By Oliver Brett
England produced a dismal batting display in the first one-day international in Wellington as New Zealand won by six wickets.
England chose to bat first but, with just seven boundaries and Phil Mustard the top-scorer with 31, were bowled out for 130 with two balls to spare.
Stuart Broad impressed with 3-26 but the bowlers had nothing to defend.
New Zealand eased to victory in 30 overs, completely at home on a slow wicket which had bamboozled England.
Given that the tourists had enjoyed such a good build-up to the series, with comprehensive wins in the two Twenty20 internationals, it was a desperately disappointing performance from them - particularly with the bat.
The drop-in wicket provided only minimal swing and seam for the bowlers, and New Zealand's bowlers were simply rewarded for bowling accurately.
A dramatic security alert on a domestic flight from Blenheim to Christchurch - in which a woman passenger allegedly stabbed both pilots and threatened to blow up the plane - delayed England's own flight on Friday from South Island by several hours.
They then opted against a rushed practice at the Westpac Stadium before the scheduled start at 1400 local time on Saturday - but the lack of preparation could hardly be an excuse.
606: DEBATE
Soon after Paul Collingwood had called correctly and observed the first few overs from the sanctuary of the pavilion, he would have picked up on some worrying signs.
The pace that had been on offer in Auckland and Christchurch was nowhere to be seen.
Wicket-keeper Mustard, who had hit some thunderous shots over the infield in the Twenty20 matches, was deprived of leg-side hitting opportunities.
And on the few occasions he did get decent bat to ball he was mostly unable to pierce the ring of fielders saving the singles.
Cook, replacing Luke Wright at the top of the order, never settled and it was no surprise when he played all around a delivery from Chris Martin to be bowled for 11.
Cook and Mustard put on 34 for the first wicket, and as a procession of England batsmen came and went, that proved to be easily the most productive partnership.
Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen both played on and when Mustard missed a straight one the score was 67-4.
If that was lamentable enough, England then gifted three of their next four wickets to run-outs.
Owais Shah failed to respond to his captain's call for a quick single to mid-on, so Collingwood was forced to turn back to his crease.
But Ross Taylor's return to Brendon McCullum was too swift and England were 80-5.
In the 32nd over, Ravi Bopara - having ground out three runs from 21 balls - received a rare loose ball from Styris, but flogged it straight to Peter Fulton at deep square leg.
In the space of four balls, Shah and Graeme Swann were both run out, again at the striker's end, and again following hideous breakdowns in communication.
From the wreckage of 104-8, Broad clung on grimly to remain unbeaten on 18, the third best score of the innings.
But a target of 131, even on a minefield - which this wasn't - was always likely to be a cakewalk.
Debutant opening batsman Jesse Ryder did everything that was asked of him, flicking James Anderson for six over midwicket in the fourth over and making 31 in all before holing out in the deep off Broad in the 13th over.
By then, New Zealand were almost halfway home.
Brendon McCullum, with 42 off as many balls, got the hosts to within 48 and the finishing touches were applied by Jamie How (28) and Taylor, with an unbeaten 24.
England did not bowl poorly, though Anderson lacked bite in five overs costing 35. Broad was always the most taxing, but was perhaps slightly flattered by his overall figures.
Collingwood's men must hope their Wellington aberration can be forgotten by the time they reach Hamilton for Tuesday's second match of five in the series.
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