Croquet: Disastrous start for NZ

New Zealand have made a disastrous start in the MacRobertson Shield quadrangular world croquet teams' tournament in Florida, trailing Australia 3-0 after the first round of doubles.

Australia won all three matches in straight games, but New Zealand manager Charles Jones is confident his team can recover from the early setback in the first round of singles on the second day in the 21-match contest.

Defending champions Britain, chasing a fifth successive shield title after pipping New Zealand 11-10 in the virtual final in the last tournament in Christchurch in 2000, lead hosts America 2-1.