Cricket: Styris, Oram help Kiwis beat England

New Zealand drew first blood against England as they won the teams' ICC CWC Group C opener by six wickets here Friday.

Chasing 210 for victory, New Zealand finished on 210 for four with nine overs to spare after having recovered from 19 for three in five overs.

They were still in trouble at 72 for four before an unbeaten stand of 138 between all-rounders Scott Styris (87 not out) and Jacob Oram (63 not out) saw them home.

The teams - who beat each other twice during England's tri-series triumph in Australia completed last month - are favourites to qualify from a group also featuring Kenya and Canada.

Assuming both Test sides do go through, New Zealand will carry forward two points into the second phase, Super Eight stage.

England, whose modest total of 209 was achieved only after they were rescued from the depths of 138 for seven by an unbroken partnership of 71 between wicket-keeper Paul Nixon (42 not out off 41 balls) and Liam Plunkett (29 not out), made a sensational start in the field.