Australia's world-champion cricketers yesterday overcame a hostile reception to smash New Zealand by 147 runs at Eden Park, making laughable the Kiwis' claims they had been arrogant by resting Glenn McGrath.
And paceman Brett Lee indicated he has entered of the finest era of his career after blasting through the New Zealand batting order with imposing pace but perhaps even more admirable control.
Lee yesterday revealed his bold intentions to claim 200 Test wickets by the end of the South African Test series.
He yesterday set the tone for the summer when he made the Marshall twins, Hamish and James, look foolish in a sizzling six-over opening spell which reaped 3/5.
He hit the 156km/h mark several times but he never looked like giving away runs or spray excessive sundries.
The Australians dismissed the Black Caps for 105 with 22.3 overs remaining and had them in knots from the beginning of the New Zealand run chase.
Fellow quicks Nathan Bracken (2/40) and Stuart Clark (3/19) also shone and proved there was plenty of bite in Australia's new-look attack.
The crowd disturbances – which included items fruit and drink bottles thrown by the crowd – came as Lee and Bracken scuttled a frazzled top order.
There was also a streaker running on to the pitch which halted play.
Bracken began the dismantling when Lou Vincent played on, while he also chimed in with the scalp of Scott Styris, who was brilliantly caught by Michael Clarke at point.
Lee torched NZ earlier this year in the five-match series when he finished as Australia's leading wicket-taker and put young batsman Michael Papps in hospital with concussion.
Last night he repeatedly hit a scorching 156km/h mark and made No. 3 Hamish Marshall look foolish.
The NZ No. 3 barely got bat to ball on one delivery and it was no surprise when he played-on to the blond quick.
Brother James later bewilderingly began to duck into what he thought was going to be bouncer only to be hit on the pads by a full delivery.
When Clark dismissed Nathan Astle, the Caps had slipped to 6/33 in the 13th over.
Veteran Chris Cairns, returning to the side after fitness problems, and powerful allrounder Jacob Oram added 41 off 37 balls but their flurry only delayed the inevitable.
Watching the New Zealand run chase, spectators would have thought it was a wicket full of demons.
But the Australians – led by captain Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich – had earlier proved it was a manageable if difficult wicket. Batsmen were also helped by the short boundaries.
Australian thought it may have had a fight on its hands after its stuttering efforts with the bat ended at 8/252.
A 117-run stand between Ponting (63) and Katich (54) was wasted in a top-order collapse of 3/27 but Andrew Symonds (44) and Michael Clarke(31) steadied the innings.
Michael Hussey, who continues a rare vein of form, added the finishing touches with and unbeaten 21 runs from 20 deliveries batting at No. 7.
- JON PIERIK