Aussies dismisses Kiwis for 183

29 March 2015 07:23 am

Australia has powered into Cricket World Cup final favouritism after dismissing New Zealand for 183 at the MCG.

James Faulkner (3 for 36) and Mitchell Johnson (3 for 30) led the way with able support from Mitchell Starc (2 for 20) to dismantle the Black Caps in Melbourne on Sunday.

Grant Elliott looked to repeat his semi-final heroics with a rapid 83, but the damage had already been done when Starc struck early to dismiss fiery opener Brendon McCullum for a duck.

Wickets fell quickly as Martin Guptill (15) and Kane Williamson (12) were dismissed cheaply, before Elliott and Ross Taylor (40) paired together for a 111-run partnership.

But Taylor fell to a wide, slower Faulkner delivery which found the top-edge through to the gloves of the diving, out-stretched Brad Haddin.

That wicket triggered a major collapse as Faulkner bowled the pinch hitter for a duck, before former Australian Luke Ronchi fell for zero with an edge to Michael Clarke in the slips off Starc's bowling.

Johnson farewlled departing Black Caps veteran Daniel Vettori, who could only inside-edge the left armer's yorker onto his leg stump.

Elliott fell to another caught-behind off Faulkner, before Matt Henry became the fourth duck of the innings, spearing the ball straight to Starc at point off Johnson's bowling.

The last wicket fell in ignominous fashion as Glenn Maxwell ran out Tim Southee (11) at the non-striker's end, with the batsman failing to get his bat back in time after being sent back.

Australia is aiming to win its fifth World Cup title, while New Zealand is looking to secure its first-ever world championship.