Australia cruise to Twenty20 win

First Twenty20 international, Wellington (Westpac Stadium):
Australia 119-4 (16 ovs) beat New Zealand 118 (20 ovs) by six wickets
Match scorecard

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Hussey guided Australia to a 1-0 lead in the two-game series

Australia cruised to a leisurely six-wicket win in Wellington after bowling New Zealand out for 118 in the first of their two Twenty20 internationals.

James Franklin top-scored with 43 as only three Kiwis made double figures, while Mitchell Johnson took 3-19.

The visitors reached 38-0 before losing three quick wickets for one run.

But David Hussey hit 46, supported by captain Michael Clarke, to steady the ship and Cameron White hit a six to win it in style with four overs to spare.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori opted to bat after winning the toss at the Westpac Stadium, but his side were soon fighting a rearguard action after the early dismissals of Brendon McCullum and Peter Ingram left them on 13-2.

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Martin Guptill proved more stubborn in the face of the pace of Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes and Johnson and formed a useful partnership with Franklin after Ross Taylor had fallen for nine.

But Guptill, 23, gifted Johnson his third wicket with a skied shot to Shane Watson as the hosts' chances were further undermined.

Franklin rattled along nicely and a couple of sixes helped him to his highest Twenty20 international score.

But once Gareth Hopkins had edged Watson to Brad Haddin for 21, the New Zealand innings swiftly folded.

The final five wickets fell for only nine runs as the Kiwis registered their lowest Twenty20 total against their neighbours.

The Australian openers started their chase at a pace, with Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey's opening overs disappearing for 10 and 18 runs respectively.

But after David Warner had crunched another two boundaries in his second over, Bond took revenge as the 23-year-old chopped on to his own stumps for 19.

Watson followed, before Bond bowled Johnson for one to check the Australian progress.

But they were soon back in their stride with Hussey battering five fours as Clarke held up the other end with a solid 18 not out.

The second and final match of the series takes place in Christchurch on Sunday.

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