By Oliver Brett

Twenty20 International, Perth: Australia 186-6 beat New Zealand 132 by 54 runs

Michael Clarke was given an easy ride in his first match as captain

A muscular Andrew Symonds knock and some searing pace bowling helped Australia to a 54-run victory over New Zealand in a Twenty20 international.

Symonds clubbed 85 not out off just 46 balls as Australia hit 186-6 in the day-nighter at a sell-out Waca.

And with the Perth wicket showing its pace of old, Australia's quick men reduced the Kiwis to 31-5.

Jacob Oram hit six sixes in his 66 off 31 balls but Michael Clarke's side were already well on their way to victory.

New Zealand's chase got off to a disastrous start when Lou Vincent top-edged the first ball, from Brett Lee, to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson all justified their selection by bowling with great pace and no little accuracy, and New Zealand never remotely threatened.

Ashley Noffke, finally winning an international cap at the age of 30, took a wicket in his first over by making a mess of Daniel Vettori's stumps as the opposing skipper moved across his stumps to try to carve a boundary through the on-side.

That made it 59-7 and an embarrassingly huge defeat loomed for New Zealand.

I don't think I locked my car and my brother had to drop my stuff off Luke Pomersbach

But Oram, who treated Symonds with complete disdain, made the scorecard less painful.

Noffke finally ended the match by bowling Jeetan Patel in the 19th over, with the Kiwis all out for 132.

Australia, captained by Clarke in the absence of Ricky Ponting for this match, had picked five specialist seamers - Nathan Bracken completing their line-up - and were always in command after posting such a big total.

There was drama before play began when Western Australia star Luke Pomersbach was rapidly drafted into the side at short notice following a late injury to Brad Hodge.

He delighted his home fans with a huge six and a slightly streaky boundary in a partnership with Symonds, who had hit most of his runs in tandem with Clarke (33), Michael Hussey (22) and Adam Voges (26).

606: DEBATE That was pretty scary stuff from Tait. He was almost unplayable. Hope the Indians know how to duck! slaterslovechild

Voges and Tait - who took two wickets in a dream first over following a long spell battling injuries - were also playing their first Twenty20 internationals.

There were few crumbs of comfort for New Zealand, though Vettori bowled tidily, and Oram will feel his batting is in good nick.

Australia's surprise debutant Luke Pomersbach: "I don't think I locked my car and my brother had to drop my stuff off.