Cricket: NZ off to strong start

Brendon McCullum hits a four during his innings against Australia at Eden Park. Photo: Getty Images
Brendon McCullum hits a four during his innings against Australia at Eden Park. Photo: Getty Images

New Zealand have passed 100 for the loss of two wickets in the first match of their one-day series against Australia at Eden Park.

After being sent in to bat, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill put on 79 for the first wicket.

McCullum attacked the Australian bowlers aggressively, hitting 44 runs off 29 balls, before being bowled by James Faulkner. In the process he went past 6000 runs for his career. His innings included three sixes and five fours.

Kane Williamson fell without scoring shortly afterwards, being caught by Shaun Marsh off the bowling of Josh Hazelwood.

Guptill is on 53 not out, scoring at a run a ball, while he is joined by Henry Nicholls.

The Black Caps named the same line-up that beat Pakistan on Sunday at the same ground.

Australia meanwhile have left out in-form batsman Usman Khawaja, opting to retain Shaun Marsh.

The match is the first of three one-dayers, in which the sides will compete for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.

The trophy is currently held by New Zealand, after their World Cup win at the same ground last year.

Teams 

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (c), Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

Australia: David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith (c), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazelwood.

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