A seamer's paradise in the unlikeliest of places may have helped Brad Williams secure a spot in the Australian cricket team for longer than it takes his injured colleagues to recover.

Williams took a career-best 4-22 to help rout New Zealand for 97 in Wednesday's tri-series match in Faridabad in a performance that underlined his potential as an opening bowler who can swing the ball sharply.

Williams and Nathan Bracken (3-25) set up an eight-wicket win with 10 overs of almost unplayable swing in a dramatic shot in the arm for Australia's bowling stocks.

And in more good news, Michael Kasprowicz has shown encouraging signs he has almost overcome a strained gluteal muscle and will remain on tour.

Kasprowicz strained the muscle, in his left buttock, during batting practice on Sunday, but has improved every day since to the point he is a chance of making his comeback later this tour.

Such were the efforts of Williams and Bracken in Faridabad, captain Ricky Ponting said the pair had the ability to hold their places even when Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee returned from injury.

"If they keep performing the way they are then there's no reason why they can't," Ponting said.

"We don't really know what's going to happen back in Australia with the injuries that we've got, and all these guys can do is keep performing game in, game out and hopefully get us into a final over here in India.

"These guys have been on the fringe ... for the last couple of years and just haven't got much of an opportunity.

"But when they have got their opportunity they've always done a good job, they've never let anybody down, they've done themselves and the team proud."

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