Cricket: Stryris, Bond guide NZ home

Scott Styris (L) and Shane Bond celebrate NZ's win over Australia in the first ODI in Napier. Photo / NZPA

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Scott Styris went from 12th man to national hero as his cool-headed knock steered New Zealand to a thrilling two-wicket win over Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy cricket opener in Napier tonight.

Recalled for this series, Styris was only included after skipper Daniel Vettori withdrew with a neck injury, and the veteran allrounder responded with an unbeaten 49 off 34 balls as New Zealand chased down 276 with four balls to spare at McLean Park.

Shane Bond (11 off eight) was another hero, hitting Shane Watson for two boundaries in the 49th over as he and Styris took 12 runs off it, then Styris cracked Doug Bollinger over his head for six to send the crowd of 8257 into a frenzy. He hit seven fours and a six in all.

It was New Zealand's fifth consecutive one-day international win over Australia on home soil and gave them a flying start in their bid to wrest back the trophy in the five-match series.

There was controversy, too, with Styris and Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson having a heated mid-pitch clash after he hit consecutive boundaries in the 46th over. Johnson advanced on Styris and they clashed heads, which match referee Ranjan Madugalle may examine.

Stand-in skipper Ross Taylor - named man of the match - got New Zealand close with 70 off 71 balls but they were further hampered by Jacob Oram's absence from the batting order.

Oram appeared to hyper-extend his left knee while fielding and was assisted off the ground in pain in the 28th over.

Vettori is expected back for Saturday's second match in Auckland while Oram faces an uncertain future and a scan tomorrow.

Needing a tick under six an over in their chase, New Zealand flew into their work with Brendon McCullum (45 off 43) and Peter Ingram (40 off 41) racking up 75 off 11.2 overs.

Both departed by the 15 over mark, McCullum chopping on from Bollinger and Ingram lofting a catch.

Martin Guptill (9) and James Franklin (12) both laboured over their innings as Taylor cruised to 50 off 45 balls and New Zealand stayed ahead in the comparison.

New Zealand needed 71 off the final 10 overs with five wickets in hand, and Taylor in command, but he tried to hit Watson into the Harris Stand and was snared by Michael Hussey. When Neil Broom chopped Bollinger on for 19, two overs later, it was advantage Australia.

Amid the injury calamity, New Zealand's bowlers battled well to restrict Australia to 275 for eight on a McLean Park belter as Hussey topscored with 59 at a run-a-ball.

Oram delivered seven tidy overs, taking the key wicket of Watson in figures of one for 29, before his sprigs appeared to catch in the turf when fielding a regulation delivery and he was left writhing in agony.

"His knee is painful, it's still unclear what it is and there will be further investigation in Auckland tomorrow and we'll assess after that," New Zealand manager Dave Currie said.

A total of well over 300 looked on after Watson (45 off 31) blazed away but Oram and Daryl Tuffey (3-58) stemmed the flow.

Bond was fast and accurate, ending with two for 50 including the key wickets of Brad Haddin and Hussey, while Styris chipped in to concede 27 off six.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting had a life on 25 when umpire Tony Hill missed an edge off Southee, but was removed for 44 by a brilliant Guptill catch off James Franklin.

Southee, the star of the Twenty20 victory in Christchurch, suffered early on against Watson and ended with one for 66 off eight.

Led by Guptill, the fielding was excellent throughout and the New Zealand death bowling was sound, conceding 82 off the final 10 including the power play.

- NZPA