Australia gained emphatic revenge for their Chappell-Hadlee Series whitewash with a 215-run win over the BLACKCAPS in Grenada.
The world champions produced their best display of the ICC World Cup to complete the Super Eight Series undefeated.
Matthew Hayden scored his third century of the tournament as Australia produced 349 for six, batting first after winning the toss.
The veteran opener was supported by Shane Watson's unbeaten 65 from only 32 balls and Ricky Ponting (66), capitalising on the absence of Shane Bond and Jacob Oram.
The Australian attack was also on form as they limited the BLACKCAPS to 133, dismissing them in the 26th over.
Brad Hogg (four for 29) and Shaun Tait (three for 23) led the figures, with Glenn McGrath’s two for 25 boosted his position as the tournament’s leading wicket taker.
Peter Fulton’s 62 provided the cornerstone of the New Zealanders’ reply, but only Scott Styris (27) could maintain any time at the crease alongside the opener.
The result confirms that the BLACKCAPS will meet Sri Lanka in the semi-finals at Sabina Park, Kingston on 25 April (NZ time).
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