Aussie bowlers not good at the death: Ponting

Skipper Ricky Ponting says that their bowling at the death was something they needed to fix before going for a hat-trick of World Cup titles.

All those who thought Australia had perfected the art of winning, may well give it a rethink.

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Skipper Ricky Ponting says that their bowling at the death was something they needed to fix before going for a hat-trick of World Cup titles.

"Our bowlers got put under some intense pressure and we didn't cope," Ponting said after barely managing to defend their huge total of 343 against New Zealand on Sunday in Adelaide.

"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," he said.

Kiwi all-rounder Jacob Oram took six sixes off the Aussie attack, four coming off pace bowlers, to take New Zealand to within eight runs of victory.

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