Aussies slump again

Injury-hit Australia slipped to their fourth defeat in five one-day internationals as New Zealand romped to a 10-wicket victory in the opening Chapple-Hadlee Trophy match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Lou Vincent, who finished the game with a six, and captain Stephen Fleming scored the vital runs, taking just 27 overs to hit respective scores of 73 and 70.

But it was New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond who did the real damage, cutting a swathe through Australia's batting line-up to capture five for 23 as the tourists collapsed to 148 all out.

Making use of perfect bowling conditions, Bond took the wickets of recalled opener Phil Jaques (one), who wafted an easy catch to Daniel Vettori in the second over, and then Brad Haddin, who was bowled through the gate for six.

Bond bowled six overs in his first spell for figures of two for seven, before coming back even stronger in his second spell as he got down low to take a superb one-handed catch off a well-hit Cameron White drive to leave Australia 108 for six in the 40th over.

Nathan Bracken had no answer to a Bond yorker in the 48th over and was bowled for a duck to help him finish with four for 14 from nine overs.

He rounded off the innings by bowling Brad Hogg for 20 in his last over.

However, New Zealand suffered a setback when Jacob Oram sustained a suspected fracture to his ring finger and was forced to leave the field.