Australian one-day cricket captain Ricky Ponting says his side's ability to continually conjure wins over New Zealand gives the world champions a psychological stronghold over their trans-Tasman rivals.

While the Black Caps must win Sunday's match in Guwahati to be any chance of reaching the final of the tri-series tournament, Ponting said Australia's recent dominance over the Kiwis gave it a massive headstart.

Ponting said the Black Caps' failure to hold their catches late in Monday's match in Pune underlined the pressure New Zealand was under against Australia, which has won the past five matches between the sides.

Significantly, three of those wins have come when Australia was down and out.

"The way we've won the games has been pretty satisfying," Ponting said.

"The World Cup game we thumped them, the first game here we thumped them and then we came from behind the other day to win that game.

"They dropped three catches towards the end of their innings the other day as well, when they might have been under a bit of pressure, so you'd like to think we've got it over them a little bit."

It's been two years since New Zealand beat Australia, but it's not for a lack of opportunities for the Black Caps.

Australia was able to recover from 6-82 chasing 246 to win at the MCG in 2001-02, and then fought back from 7-84 to win by 96 runs at Port Elizabeth in the Super Six stage of the World Cup in March.

On Monday in Pune, Australia crashed to 4-65 in pursuit of 259 before New Zealand dropped three simple chances which could have wrapped up victory.

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