Ross Taylor marked his return from injury with an unbeaten half-century as New Zealand made steady progress batting first against Australia in the third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day cricket international here today.
Taylor was only confirmed in the side this morning after passing a fitness test on a strained hamstring which ruled him out of his team's 12-run defeat in Auckland last Saturday.
But the vice-captain showed no ill-effects as he cruised to 54 not out, with New Zealand 134 for four after 25 overs after they were sent into bat by Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
Under clear skies on an easy-paced Seddon Park pitch, New Zealand made a shaky start with opener Peter Ingram caught behind for five in the first over bowled by Ryan Harris.
Brendon McCullum hit 23 off 25 balls before chopping on to his stumps off Doug Bollinger, and when Martin Guptill hit a soft catch to cover off Mitchell Johnson to be dismissed for 21 New Zealand were a shaky 55 for three.
Taylor got straight into gear, running strongly and hitting James Hopes and spinner Nathan Hauritz for six in consecutive overs on the way to his half-century off 45 balls.
He and Neil Broom added 71 for the fourth wicket but Broom never really appeared comfortable, and on 24 he became Johnson's second victim when he edged to slip.
It brought the in-form Scott Styris to the crease to join Taylor.
New Zealand had mixed news on the injury front before play, with allrounder James Franklin (hamstring strain) and paceman Daryl Tuffey (calf strain) both ruled out.
Both players had restricted movement and while their injuries weren't considered serious, it was enough to see them omitted, with the five-match series poised at 1-1.
It meant a return to New Zealand colours for Central Districts paceman Michael Mason, 35, who played the last of his 25 one-day internationals against Scotland in Aberdeen in July, 2008.
Australia also suffered some pre-match drama, with vice-captain Michael Clarke quitting the tour for personal reasons last night, meaning a recall for batsman Adam Voges in the only change from Auckland.
Tasmanian batsman George Bailey has been summoned from Australia as cover for the rest of the series.
