New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor scored 113 runs as the hosts defeated England by three wickets in the first one-day international of the series between the sides.
England, who had Ben Stokes back in their 50-over lineup, batted first and set their opponents a target of 284, losing eight wickets in their time at the crease. New Zealand battled through their innings, eventually winning on 287-7 with three balls to spare when Mitchell Santner thrashed the ball out of the ground for a six.
England's opening partnership of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow lasted just 10 runs, as the latter was bowled out for four at the end of the third over. Roy was dismissed by Santner just a run short of his half-century, before Joe Root (71) and Jos Buttler (79) pushed England on.
Stokes and Eoin Morgan came into the crease, but could only muster 20 runs between them, before Moeen Ali managed 28 and Chris Woakes and David Willey both amassed 11.
New Zealand began slowly in their innings, as Colin Munro and Kane Williamson were both dismissed inside the first nine overs. Woakes took his second wicket of the contest as Martin Guptill, caught by Ben Stokes, went for 13 runs off 29 balls.
Three wickets down and only 27 runs on the scoreboard, New Zealand needed Thomas Latham's 79-run knock off 84 balls to bring them back into contention. Things got better for the hosts too, as Taylor, in after Williamson's dismissal, hit an incredible 113 from 116 balls to give New Zealand hope of victory.
Despite the hosts then losing Henry Nicholls for a duck and Colin de Grandhomme for two, Santner came in and ensured that New Zealand would take a 1-0 lead in the series with a huge six into the crowd.
The second ODI of the series will take place on Wednesday morning.
Jonny Whitfield
