David Leggat: Bowlers give glimpse of hope

Did the opening one-day canter against Pakistan give a first small glimpse of New Zealand's fast bowling future?

At times like this, it's best not to get too far ahead of the game. Tougher contests, in more gruelling circumstances against better batting lineups than this limp effort from the tourists await.

As well as Tim Southee performed with his best ODI figures, Hamish Bennett's first appearance in black on home turf was, in its own way, possibly the most encouraging aspect of the nine-wicket win.

Southee first. He's had a solid summer's work. He impressed during the two tests against Pakistan, often bowling without luck.

Then there was his five for 18 in the opening T20 at Eden Park on Boxing Day, his best figures in that form of the game.

On Saturday, combining swing with decent pace in helpful conditions, Southee sliced through the tourists to finish with five for 33.

The signs are good that Southee is at last revealing his true talents on a consistent basis. He's 22, and has been in and around the team for three years. There were times the question was asked why, as he battled through lean periods.

But the persistence of those close to the action is paying off.

Bennett is 23, a bouncy, lively seamer who runs in with purpose, hits the pitch hard and has that knack of hurrying the shot.

You'll hear cricketers talk about bowlers who can serve up a "heavy" ball. It doesn't mean they're necessarily quicker than others around them, just that they have the knack of hitting the bat harder than others.

Bennett played two ODIs in Bangladesh last year, did well, but broke down on day one of the first test on the subsequent tour to India.

He's had a handful of one-dayers for Canterbury and his three for 26 off eight overs on Saturday mark him as potentially a rapid riser.

"He was outstanding. He hit good areas and bowled with good pace," captain Dan Vettori said.

Both Southee and Bennett admitted there was enough in the pitch to have the seamers' fingers getting itchy for an opportunity.

That said, Pakistan were desperately poor.

From 29 for three, on a pitch with bounce and offering movement, they were pushing uphill but apart from Misbah-ul-Haq, who continued his impressive form since arriving in New Zealand - 126 not out, 62, 99 70 not out and now 50 - there was no one with the stomach for a fight.

Once Jesse Ryder got his eye in - 55 off 34 balls - it was all over.

He pummelled the ageing Shoaib Akhtar, who gave up 47 runs in four overs and after a lean trot of late, was bruising and belligerent.

New Zealand's fielding was snappy enough, save a couple of misses by Brendon McCullum, with the gloves on again, and Jacob Oram at long on.

One downside of the easy win was that the experiment of McCullum at No 6 will have to wait another day.

McCullum is no stranger to that middle order ODI role, although it's four years since he was last there and he might have to fight the instinct to grab the pads at the start of the innings.

That he didn't get his chance on Saturday was largely down to two young men who gave an early indication of what New Zealand's future test new ball attack might look like.

Next up it's Queenstown on Wednesday.

Having put a full stop on the run of successive losses at 11, New Zealand now have to press on and make the most of the initiative. Wellington on Saturday cannot come to be remembered as a false dawn.