Glenn McGrath took three crucial wickets before Brett Lee's barrage of 5-3 in 15 balls crushed New Zealand in their World Cup match at St George's Park.

Australia has dominated trans-Tasman battles over the years - except at the World Cup. The Kiwis were heading for their third shock win in four starts until McGrath, seaming the ball around, swinging the momentum, netted 3-29 from his opening six overs.

Lee let rip at the end.

Chasing 9-208, NZ made just 112, losing by 96 runs as captain Stephen Fleming played a lone hand of 48.

McGrath finished with 3-29 from six overs while Lee returned 5-42 from 9.1.

Lee took the vital wicket of Fleming at 5-102 from a bouncer the Kiwi skipper gloved to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

Bowling over 150km/h and rediscovering his almost unplayable yorker, Lee then sent Brendon McCullum (one), Jacob Oram (nought), Andre Adams (nought) and Shane Bond (three) on their way in a match-sealing burst.

After losing the toss, Australian captain Ricky Ponting had remained Bond's bunny but he wasn't alone as the Kiwi fast bowler's ten overs gave him 6-23.

It was the best return from a New Zealand bowler in an international-one dayer, the fourth-best against Australia and the 16th best of all-time.

He was man of the match.

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