McGrath bowled tightly but conceded a late six

After narrowly beating New Zealand, he said: "Our bowlers got put under some intense pressure and we didn't cope.

"Our death bowling is one thing we have to fix up before the finals. For a couple of years we haven't been that good at nailing the last 10 overs.

"If we're going to win a World Cup we're going to have to make it better."

Kiwi all-rounder Jacob Oram took six sixes off the Aussie attack, four coming off pace bowlers.

Veteran Glenn McGrath bowled some tight deliveries late on, but still allowed at least one boundary an over, including a six from Brendon McCullum over midwicket.

"I always felt we had our noses in front but Jacob hit the ball extremely well and another couple of boundaries and it would have been game over."

Even off the last three balls, needing three sixes there was still that belief Jacob Oram

Ponting was impressed, though, by the performance of Matthew Hayden, who appeared to secure a World Cup place with his first century - and third score of more than 50 - in two years.

"He started off the series in good form but got starts and got out," which you can't afford to do, said Ponting who shared a stand of 200 with the left-hander.

"He was left off a couple of times early but once he got in he looked very good so that should be a confidence boost for him."

Oram described his maiden ODI century as his best innings ever and said New Zealand were well set ahead of Tuesday's must-win match against England on the same ground.

"Even off the last three balls, needing three sixes there was still that belief. It was touching distance," he said.

"The fact we've already played on it and know how to play on it will hold us in good stead.