Bond shakes down Aussies & stirs Kiwis to huge win

Wellington, Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, First ODI: New Zealand 149/0 (27 overs) beat Australia 148 (49.3 overs) by ten wickets

New Zealand completed Australia's week of misery in style today with a crushing 10 wicket win, inflicting upon the world champions the worst ever defeat in their history.

Shane Bond set up the victory march with figures of 5-23, his best international performance at home, as the Australians slipped to their third successive defeat - arguably their worst run of results for 5 years.

With just three of Australia's Ashes XI in the picture, the understudies were made to look anything but world beaters as the Kiwis cramped the openers, strangled the middle order and cleaned up the tail.



Chasing 149 to win at less than three an over a New Zealand triumph never looked in doubt, Lou Vincent (73*) and captain Stephen Fleming (70*) steering them home with 138 balls to spare.

After a black day at the hands of the Black Caps the boys in green and gold will be praying the likes of Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist are fit and ready for the World Cup, lest they face further humiliation.

England the in-form team, the Aussies in a tizz ... who would have thought it possible just seven days ago?