Guwahati, Nov 09: New Zealand dominated with the ball as world champions Australia stuttered to a modest 225 for seven, built around a solid unbeaten 82 by Michael Bevan, in the cricket tri-series match here today. In what was a crucial match for the Kiwis, eyeing to pip India for a berth in the final against Australia, New Zealand seamers Daryl Tuffey and Kyle Mills struck early blows to have Australia on the mat at 61 for four after Stephen Fleming made the right call at the toss and elected to field.

But saving the champion side from further trouble was the duo of Bevan and Ricky Ponting (52) who stitched an invaluable 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket on a pitch which offered a fair amount of help to the seamers initially as it has been the trend in all the day matches played so far in the tri-series.

However, some disciplined bowling and neat fielding did not allow the Australians, who rested their key openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist for what is effect was an inconsequential match for them, to consolidate and post a bigger total.

Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori extracted some turn from the wicket and got rid of Ponting and Clarke within a space of two runs at a crucial stage to reduce the Aussies to 141 for six in the 34th over. He returned the most impressive figures of 2 for 20 off his ten overs. Bureau Report