Ponting, Bevan rescue Aussies

Batting at number three, ponting played in his normal aggressive style to score an unbeaten 60, while Bevan contributed a rapid 42 in a total of 142 for four in 38.5 overs.

At the half-way stage of the qualifying round, Australia lifted themselves within two points of competition leaders South Africa, who have six points from four games. New Zealand prop up the table with two points.

All-rounder Chris Cairns gave the visitors brief cause for optimism by capturing all four Australian wickets to fall in an oustanding display.

Australia’s victory chase would have been even more straight forward but for a defiant unbeaten 62 in 118 balls from New Zealand all-rounder Chris Harris, yet to be dismissed in four innings in the competition.

But his sides’ hopes were effectively dashed when they slumped to a dismal 45 for six in the 14th over. Fast bowler Paul Wilson took three wickets in a memorable debut in international cricket.

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand : M Horne c Gilchrist b Dale 3, N Astle c Gilchrist b Dale 20, C Cairns b Wilson 0, S Fleming c Bevan b Wilson 6, C McMillan c Harvey b Warne 9, R Twose run out 0, A Parore c Gilchrist b Wilson 5, C Harris not out 62, D Vettori c Warne b Bevan 14, G Larsen c S Waugh b Bevan 0, S O’Connor run out 8; Extras (w5, nb5, lb4) 14. Total (all out in 49.3 overs) 141

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-9, 3-19, 4-45, 5-45, 6-45, 7-75, 8-108, 9-108Bowling: Dale 10-2-22-2 (w2, nb1); Wilson 10-0-39-3 (nb4); Warne 10-2-25-1, Bichel 9-0-17-0 (w1); Bevan 10-0-26-2 (w2); Harvey 0.3-0-8-0

Australia: M di Venuto c Astle b Cairns 7, M Waugh c Parore b Cairns 9, R Ponting not out 60, S Waugh c Parore b Cairns 0, M Bevan c Astle b Carins 42, A Gilchrist not out 11, Extras: (lb4, w8, nb1) 13. Total (for 4 wkts in 38.5 overs) 142

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-22, 3-22, 4-117.

Bowling: O’Connor 10-0-43-0, Cairns 10-3-40-4, Vettori 9-1-32-0, Harris 9.5-1-23-0

Result: Australia won by six wickets