PERTH, Australia Stuart Carlisle was both hero and villain for Zimbabwe as they lost to Australia by one run in a compelling climax to their triangular series day-night match on Sunday.

A superb, unbeaten 144 by Australian opener Damien Martyn had put Zimbabwe in a seemingly hopeless position, chasing Australia's 302 for five from 50 overs.

But a 187-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Grant Flower (85) and Carlisle (119) left the African side needing 15 to win off the last over, bowled by Glenn McGrath. They plundered 13 from it, finishing on 301 for six.

Carlisle, who hit 11 fours and one six in his 145-ball innings, was dropped on one by Australian Captain Steve Waugh in the gully.

But he was involved in a short run during his partnership with Flower as they ran for three. Had he made his ground, the match would have been a tie.

Carlisle described his second century in limited overs internationals as his greatest moment playing for Zimbabwe, but added he had already apologized to his team mates for the short run.

"It was unfortunate, but I don't think you can blame too much on that," Carlisle told reporters. "There's lots of ups and downs in cricket."

For Zimbabwe it has been mainly the latter in the triangular series, winning just one of their eight matches but going so close on Sunday against the hosts.

They needed 15 to win off the last over, bowled by Glenn McGrath, and plundered 13 from it, finishing on 301 for six.

Australia had tipped the scales back in their favor, after it appeared they had thrown away a certain victory, when all-rounder Ian Harvey took a freakish caught and bowled from hard-hitting Zimbabwe Captain Heath Streak (nine) off the last ball of the 49th over.

Australia are now unbeaten in eight matches going into the best-of-three finals against West Indies which start with a day-night match in Sydney on Wednesday.

Waugh said Australia were lucky to win against Zimbabwe. Fast bowler Brett lee was a major concern on the night, taking one for 72 off eight overs on a pitch tailor-made for fast bowling.

"We were surprised how well they batted after watching them play against the West Indies (Zimbabwe made 134 all out chasing 179 to win on Friday)," Waugh told reporters.

"It was almost like a totally different side and they probably deserved to win in the end.

"Ninety-nine times out of 100, if you get 300 you'd expect to win, that's a big chase."

In four one-day innings, Martyn has scored 42, 21 not out, 69 not out and now 144 not out from 149 balls, to make his average for the series 276.

His only dismissal came from a run out for 42 against West Indies in Melbourne.

(Reuter)