SYDNEY, Feb 27: Alarming new statistics show Australia have second worst death bowlers in world cricket during past year. The 'most expensive' award officially goes to New Zealand.

The Courier-Mail unveiled statistics under headline: “Last overs are the death of us.”

They show which area needs most attention for Chappell-Hadlee series combatants as they depart on Wednesday for World Cup in the Caribbean.

In One-day International matches played since start of 2006, New Zealand bowlers conceded average of 6.68 runs per over in last 10 overs of innings.

Australia, who played 10 more One-day Internationals in that period, just avoided wooden spoon with economy rate of 6.64.

Unlikely winners were West Indies, who conceded 5.85 runs per over at the death, well clear of second-placed England (6.21) and India (6.25).

Clearly 300-plus runfests in second and third Chappell-Hadlee matches this month boosted New Zealand and Australia's numbers but there was still concern among world champions.

“It is matter of making sure we do all homework and do specific training for team we are about to play,” Australian coach John Buchanan said. “That is a major area for us to concentrate on. If you are getting belted around park all time you have lost confidence.”

In individual statistics, Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas rated the world's worst death bowler since start of 2006, conceding 8.05 runs per over while bowling in last 10.

Australia had three bowlers in worst six, with Stuart Clark second on 7.90, Nathan Bracken fifth on 7.08 and now-injured Brett Lee sixth on 7.07.

At other end of scale, New Zealand had two entries in top-10 leading death bowlers, and Australia none. Spinner Daniel Vettori was seventh with 5.92 runs per over and paceman Shane Bond 10th at 6.46.

Two spinners topped list, with Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan and Indian Harbhajan Singh both conceding 4.76 per over.—Agencies