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Aussie batsmen again skittled in Auckland

Tourists found wanting by Black Caps on first outing in New Zealand since World Cup

For the second time in less than a year, Australia's batsmen have collapsed against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

Chasing 308 to win, the Aussies lost Shaun Marsh for five - caught at slip off the bowling of Matt Henry - in the second over of the innings before the wicket of Steve Smith started a collapse that would ultimately yield five wickets for just eight runs.

Smith had briefly steadied the innings with a 23-run partnership with David Warner before he dragged a Henry delivery back onto his stumps to make the score 2-33.

Match wrap: NZ thrash Australia by 159 runs

Warner fell in the next over for 12, hit on the pads by Trent Boult and given out by standing umpire Derek Walker.

The opener had a long discussion with batting partner George Bailey before deciding not to call for a review and reluctantly leaving the arena.

He would have been a frustrated man when he watched the replay, with the ball-tracking technology showing the ball to be travelling well over the stumps.

Bailey then handed Henry his third wicket when he was caught at midwicket by Corey Anderson, just three balls after he was dropped by the same fielder in the same position.

Glenn Maxwell fell with the first ball of the next over and when Boult had Mitchell Marsh edging to slip for 0, the Aussies had lost 4-2 in just 16 balls.

Quick Single: Aussies thrashed in series opener

Fighting performances with the bat from Matthew Wade (37), James Faulkner (36) and Kane Richardson (19) reduced final margin of victory, but the lower order had too much to do as the Kiwis wrapped up the match by 159 runs and with more than 25 overs still to spare.

WATCH: Faulkner's brilliant return catch

The collapse revived memories of the thrilling clash between the two sides at the same venue last year, when Australia lost 8-26 in an extraordinary match during the 2015 World Cup.

The tourists started brightly on that occasion and moved to 1-80 before the wickets started to tumble, while the Black Caps themselves fell apart in the run chase, losing 6-15 before Kane Williamson sealed the win with one wicket to spare.

Watch: Black Caps win a World Cup thriller