AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) Martin Guptill made 90, becoming the first man to strike a six onto the roof of Eden Park's North Stand, and Brendon McCullum made 44 in his last innings at the Auckland stadium as New Zealand made 307-8 batting first in the first one-day international against Australia on Wednesday.
Guptill's big hit off Kane Richardson in the fourth over was estimated to have traveled 113 meters (370 feet) on the fly.
Guptill went on to hit four more sixes along with eight fours in his innings of 90 from 76 balls. His 79-run opening partnership with McCullum set New Zealand on course to a competitive total.
Wednesday's match had been long-awaited by New Zealand cricket fans; since the teams last met in the final of the World Cup in March when Australia ruthlessly extinguished New Zealand hopes of a significant international trophy.
They had met before that at Eden Park in the pool stages of the world tournament when New Zealand won a low-scoring thriller by one wicket with a six by Kane Williamson.
Much has changed since. Only four members of the Australian side which won the World Cup final remain - Steve Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner - while New Zealand had eight.
New Zealanders have since sought revenge, not for the loss but for the way in which the Australians behaved in achieving it. Australia's typical sledging reached a crescendo in that match, led by retired wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
The Australians received many reminders of that from a hostile crowd at Eden Park.
Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bowl, based on the fact that the chasing team normally wins in Auckland.
McCullum attacked every ball with a flat-bat swipe, missing as many as he hit. He lived on luck and survived 29 balls, five of which he hit for fours and three for sixes, before that luck ran out.
In reaching 44 he became the third New Zealander after Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle to surpass 6,000 runs in ODIs.
Guptill exploited the short straight boundaries and belatedly made his first significant score against Australia.
Henry Nicholls anchored the middle of the innings with 61 from 67 balls.
New Zealand lost direction around Nicholls' dismissal, scoring a modest 56-3 between the 25th and 40th overs, including the cheap dismissals of Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson.
Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi, sorely out of form, labored over 26 balls to make 16 and Mitchell Santner was left to make 35 not out at the death.
John Hastings bowled an outstanding, containing 10 overs spell for Australia, taking 1-39 while Mitch Marsh took 2-35.
