Cricket: Chairman's tough agenda

New Zealand's bowlers got a torrid welcome back to Australia as the Chairman's Xl set them 286 to win their one-day match in Perth.

Stand-in captain Brendon McCullum sent the home side into bat on winning the toss in their tour opener at Lilac Hill but his bowlers hardly covered themselves in glory.

Allrounder Jacob Oram was the pick, taking late wickets to finish with three for 40 off seven overs.

Paceman Chris Martin took two for 36 off nine and spinner Jeetan Patel two for 61 off 10 as the hosts were dismissed for 285 in the 47th over.

Western Australian Luke Pomersbach and Victorian David Hussey were the main destroyers with the bat, Pomersbach cracking 88 off 65 balls and Hussey hitting five sixes in his innings of 73 off 53 balls.

A huge total looked in prospect with the score 237 for five in the 33rd over before paceman Mark Gillespie removed Hussey.

- NZPA