Australia has identified the cheap dismissal of New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as the key to breaking the spirit of the Black Caps in the Champions Trophy semi-final.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says left-armer Nathan Bracken may be recalled to a new-ball role ahead of Glenn McGrath because of the match-up against left-hander Fleming.

Fleming has made 89, 0 and 80, winning two Champions Trophy man-of-the-match awards to pilot his side to second place in Group B and a clash with trans-Tasman rival Australia, which topped Group A.

Ponting said he had promoted McGrath back to opening the bowling in Sunday's Group-A match against India because he felt the bouncy Mohali pitch would suit McGrath and also that the 36-year-old paceman had a good record against India's Sachin Tendulkar.

McGrath took 2-34 in an excellent performance, including the wicket of Tendulkar for 10 but it may not be enough to hold the new-ball position.

"I know going into this game that Bracken has got a very good record against Fleming and has looked very dangerous against Fleming every time he has bowled at him," Ponting said.

"That could be the case that Bracken could open the bowling in this game.

"Brett (Lee) has got him out a lot lately, I think the last time we were here Bracken bowled very well to him in the TVS Cup tournament and we obviously identify him (Fleming) with the way he has played in the first few games as being probably their main batting strength.

"We will go all out to try and knock him over early on and whichever way, whether it's Glenn, or Bracken or Lee, then I'm sure they will get the job done for us." Australia has beaten New Zealand in 15 of the past 17 clashes between the two sides.

However, Ponting says the Black Caps lift for matches against Australia and will fight hard to post a competitive total.

"They do bat pretty low with (spinner Daniel) Vettori probably at nine and Kyle Mills bats alright at 10," Ponting said.

"Going back a few years ago in Australia, we had them four or five or six wickets down early on in most games and they managed to scratch their way through to a total of around 200 and then give it a good shake of defending it."

The semi-final starts at 2.30pm local time (8pm AEDT) at the Punjab Cricket Association ground in Mohali.

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