Michael Bevan produced another of his rescue acts and Andy Bichel starred with bat and ball as Australia set a world record with a dramatic two wicket victory over England at St George's Park.

An unbroken ninth wicket stand of 73 between Bevan (74 not out) and Bichel (34 not out) enabled Australia to register a world record 12th successive one-day international win pulling it clear of the West Indies which notched 11 consecutive victories in 1984-85.

Set a seemingly modest target of 205, Australia was reeling at 4-48 in the ninth over after a sizzling five over burst from Andy Caddick, and also looked beaten at 7-114 and 8-135.

However Bichel, who earlier in the day took 7-20, the third best bowling figures in international limited overs cricket history, combined with Bevan to preserve Australia's unbeaten record in the tournament.

Bevan, who scored a scratchy 17 off 42 balls in his first innings of the tournament against Namibia last Thursday, added another chapter to his book of perfectly paced run chases.

But it was Bichel who tilted the match in Australia's favour in the penultimate over.

With Australia requiring 14 off the last two overs, the Queenslander smashed James Anderson over midwicket for six and thrashed a four into the same area the next ball to leave Australia needing just three off nine deliveries.

Bichel pinched a single with eight balls to go and Australia needed two off the final over from Andy Flintoff.

No runs were scored off the first two balls of the last over, but a Michael Vaughan misfield at mid on allowed Bichel a single and Bevan smashed the next delivery to the offside boundary.

On a wicket giving offering some assistance to the seamers, England's Andy Caddick bowled his side back into contention with a sizzling first spell.

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