Smith happy with bowler fightback

There were few positives for skipper Steve Smith to grasp at after Australia began their Qantas tour of New Zealand tour with a shocking loss in the first ODI.

But a fight-back with the ball was one.

The Black Caps were on track to post a huge total after openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill took their total to 79 in just 11 overs.

Watch: Guptill hits one onto Eden Park roof

Despite this, Smith was happy with how his bowlers restricted the Kiwis to their eventual total of 8-307 at Eden Park on Wednesday.

"I didn't think we bowled too bad at the start. They played some pretty good shots and got away with a few," Smith said.

"New Zealand started very well with the bat ... we pulled it back quite nicely taking wickets through the middle.

Watch: Maxwell's runs Guptill out with a direct hit

"I was pleased with the way we were able to pull it back.

"Restricting them to just over 300 ... I thought that was about par."

Fast-bowlers Josh Hazlewood (2-68), Kane Richardson (0-64) and John Hastings (1-39) were the victims of the early onslaught.

The trio managed to contain the New Zealand batsman through the middle overs, led by Hastings, who went at under four runs per over.

Watch: Faulkner's freakish return catch

Australia’s bowling depth has been sorely tested this summer, with Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile all unavailable for selection for the ODI series because of injuries.

"It'd be great to have all the guys available who bowl 150km/h but injuries happen in this sport," Smith said.

"The bowlers that have been playing have done a terrific job this summer, 4-1 (in the ODI series) against a very good Indian side.

"It's a big learning curve for a lot of the younger guys.

"They're quite inexperienced and coming up against ... Guptill and McCullum when they're up and going is very tough.

"We're going to have to find ways to be successful against them. I think it's a great learning curve for our bowlers."