Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes his batsman need to take responsibility for the side's recent form slump after they crashed to their fourth consecutive one-day international defeat against New Zealand at Perth.

In all four defeats the three-time reigning world champions have been bowled out and today they could manage just 181 in the opening match of their Chappell-Hadlee series with the Kiwis.

Only an impressive bowling display kept hopes of victory alive as the Kiwis made heavy work of their chase, before eventually securing the win from the final ball when Daniel Vettori guided a Nathan Bracken delivery to the point boundary with one run needed.

The Australians' defeat comes hot on the heels of their 4-1 series defeat to South Africa, which was completed on Friday at the same venue.

"We've had a pretty disappointing weekend to be honest. Our standard of play has not been good enough," Ponting said.

"We just never got any momentum going with our batting. We are just getting out at bad times at the moment.
A couple of run outs didn't help and there was probably a decision that didn't go our way, but that's the game of cricket. It's up to us to work through those sorts of things.

"In certain circumstances the batsmen have to take some responsibility. I think that is where we are falling down at the moment."

Ponting praised the bowlers who had given his side hope of victory when they tore through the Kiwis' top order to leave them 25 for three in their chase.

He singled out the returning Tait for praise after he bowled with pace in taking two for 40 from 10 overs.

"There aren't many positives to take from the past few days, but I thought Tait's comeback tonight was very good. He's missed a couple of games and I think he stepped up," Ponting said.

"The bowling was very good. To get it down to the last ball with the total we had to defend is very impressive. The next four games in the series are going to be a very good challenge for us."