NZ crash to humiliating defeat

Brett Lee ran through a woeful New Zealand batting line-up to inspire a crushing victory at Eden Park tonight.

After Australia posted 252 for 8, New Zealand was bowled out for just 105 in 27.4 overs.

As far as batting performances go it must rate as one of the worst displays by New Zealand in recent history, such was the frailty of the top order.

The 28 year old Lee bowled with controlled aggression and took three for five off six overs. His spell included four maidens and only two runs came off the bat. Lee was well supported by Nathan Bracken and rookie Stuart Clark who each bowled tidily.

New Zealand’s strategy of taking on the inexperienced Australian bowling line-up proved a complete failure. Lou Vincent went early, chopping on to Bracken for four and Hamish Marshall followed in identical fashion off Lee.

Scott Styris was well caught by a diving Michael Clarke after scoring one off 16 balls. Supersub James Marshall misjudged a short ball from Lee and was trapped right in front for the same score.

Lee was too quick for Craig McMillan who edged to slip for an eight ball duck. New Zealand’s capitulation was complete when opener Nathan Astle was dismissed for 14 by Clark. Astle had looked in solid touch yet received little strike in his hour stay at the wicket.

At 33 for 6, Jacob Oram joined Chris Cairns and forged a 41 run partnership. Just as a possible recovery beckoned, Oram misjudged a Clark delivery and was cleaned bowled for 23 off 33 balls.

Andrew Symonds accounted for captain Daniel Vettori and James Franklin cheaply while Clark picked up Brendon McCullum for two.

Cairns was left on 37 off 32 balls but ran out of partners batting at number seven.

Earlier in the day Australia were put in to bat by New Zealand. It seemed an inspired decision as Adam Gilchrist fell in the third over caught at slip to Kyle Mills with the score at 4. Captain Ricky Ponting and opener Simon Katich then put on 117 quickly, both batsmen making half-centuries.

Styris and Vettori removed both batsmen and bowled economical spells. Vettori was superb, taking 2 for 29 off 10 overs. A mini-collapse saw Australia move from 121 for 2 to 148 for 4. Symonds and Clarke consolidated, making 44 and 31 respectively.

Cairns and Mills bowled well at the death to restrict the tourists on an unusually bouncy Eden Park wicket.

New Zealand’s efforts in the park included a handful of misfields and at least four dropped catches. The late exclusion of fast bowler Shane Bond did not help proceedings, but when your batsmen can only muster barely 100 runs then it may have been inconsequential.

The Black Caps must regroup quickly as the next match is on Wednesday in Wellington.

Australia 252 for 8
Ricky Ponting 63, Simon Katich 54
Daniel Vettori 2-29, Scott Styris 2-45

New Zealand 105 all out in 27.4 overs
Chris Cairns 37no, Jacob Oram 23
Brett Lee 3-5, Stuart Clark 3-19

Australia won by 147 runs, leads three match series 1-0

Cricket Web Player of the Match
Bree Lee 3-5