Winning the toss for the first time in the four-game series finally paid dividends for the New Zealand Academy today, the success being the forerunner of the side's only victory over the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy at Lincoln University.

Plagued by injuries, the New Zealanders had been out-played in the first three games of the series, and even the introduction of international players as ring-ins had not helped the side.

However, today in continuing cool conditions which have plagued the series, New Zealand batted first and made easily their best start of the series.

Skipper Brendon McCullum and Jamie How took to the Australians and put on 61 runs in the first five overs.

Their 50-run partnership took only 20 minutes and 26 balls. It wasn't all power hitting, some subtle placements were also part of the formula.

How was the first man out, in the fifth over when caught in the covers for 23 off 19 balls.

McCullum's half-century took only 23 balls and included eight fours and a six.

Nick Horsley supported the rampant McCullum until 110 runs were on the board. At that stage McCullum's attempted pull shot from Mark Cosgrove was skied and his 67 off 42 balls was his lot.

Not surprisingly, the impetus slowed and while wickets continued to fall, Jonathan McNamee produced a timely innings, scoring 49 to see the Academy through to 227/8 with eight overs left.

Some sparks flew when New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Mills and Andrew James had words with James attempting to Mankad Mills at one stage. James had the final say when bowling Mills with a slower ball. But not before Mills had scored 24 from 19 balls.

New Zealand did make the mistake of failing to bat out their 50 overs. They scored 244 from 46.4 overs.

Steven Crook had a costly 10 overs, conceding 80 runs while Xavier Doherty had the most satisfaction from his bowling with two for 31 from 10 overs.

Having been on the injured list in recent games Wade Cornelius soon made his presence felt during a fiery first spell in the CBCA innings. In his first four overs, Cornelius took three wickets for 16 runs. He then changed ends and in his fifth consecutive over he secured another wicket.

Mills added two wickets in quick succession and the Australians were languishing at 54/7 off 14 overs.

Cornelius picked up a sixth wicket in his eight over and by the time his 10 overs were completed he had six for 32.

Beau Casson was the only Australian to make a significant impression on the scoreboard, finishing on 32 not out.

All out for 111, the Australians lost by 133 runs.

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