to depart.

The tail offered little resistance as New Zealand, for whom Williamson took two for 13, eased home.

Earlier, McCullum had been on course for an unbeaten century but perished off the final ball of the innings as he skied the ball to Mawoyo off the bowling of Kyle Jarvis.

His knock came after openers Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol had put on 153 for the first wicket.

New Zealand skipper McCullum said: "It was nice to come in with a few runs on the board.

"Martin and Rob played outstandingly as they have all series. Some guys have had opportunities they haven't had to play for the country and have put their hands up.

"The environment we've got and the belief are really good at the moment."

The innings was one to forget, however, for Zim bowler Brian Vitori, who was thrashed for 105 runs off just nine overs.