New Zealand made a steady start against the Queensland Academy of Sport team in the first match of their Australian tour at Allan Border Field today.

At lunch on the first day of the four-day match, the Black Caps were 3-78, with captain Stephen Fleming on five and Nathan Astle yet to score.

Opener Mark Richardson top-scored with 40, while Matthew Bell made eight and Mathew Sinclair 17 in excellent batting conditions.

Bell was the first batsman out when he was trapped LBW failing to offer a shot to much-hyped teenage quick Mitchell Johnson (1-24).

Sinclair was bowled by emerging quick Damien Mackenzie (1-12) while Richardson, who looked sharp at the crease, fell to a catch behind off off-spinner Scott O'Leary (1-5).

Richardson brought about his own downfall with an ill-judged drive at O'Leary's first ball, providing wicketkeeper Chris Hartley with a juggled catch.

The Black Caps arranged the four-day match in Brisbane after their Test tour to Pakistan was cancelled because of the terrorist strikes in the United States.

The visitors named their regular Test batting line-up along with frontline bowlers Dion Nash and Daniel Vettori.

© 2001 AAP