Kane Williamson takes a run during Australia-NZ match on June 2, 2017/AFP

BIRMINGHAM: Kane Williamson`s half-ton fifty has put the Kiwis in command over Aussies at Edgbaston on Thursday in their Champions Trophy opener. 

New Zealand resumed batting at 67-1 after rain cleared in their match against the trans-Tasmanian rivals. 

The match has been reduced to 46 overs a side, after rain interrupted the Black Caps' brisk start against the Aussies. 

Martin Guptill's sure-footed innings was ended by Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood at 26, after New Zealand earlier won the toss and elected to bat first.

Josh Hazlewood celebrates Martin Guptill's wicket/AFP

Luke Ronchi played a fiery inning of 65 runs off 43 balls. Mitchell Starc dropped his catch when he was on 54.

 In the past six months alone, the two countries have played two Chappell-Hadlee series: Australia won in Australia and New Zealand won in New Zealand. Last time they met at Edgbaston was in Champions Trophy 2013, in a match that was washed out.

Australia and New Zealand have clashed in four (completed) Champions Trophy matches, all of which have been won by two-time champions Australia.

New Zealand beat Australia in a thrilling pool match in Auckland at the 2015 World Cup only to lose to their trans-Tasman rivals in the final in Melbourne.

Australia not playing ?big four'

Steve Smith/Getty Images

Skipper Steve Smith decided not to field all their ?big four? of fast bowlers in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.

John Hastings -- who has plenty of English county experience -- was chosen over paceman James Pattinson.

"I don´t think we´ll end up going with the four big quicks," Australia captain Smith had told reporters at Edgbaston on Thursday.

"He´s [Hastings] a little bit slower than the others and hits the seam and has some good skills throughout the middle as well."

Left-arm fast bowler Starc, arguably the world´s leading ´yorker´ bowler, has recovered from a foot injury that cut short his tour of India.

Australia boast one of the most powerful top orders in ODI cricket, with captain Smith and opener David Warner outstanding batsmen in all formats.

?Cut-throat?

Kane Williamson/AFP

Friday´s encounter at Edgbaston ground features several survivors, with New Zealand captain Kane Williamson the star turn in a top order that also includes Martin Guptill.

Blackcaps pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult are proven performers in England, but Southee said ahead of the tournament: "We know the conditions, but you can´t rely on that."

New Zealand beat Australia 2-0 in a home ODI series earlier this year and Williamson said Thursday: "We have played each other a lot, and we are fairly familiar with each other but teams are always trying to do (things) slightly different.

"For us it´s trying to attack it as best we can. You come into these one-off clashes, they are very different, perhaps just being involved in a series."

Squads

Australia

New Zealand 

With additional input from AFP