McGrath took the first three wickets (Getty Images).

By Richard Gibson, PA Sport, Port Elizabeth

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Australia's bowlers ushered in a 14th consecutive one-day victory for the world champions after an outstanding turnaround against New Zealand on Tuesday.

Ricky Ponting's side were in crisis at 84 for seven but Andy Bichel's half-century and 56 from Michael Bevan ensured that the tail wagged before Brett Lee finished affairs with two big sixes.

Glenn McGrath subsequently struck three early blows to undermine the Kiwis' chase of 209 for victory at St George's Park and Lee returned at the end of innings to claim a five-wicket haul, including three in four balls, as the Aussies triumphed by 96 runs.

In between, Bichel and Ian Harvey weighed in with a wicket apiece as Australia strangled the life out of the New Zealand batting.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who won the toss, was the only batsman to dig in for any length of time but fell in the 25th over, gloving an attempted pull down the leg side to provide Lee with his first success.

Sheer pace from the charismatic Lee then accounted for Brendon McCullum, who was struck on the boot by a full delivery, and Jacob Oram and Andre Adams, both bowled.

He finished things with the first ball of the 31st over when Shane Bond popped up a return catch from a mistimed pull.

The rangy McGrath gave the Australians a perfect start to the innings by removing makeshift opener Daniel Vettori, Nathan Astle and Scott Styris.

Vettori and Astle both edged behind the wicket in his second over, the third of the innings, and Styris was trapped on the crease by a delivery that nipped back to gain a leg before decision from umpire Steve Bucknor.

Nevertheless, the Kiwis - knowing victory here would guarantee a semi-final berth - continued to attack.

Vettori had launched McGrath for a cross-batted four over mid-on in the first over and captain Stephen Fleming launched into wide deliveries from Brett Lee.

Their bravado was followed by Chris Cairns, at the crease at 33 for three, who upper-cut McGrath to the third man boundary twice in his first four deliveries and pulled the fast bowler onto the roof of the stand at mid-on at the Park Drive end.

However, throwing his powerful forearms once too often cost Cairns as an expansive slash at Bichel flew to Lee at third man.

That dismissal swung the initiative back to the Australians and New Zealand's nerves were apparent in the figure of Lou Vincent, who poked about for 14 balls before getting off the mark with an edge to third man.

Harvey, varying his pace to good effect, snared him in the 20th over when a frustrated drive found its way to Damien Martyn at a wide slip position.

Earlier, Bond's career-best display tore through Australia's top order after Fleming won the toss.

Bond, 27, only made his one-day international debut last January in Melbourne and has proved a constant menace to the Australians ever since.

He finished with six for 23, the joint-third best figures in this World Cup, as Australia, nudged to respectability by limited-overs expert Michael Bevan and the brute strength of Andy Bichel, finished on 208 for nine.