Cricket: We're not on the canvas yet, insist Black Caps

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori smashes a shot during his innings against Australia. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand insist they can bounce back from their opening night cricketing jitters against Australia tomorrow after key hitters Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor failed to fire.

The sides head to Christchurch today to prepare for the second Twenty20 international (6pm tomorrow NZT) with Australia red-hot favourites after a six-wicket win with four overs to spare at Westpac Stadium.

In the face of a Shaun Tait-led pace attack, New Zealand folded to be all out for 118, with James Franklin topscoring with 43 off 42 balls.

McCullum was nicked out by a Tait thunderbolt for two in the first over, then Taylor was trapped lbw for nine by man-of-the-match Mitchell Johnson (3-21). Replays showed it was a howler from umpire Billy Bowden, with the ball clearly missing off stump.

Franklin was diplomatic about the decision but admitted the early blows put a huge dent in New Zealand's hopes at Westpac Stadium.

"Ross' record in T20 is world class and he's our leading batsman in this format with Brendon McCullum," he said.

"We know if those guys put good performances on the board then we will compete. The rest of us have got to do a job and hopefully if it's not their night, it's our night."

Australia made it four consecutive T20 wins this summer after an unbeaten series at home, while it was their fourth win from as many T20 matches against New Zealand stretching back to their first clash in Auckland in 2005.

But with the rapidly changing nature of T20, Franklin insisted the hosts still backed themselves and were undaunted.

"With Twenty20 it comes down to a few guys doing exceptionally well on the night and we just didn't have that.

"We know if we can turn up as a group then three or four of us really stand up and contribute."

Australia will head to AMI Stadium's batter-friendly pitch and short boundaries in a confident mood, after their pace attack performed well and openers David Warner and Shane Watson flayed 38 off the first three overs from Daryl Tuffey and Shane Bond.

The latter recovered with a sharp third and fourth over to take two for 32, but the total wasn't enough to defend as David Hussey coolly led the run chase home with 46 off 37 balls.

Johnson said it was important to set New Zealand back early in the five-week tour, with their noted strength in the shorter forms of the game.

"It's good to have a win first-up, especially the way we did it. Hopefully that'll be in their minds for the next game," he said.

"We've done pretty well over the past 12 months in one-day cricket... we're in a good state of mind at the moment and we're looking forward to keep dominating."

- NZPA