Their press conference form may have been a bit off, with both coach Tim Nielsen and captain Michael Clarke making amusing slip-ups on arrival to New Zealand, but Australia continued their hot form with a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Wellington. The hosts were blown away by the Australians' pace, stumbling to a poor 118 after having won the toss.
Australia themselves stuttered after a typically breakneck opening start. David Warner pulled Shane Bond for six but was beaten by a full-pitched delivery; Shane Watson hammered four fours off a Daryl Tuffey over but fell to the wily Daniel Vettori (38 for 2). With pinch-hitter Mitchell Johnson bowled neck and crop by Bond, it briefly looked like New Zealand could pull things back.
It wasn't to be, as David Hussey marked his national comeback with a 36-ball 46. He pulled and drove confidently, and with Clarke (18 not out) shared a superb 67-run partnership. Though he fell short of a fifty, with Nathan McCullum taking the wicket, Cameron White finished the match with a couple of boundaries.
It was Australia's pace trio who lived up to the pre-match hype, with a blistering performance that knocked out the top order. Shaun Tait was fast and sharp, while Mitchell Johnson bowled Peter Ingram as New Zealand limped to 18 for 2 in their first five overs. Johnson, who took three wickets including that of Martin Guptill, briefly dangerous in hitting 30, led the charge with 3 for 19, while Dirk Nannes, Shane Watson and Tait took two apiece.
New Zealand's only period of relative resurgence was a quick 50-run partnership between all-rounder James Franklin and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins. Franklin, who scored two fours and two sixes in his 43, found a capable accomplice in Hopkins, who walloped Tait around before edging Watson behind. The others fell away lamely, and New Zealand's total did not challenge the visitors.
