Williams took a career-best 4-22

Second-string pace bowlers Brad Williams and Nathan Bracken starred as Australia thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets in Faridabad.

New Zealand slumped to 97, their fifth lowest one-day total, after captain Stephen Fleming decided to bat first.

And Australia needed just 16.4 overs as they raced to their victory target for the loss of just two wickets.

Despite Sunday's loss against India, Australia are now a single point behind the hosts in the group table.

Williams and Bracken both took advantage of conditions that favoured swing bowling, especially early on.

Filling in for the injured Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz, the duo had played just 20 games for Australia between them.

It was a very good toss to lose; I was actually going to bat - we might have lost Ricky Ponting Australia captain

But they made up for their lack of experience with fine control as Williams captured a career-best 4-22 and Bracken 3-25.

New Zealand were reduced to 21-5 in the ninth over before Craig McMillan (24) and Chris Harris compiled a 52-run sixth-wicket stand.

Seamer Ian Harvey then trapped left-hander Harris lbw to make it 73-6 and went on to claim 2-9, with Andy Bichel taking the other wicket.

TVS CUP TABLE India P2 W1 L0 NR1 8 Pts Australia P2 W1 L1 NR0 7 Pts N Zealand P2 W0 L1 NR1 3 Pts

Only three batsmen reached double figures as the Kiwis' innings ended in 33.4 overs.

Adam Gilchrist hammered five fours and a six off 18 balls before he was caught and bowled by Jacob Oram for 29.

Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting had put on 43 to take Australia to the brink of victory when Ponting was caught behind off Daryl Tuffey for 12.

But Hayden finished unbeaten on 51 and Damien Martyn was two not out as the world champions wrapped up their fourth straight win over New Zealand.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Nathan Bracken, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds and Brad Williams.

New Zealand:Stephen Fleming (captain), Chris Harris, Paul Hitchcock, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Chris Nevin.

Umpires: David Shepherd (England) and S Venkataraghvan (India).