Cricket: Australian team won't slip up again, says coach

4.00pm

PORT ELIZABETH - World Cup cricket coach John Buchanan expects Australia to prove tonight that they learn from their mistakes and can perform in any conditions.

The unbeaten world champions' pace attack will not be helped by a slow St George's Park wicket against New Zealand but Buchanan said they would have to adjust for the Super Six encounter.

"It is important for our key bowlers, whether they be Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath or Andy Bichel, to adapt," he told reporters on Monday.

"I think we have the capacity to bowl well in any conditions...and the same applies to the batsmen."

When Australia played England at the same venue in the first phase of the tournament their fast bowlers, apart from Bichel, struggled while the top-order batsmen threw their wickets away to a succession of poor shots.

Australia edged home by two wickets thanks to Bichel's seven for 20 and 34 not out and an unbeaten 74 from Michael Bevan.

Buchanan said he did not expect a repeat of those errors.

"They have had one game since our last match here and the top order played outstandingly against Sri Lanka, although the wicket was quicker than here," he said.

"The batsmen have thought about their game and the type of wicket they are going to play on."

Buchanan said the pitch seemed to have a bit more moisture than at the same stage before the England match but added: "We can't do anything about it, it's a slower wicket, a bit up and down and I think most teams would prefer to play us here.

"That's fine, we have to deal with that and if we play reasonably well in this match we are back here for a semifinal so we also have to learn from our experiences."

Australia have retained the same 11 that thrashed Sri Lanka by 96 runs on Friday to give them seven wins out of seven.

Allrounder Andrew Symonds will miss his second game in succession as he continues his recovery from a groin injury, with Ian Harvey set to continue in his place.

The eve of the match saw Australia adopt their now-traditional optional net session and just three players - spinners Brad Hogg and Nathan Hauritz and left-arm pace bowler Nathan Bracken - took up the option.

"I wouldn't call this a low-key build up," Buchanan said. "We had a good session yesterday (Sunday) and we have put a fair bit of thought into the New Zealand team, their make-up and how they will go about playing us.

"This is a good opportunity for blokes to get away then come back ready to go for the game."

- REUTERS

Teams:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath. Jimmy Maher 12th man.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Daniel Vettori, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Andre Adams, Shane Bond.

World Cup schedule

Points table