None of the New Zealand batsmen was able to dominate -- Martin Guptill top scored with 40 -- and wickets fell at regular intervals as Australia took control. The victory will come as a welcome boost to the Australians, who had lost their last five ODIs in series losses to South Africa and India. Test spearhead Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers with 3-25, while allrounder Mitchell Marsh claimed 3-29. Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood both picked up two wickets in an impressive team display. Earlier, New Zealand spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi reined Australia in after Finch and Warner's bright start.

Warner brought up a chanceless half-century but soon began to struggle when New Zealand's fastest bowler, Lockie Ferguson, came round the wicket and he eventually fell when he was beaten by pace and sliced a Ferguson thunderbolt to mid-on. Santner struck next when Finch got a faint edge to keeper Tom Latham to leave Australia 145 for two. He then rocked the home side when he bowled Steve Smith (14) with the addition of only one run.

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Leg-spinner Sodhi was expensive early but he adjusted his length and claimed the next three wickets to give New Zealand hope of chasing down the Australian total under the SCG lights. The second match will take place on Sunday, also at the SCG.

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