New Zealand successfully defended only 199 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today to pull off a 23-run victory over world champions Australia in the opening game of their one-day series.
Shane Bond and Chris Cairns took three wickets each, but it was the run-out of Steve Waugh, with Australia in sight of victory, that proved the turning point.
The world champions had been reduced to 110 for four when play was delayed for around 15 minutes by crowd disturbances in the notorious Bay 13 section of the MCG.
After police had restored order, Waugh and Damien Martyn pushed the hosts on to 135 before Waugh's run-out sparked a desperate Australian collapse.
Waugh turned for a third, having driven the ball to deep mid on, but Martyn remained motionless at the non-striker's end. With both batsmen at the same end, the captain was out for 15.
Martyn made a dogged 24, but wickets continued to fall around him. From 135 for four, Australia were bowled out for 176 with Daniel Vettori claiming two wickets, including that of Martyn, lbw.
