Australia produced an excellent turnaround today to defeat New Zealand and secure a 14th consecutive one-day victory for the world champions in their World Cup super six match in Port Elizabeth. Ricky Ponting's side were in crisis at 84 for seven this morning but Andy Bichel's half-century and 56 from Michael Bevan ensured that the tail wagged before Brett Lee finished affairs with two big sixes.
Glenn McGrath subsequently struck three early blows to undermine the Kiwis' chase of 209 for victory at St George's Park and Lee returned at the end of innings to claim a five-wicket haul, including three in four balls, as the Aussies triumphed by 96 runs.
In between, Bichel and Ian Harvey weighed in with a wicket apiece as Australia strangled the life out of the New Zealand batting. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who won the toss, was the only batsman to dig in for any length of time but fell in the 25th over, gloving an attempted pull down the leg side to provide Lee with his first success.
The win guaranteed Australia top spot in the Super Six table while New Zealand must now beat India to progress to the semi finals.
Filed by Johnny Proby
