Australia overpower NZ

NAGPUR, India, Feb 25 (AFP): Reigning champions Australia overpowered New Zealand by seven wickets for a 25th straight World Cup victory in a dominant display at the VCA Ground here Friday. Australia's fast bowlers, with Mitchell Johnson taking four wickets, led the way as New Zealand were bowled out for just 206 with nearly five overs of their innings left. Left-armer Johnson finished with four for 33 and Shaun Tait three for 35. That New Zealand even had the remotest chance was down to a battling fifty from Nathan McCullum and skipper Daniel Vettori's 44 with the duo combining well in an eighth-wicket stand of 54. The Black Caps had earlier been in dire straits after their top order collapsed to 73 for six against the quicks from 66 for two. Australia finished on 207 for three with a mammoth 16 overs to spare with Michael Clarke (24) and Cameron White (22) the not out batsmen as Australia also won the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Australia openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were rarely troubled during a century first-wicket stand. However, Watson, on 10, did successfully challenge an lbw appeal from seamer Tim Southee, originally upheld by Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena, after replays showed the ball would have missed leg-stump. Haddin, a fluent strokemaker, brought up his fifty in 39 balls with eight fours while Watson went to the landmark in 52 balls including a six off a Nathan McCullum off-break. New Zealand's day appeared to be summed up when substitute Kane Williamson, at deep mid-wicket, dropped Watson on 59 off left-arm spinner Vettori.