England's Ashes stars struggle in ODI loss to NZ

Harry Brook has hit 11 sixes in an extraordinary captain's knock of 135, outshining other England Ashes stars in a four wicket loss to New Zealand in the first one-day cricket international.

Brook, who came to the crease on Sunday with England 2-4 in the second over, survived more disarray as the tourists slipped to 6-56, then batted through to be the last man out in England's innings of 223 from 35.2 overs.

New Zealand reached 6-224 with 80 balls remaining.

Among other players potentially bound for the Ashes series which starts in Perth in less than a month, Ben Duckett (2), Joe Root (2), Jacob Bethell (2), Jos Buttler (4) and Sam Curran (6) failed.

New Zealand lost Kane Williamson for a golden duck in his first international match in seven months and slipped to 3-24 before Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell shared a 92-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Bracewell made 51 after being dropped by Root at slip on two, and Mitchell steered New Zealand home, finishing 78 not out after being dropped on 33.

Mitchell's father John coached the England team to victory in the Women's Rugby World Cup in England last month.

Brook shone for the imperious nature of his innings in a losing cause.

Matt Henry and Zak Foulkes had shared six wickets as they wrecked the England top order after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner made a hesitant decision to bat after winning the toss.

Brook contributed more than 60 percent of England's total, posted his second ODI century and highest score in the format, passed 1,000 ODI runs during his innings and at its end his batting average in New Zealand across all three formats was 76.

He put on 87 for the seventh wicket with Jamie Overton, who posted his highest ODI score of 46 and 57 for the last wicket with Luke Wood (5).

Apart from Brook and Overton, the England scoreboard read 0, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 0, 4 and 5.

"I felt like I was in good touch," Brook said. "Obviously, we didn't get off to a great start and I tried to take it on myself to have a counterpunch and fortunately it came off today."

Santner paused after winning the toss but was soon reassured his decision to bowl was the right one.

Foulkes, bowling for the first time in a one day international, had Duckett superbly caught by wicketkeeper Tom Latham with the third ball of the second over and bowled Root three balls later.

England was 3-5 and went on to lose five wickets in the first 10-over power play for only the second time in an ODI away from home.

Foulkes bowled Bethell and England were 4-10. Buttler was caught by Latham off Henry at 5-33.

The second match of the series will be played at Hamilton on Wednesday.