New Zealand endured misery in the first game of their Twenty20 tri-series with Australia and England, but Ross Taylor was able to raise a smile in the post-match news conference.

The Black Caps were limited to a paltry total of 117-9 at the Sydney Cricket Ground as Billy Stanlake (3-15) and Andrew Tye (4-23) excelled, before Australia raced to a rain-revised target of 95 with seven wickets in hand.

Tall seamer Stanlake produced a magic ball to dismiss Martin Guptill for a golden duck, hitting the top of the batsman's off stump to claim his second wicket in as many balls.

Asked for his team-mate's reaction to the delivery, a laughing Taylor indicated Guptill's comments were not suitable for a family audience.

"I can't really tell you what he really said," Taylor stated.

"It was a very good ball. I'd like to tell you, but I can't."

Australia face England in the series' next two contests, on Wednesday and Sunday, before Eoin Morgan's side meet the Black Caps in Wellington on February 13.