McCullum sets tone for Black Caps ...

Latest by now : NZ 3/146 overs 29 McCullum on 87* , Taylor 12 *

Brendon McCullum has smacked an unbeaten 73-ball 76 to hurry New Zealand to 3-123 off 25 overs against Australia at Adelaide Oval in the first of the three matches for the Commonwealth Bank Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Shaun Tait grabbed two wickets in eight balls as the Black Caps slipped from 1-115 after McCullum and Jamie How (20 off 59 balls) had shared a second-wicket stand of 99 off 120 balls.

How departed when he edged Tait low to Matthew Hayden at first slip in the 23rd over - Tait's fifth - and Scott Styris (five) nicked Tait to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist in the 25th.

Earlier, Lou Vincent (five) fell to the final ball of the third over - well caught at wide third man by James Hopes off Brett Lee.

Lee was relieved at the River Torrens end after his first three overs cost 15, but he was recalled sooner than expected when an equally quick Tait conceded 28 from his first three overs.

McCullum raced to his half-century, with nine thumping fours, off only 44 balls.

How was scoreless until he drove medium-pacer Hopes to long-on for an all-run four off the 22nd ball he faced. It raised the 50 partnership off 50 balls.

Australia left out Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin, while New Zealand did not include Jeetan Patel, Michael Mason and Gareth Hopkins.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss on a pitch that looked a typical Adelaide 'belter' and conditions were hot and windy, but with night showers forecast.

Players of both teams, accompanied by Ian and Greg Chappell, Sir Richard Hadlee, Cricket Australian chairman Creigh O'Connor and South Australian Cricket Association president Ian McLachlan, lined up in front of the members' stand for the national-anthems ceremony immediately before the start of play.