SYDNEY - New Zealand opener Jamie How notched his ninth first-class century as wickets tumbled around him on an eventful first day of the cricket tour match against New South Wales here today.
How was unbeaten on 117 at tea as New Zealand staggered to 184 for sixafter captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and chose to bat first in the four-day match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The tourists lost four for 89 in the two-hour middle session with most of the dismissals self-inflicted in their only warmup match before next Thursday's first test against Australia in Brisbane.
How's only blemish was a mix-up with vice-captain Brendon McCullum, whom he sent back after McCullum turned for a second run and was run-out at the bowler's end for four.
A visibly angry McCullum swished his bat as he departed, leaving How to prop up the innings.
How, 58 not out at lunch, never offered a chance and reached three figures midway through the session when he hit legspinner Steven Smith over long-on for six.
The milestone came up in 203 minutes, off 174 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes.
It was a welcome return to form for the opener who scored 68 runs at an average of 17 in the recent-two-test series in Bangladesh.
The same couldn't be said for his fellow batsmen who had a good chance for time in the middle on an easy-paced pitch against a second-string NSW pace attack missing internationals Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken and Doug Bollinger.
Ross Taylor began a collapse of four for 46 off 14 overs when he drove at a wide delivery from 17-year-old debutant Josh Hazlewood and was caught at slip for 31.
After McCullum's mix-up, Daniel Flynn (2) and Vettori (3) departed in the space of four overs, Flynn caught behind off paceman Grant Lambert and Vettori guiding a catch to second slip off the same bowler.
Kyle Mills was helping How revive the innings, four not out at tea.
