London,June 1:Opener Martin Guptill led New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over England in their opening one-day international with an unbeaten century on Friday.
Guptill hit eight fours and four sixes in his 123-ball innings of 103 not out. His last boundary won the match at Lord's against an insipid England team that could only manage 227 in its 50 overs as the three-match series got underway.
Chasing the modest total, the New Zealanders found themselves 1-2 after James Anderson dismissed opener Luke Ronchi and Kane Wlliamson for ducks. Ronchi, who has switched his allegiance after playing in the past for Australia, lasted just two balls.
But Ross Taylor and Guptill breathed life back into the innings with a comfortable 119-run partnership. Taylor hit nine fours on his way to 54 before he edged to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, giving Anderson his third wicket.
Anderson (3-31) and spinner Graeme Swann (1-33) bowled tidily, but Jade Dernbach, Chris Woakes and Tim Bresnan were all either wasteful or unthreatening on an easy-paced wicket.
Looking for revenge after being outplayed in a two-match Test series, New Zealand won the toss and put England in to bat.
Alastair Cook and Ian Bell took the score to 45 before both fell caught behind off the accurate bowling of Tim Southee, who finished with 3-37.
No English batsman made it out of the 30s. Jonathan Trott managed 37 in 53 balls and Chris Woakes 36, while Cook and Joe Root each scored 30.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum's smart field placings strangled England, forcing batsmen to try over-ambitious shots and setting the tourists up for a victory.
