Starc fifer gives Australia commanding victory against the Kiwis

Mitchell Starc bagged a fifer to help Australia register a commanding 86-run victory against New Zealand at Lord's in London today.

Trent Boult's hat-trick proved in vain for New Zealand as Australia beat their Oceania rivals by 86 runs in Saturday's group match of the Cricket World Cup at Lord's to remain top of the points table.

Boult finished with 4-51 but Usman Khawaja (88) and Alex Carey (71) forged a century-plus stand to help Australia post a competitive 243-9.

Chasing 244 for victory, New Zealand were all out for 157 in the 44th over, with skipper Kane Williamson top scoring for them with 40.

Mitchell Starc (5-26) was the pick of the Australian bowlers in a one-sided rematch of the 2015 World Cup final. (Reuters, London)

Boult hattrick restricts Australia to 243 for nine

New Zealand quick Trent Boult bagged a hattrick in the last over to restrict Australia to 243 for nine at Lord's today. He also became the second player to bag a hattrick in this edition of World Cup after India's Mohammad Shami.

Left-arm quick Boult became the first New Zealand bowler to have bagged a hattrick in World Cup when he trapped Behrendorff in front with a full length delivery. It was reviewed by Australia after it was given out by the onfield umpire. The review showed there were no bat involved and that it also pitched in line. The decision stayed as Boult got his hat-trick. Before that, Boult bowled Khawaja on 88 with a fuller length delivery followed by a brilliant yorker that rattled Mitchell Starc's stumps.    

Carey departs after 107-run stand with Khawaja

Alex Carey departed on 71 off 72 balls after he strung a 107-run stand for the sixth wicket with Usman Khawaja in their game against New Zealand at Lord's today.

New Zealand got a brilliant start as Trent Boult scalped the wicket of Martin Guptill while Lockie Ferguson took the wickets of David Warner and Steven Smith early in the innings. After that James Neesham removed Stonis and Maxwell in the 20th and 22nd over respectively to put Australia in a spot of bother. However, after that a brilliant partnership between Khawaja and Carey steadied the ship. Australia are now batting on 202 for the loss of six wickets after 44 overs. 

Boult, Ferguson breakthroughs leave Australia struggling

After New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult got Australia skipper Aaron Finch trapped in front on eight in the 5th over, Lockie Ferguson compunded Australia's trouble by taking the wickets of David Warner and Steven Smith for just 16 and five respectively and put Australia in a spot of bother early in their game at Lord's today.

Ferguson had Warner edged one to keeper before dismissing Smith, courtesy of a spectacular catch by Martin Guptill at leg gully. The ball was coming at a high speed and it was not even right at the fielder as he had to dive to his left and take a stunner. Australia are now desperately in need of a partnership. Australia are now batting at 73 for three in 18 overs.    

Australia opt to bat against the Kiwis

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand at Lords's in London today.

Australia go into the match today with an unchanged squad even though Aaron Finch's side have already made it through to the semifinal.   

"Hopefully later on slow up a little, and take a bit of spin. I think it's a difficult wicket from the previous one. No changes, everyone who contributed to the win has done really well. Everyone has played at some point, so it's going well." said Finch at the toss.

Meanwhile there are two changes in the New Zealand side, who will be the second team to make it to the semifinal if they get a win today.

"We would have batted too. Two changes - Ish Sodhi comes in for Matt Henry, and also Henry Nicholls comes in for Colin Munro." said New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson.

Palying XIs:

Australia: Finch (c), Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, Carey (wk), Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Behrendorff

New Zealand: Guptill. Nicholls, Williamson (c), Taylor, Latham (wk), Neesham, de Grandhomme, Santner, Sodhi, Ferguson, Boult