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SYDNEY - A brilliant century from stand-in captain Brendon McCullum couldn't save New Zealand from a seven-run defeat in their cricket tour opener against a Australian Chairman's 11 near Perth.
Opening the batting, McCullum smashed 119 off 126 deliveries as New Zealand chased 286 to win, but they could only manage 278 for nine off their 50 overs in the festival match at Lilac Hill.
McCullum hit nine fours and five sixes to have his side on track for victory for much of the run chase before he was caught in the 40th over.
He lacked support, with Jamie How's 30 and a late flurry from Mark Gillespie (30 not out) the only other scores of note.
Regular captain Daniel Vettori and paceman Kyle Mills were rested, handing McCullum the chance to lead his country.
But his bowlers got a torrid welcome back to Australia as the Cricket Australia Chairman's 11, made up largely of promising youngsters, racked up 285 before being dismissed in the 47th over.
Allrounder Jacob Oram was the pick, taking late wickets to finish with three for 40 off seven overs as he tested out his hamstring injury.
Paceman Chris Martin took two for 36 off nine and spinner Jeetan Patel two for 61 off 10.
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 Gillespie removed Hussey to a catch by Oram.
Mercifully, the last five wickets fell for 48 runs.
Iain O'Brien fared worst of the bowlers, his four overs going for 52 runs.
New Zealand play Australia in a Twenty20 international in Perth on Tuesday before the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy opener in Adelaide on Friday.
- NZPA
