Cricket World Cup favourites Australia have been rolled for an embarrassing 151 in 32.2 overs during their clash with New Zealand in Auckland.

Monster totals may have been everyone’s pre-match prediction for Saturday, given the unique dimensions of Eden Park with its short straight boundaries.

Instead, it was a monstrous collapse that underlined the visitors’ innings, as they slipped from 1-80 to 9-106 in nine overs.

Michael Clarke, playing his first competitive match since tearing his right hamstring more than two months ago, tried to rescue Australia.

But captain Clarke offered up a knock of only 12 before departing when he smashed a ball to Kane Williamson at caching cover.

Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Johnson were also dismissed trying to hit their way out of trouble amid the shocking slump.

Brad Haddin and Pat Cummins ensured it was at least not a record-breaking low for Australian cricket, putting on 45 for the final wicket.

The effort of Haddin, who top-scored with 43, meant Australia’s total of 129 against India in 1983 remains their lowest score at a World Cup.

Trent Boult was chief destroyer – claiming five wickets in three unbelievable overs that cost one run.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was aggressive with his bowling changes and field placements, while his side fielded well and bowled magnificently.

It put the Blackcaps in the box seat for a win that will go a long way to locking up top spot in Pool A, but also burden Australia with mental baggage should there be a trans-Tasman tussle in the finals.

It didn’t look that way when the opening over went for 15 runs, starting with a nervous wide from Tim Southee.

Aaron Finch fell in Southee’s next over, but David Warner continued to attack anything wide, short or full.

Australia raced to 50 in just the sixth over, with only Finch back in the sheds.

McCullum then threw the ball to veteran tweaker Daniel Vettori and it proved to be a masterstroke.

Vettori and Boult dried up the runs, building the pressure that resulted in Shane Watson picking out Southee on the rope with a pull shot.

Chaos ensued.

Warner challenged his lbw dismissal the following over, but Hawk-Eye deemed it to be the “umpire’s call”.

Steve Smith was caught behind after making four when he prodded forward to Vettori before Boult breezed through the middle order with minimal fuss and marvellous swing at over 140km/h.

Maxwell and Marsh chopped balls from Boult onto their stumps in the 18th over, while Williamson claimed catches to dismiss Clarke and Johnson.

Mitchell Starc was undone by arguably Boult’s best delivery, which held its line to clatter into middle stump.