Retro hairstyles enchant the fans

<preform>Australia 214-5; New Zealand 170</br> Australia win by 44 runs</preform>

Ricky Ponting led by example as Australia trounced New Zealand to win the first-ever Twenty20 international here yesterday.

Ricky Ponting led by example as Australia trounced New Zealand to win the first-ever Twenty20 international here yesterday.

Ponting smashed an unbeaten 98 off 55 balls, including five sixes and eight fours, as he took his side to 214 for 5 off their 20 overs. Although Scott Styris hit 66 in response, New Zealand could only reach 170 all out in their 20 overs.

There were a few hair-raising moments at Eden Park, not least the Afro haircut sported by the New Zealand batsman Hamish Marshall. Marshall's hair-do and some of the facial hair grown by his Black Caps team-mates, along with their retro 1980s beige kit, added further glamour for the 29,000 fans that packed the stadium.

The match delivered much big-hitting, entertaining cricket. Ponting led the Australian charge with the bat, and Michael Kasprowicz then did the damage with the ball, taking 4 for 29 in his four overs. Kasprowicz took the prized wickets of the captain, Stephen Fleming, who hit 18, and Mathew Sinclair with his first two balls. He also saw off Brendon McCullum, for 36, and Chris Cairns, for one, to leave New Zealand on 95 for 5. Styris fought back with his half-century before being bowled by the pace of Brett Lee.

Earlier, Ponting, the Australia captain, shared in two valuable stands, one worth 83 with Simon Katich (30) for the fifth wicket, and the other an unbroken 77 with Mike Hussey (31 not out).

Kyle Mills was the pick of the home bowlers, conceding 44 runs for his three wickets. But the most economical was Chris Cairns with 1 for 28. Jeff Wilson, the former All Black, took some punishment, conceding 43 from four overs.