GUWAHATI (India), Nov 9: An understrength Australia proved too strong for New Zealand in a 44-run victory in their one-day tri-series match on Sunday.

One-day specialist Michael Bevan top-scored with 84 not out while captain Ricky Ponting made 52 as the world champions, who had rested regular openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, made 225 for seven after being put in.

New Zealand’s top-order then caved in before the side were dismissed for 181 on a flat pitch with 4.3 overs to spare.

Australia’s sixth straight win over their trans-Tasman rivals had looked unlikely after their modest batting effort, but fast bowler Nathan Bracken (three for 34) once again struck early as New Zealand were reduced to 88 for five.

In-form Scott Styris, batting at four, top-scored with 54 following his Man-of-the-Match effort in Thursday’s victory over India, but New Zealand were always up against it in the final overs before a couple of runouts settled the match.

The Kiwis’ hopes of reaching the Nov 18 final against Australia now depend on their beating India in the final group game on Saturday.

Australia play the hosts in their final game on Wednesday.

Having been put in, Australia were anchored by the left-handed Bevan, who struck seven fours in a busy 96-ball effort after Ponting had scored his first half-century of the series.

Bevan, 33, put on 78 for the fifth wicket with Ponting after fast bowlers Daryl Tuffey and Kyle Mills both struck twice to reduce the world champions to 61 for four in the 13th over.

Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori then picked up two wickets in mid-innings.

He claimed his 100th wicket in one-day internationals when he had Ponting caught at long-off and finished with figures of two for 20 from his 10 overs.

However, Bracken, the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with a tally of 13, removed opener Chris Nevin (2) and Lou Vincent (12) with clever pace variation before Ian Harvey deceived Fleming with a slower ball to have him caught and bowled for 29.

Styris, who hit his second consecutive fifty, was dropped on 52 by Bevan on the long-on boundary off Brad Hogg, but the left-arm spinner removed the batsman later in the over.

Craig McMillan was adjudged caught down the legside for no score and one-day all-rounder Chris Harris struck 38 before becoming the first of the two runouts.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA: