New Zealand captain Kane Williamson urged his side to move on after an 86-run defeat by champions Australia at Lord's on Saturday condemned the Black Caps to their second straight loss of the World Cup.

Williamson's side will guarantee their place alongside Australia �?the team that beat them in the 2015 final �?in the last four if they defeat tournament hosts England in their concluding group match at Chester-le-Street on July 3.

And they will be into the semi-finals before then if England lose to India in Birmingham on Sunday.

"It's about moving on and going to Durham," said Williamson after a heavy loss just days after a six-wicket defeat by Pakistan.

New Zealand, who lost the toss on a used pitch that made conditions tough for batsmen, were right in the game when they reduced Australia to 92-5.

READ | Khawaja and Starc star as Australia thump New Zealand

But a century stand between Usman Khawaja (88) and player of the match Alex Carey, whose fluent 71 included 11 fours, took Australia to 243-9.

That proved more than enough, despite a last over hat-trick from New Zealand's Trent Boult.

The Black Caps could only manage 157 in reply, with left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc taking a tournament best 5-26.

“We were one wicket away if you look at the positives in our bowling, it wasn't to be today," said Williamson.

"Rather than digging too deep, you're analysing the past when the challenge coming up can be quite different.

"There are so many variables in this sport and World Cup. It's about moving on to the next game," added the star batsman, who for once at this tournament was unable to bail his side out of trouble after match-wining hundreds against both South Africa and the West Indies.

READ | New Zealand and its gritty face

Williamson, who fell to Starc for 40 on Saturday, acknowledged that the defeats could lead to "a dent in momentum".

"But then at the end of the day, it is coming back to the cricket that we want to play. Playing with those smarts, I think cricket smarts throughout this tournament has been perhaps the most important thing.

"On these surfaces that have varied a bit...you do need to be smart and adapt really quickly on them to give yourselves the best chance of success."

Williamson was encouraged by the form of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (2-49) as well as experienced left-arm spearhead Boult, saying Ferguson has "got the ability to pick up wickets at any stage of the innings."

New Zealand also enjoyed a memorable moment in the field when Martin Guptill held a stunning catch at leg gully to dismiss Steve Smith for just five off Ferguson after flooring two easier chances

"That was an epic catch, wasn't it?," said Williamson. "I guess he had a couple of practises at some toughies and then he took the third one, didn't he, which was good," he said with a laugh.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @cricketworldcup

Australia captain Aaron Finch said the champions had toned down their World Cup act as they prepare to face New Zealand, the team they beat in the 2015 final, at Lord's on Saturday.

The match will revive memories of a Melbourne final in which wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, now a member of Australia's coaching staff, was criticised for '"sledging" or verbally abusing New Zealand batsmen in his final one-day international.

But since then Australia have been through the trauma of a ball-tampering scandal that saw former captain Steve Smith and opener David Warner handed 12-month bans.

There has been a noticeable lack of flare-ups between players on opposing sides at this World Cup, although there have been issues of dissent at umpires' decisions.

"I think it has been a great spirit out on the field, regardless of results," Finch said at Lord's on Friday.

"I know the last one was quite an aggressive World Cup on the field, mainly from us. We were quite aggressive in our approach and how we went about things.

"This one has been absolutely brilliant, and I think that's been really pleasing as well."

In-form opening batsman Finch is expecting a strong test from New Zealand in a match where a win for Kane Williamson's men would see them into the last four.

"I think the great thing with New Zealand is that they fight and scrap every single game, regardless of whether it's a World Cup final or it's a club game," said Finch.

"They are a great fielding side. They put pressure on you. They have got world-class players."

With Australia already assured of a semi-final place, they could rest fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins from Saturday's day/night match.

"I know that they (Starc and Cummins) have got no interest whatsoever in being rested or anything like that," said Finch.

"We want to try to keep our winning momentum," he added. "You don't want to tempt fate. I mean, we have got a week until our next game (against South Africa). 

"We feel as though that week will be a really good opportunity for the bowlers to really freshen up and de-loading them three or four days after this match to manage them through the next part of the tournament, and obviously with a huge summer coming up here with the Ashes."

Warner's wife is due to give birth to the couple's third child this weekend, which will certainly give him something else to think about other than the World Cup.

But Finch said he wanted all his players to enjoy their time away from cricket.

"It's important that when you get days off, you really get away from the game and freshen up. For me, before my wife got here, it was about getting out and playing golf. 

"Now it's more like shopping but yeah, mini-golf the other day, that's the closest I've got to the course since she's been here. Sorry, darling.

"I'll cop for that later," a smiling Finch added to laughter from reporters.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis

Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey both hit fifties as they shared a century stand that saw reigning champions Australia recover from a top-order collapse in their World Cup match against New Zealand at Lord's on Saturday.

The left-handed pair came together with Australia having slumped to 92-5. 

But when Carey fell for 71, chipping New Zealand captain Kane Williamson's off-spin to Martin Guptill at extra cover, Australia were 199-6 with seven overs left.

Wicketkeeper Carey faced 72 balls and hit 11 fours, the best arguably a superb straight drive off Trent Boult.

Australia, who beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the 2015 World Cup final, had already qualified for the last four out of the 10-team round-robin phase before captain Aaron Finch won Saturday's toss.

His decision to bat first on a used pitch -- the same track on which Australia beat England by 64 runs at Lord's on Tuesday -- was understandable given the sunny conditions but a worn surface provided some variable bounce and sharp turn.

The form of Australia's first-wicket pair has been a key factor in much of their success at this tournament, with Finch and David Warner having scored 657 runs together in eight matches, including Saturday's fixture, at an average of 82.12.

But it was a different story against the Black Caps, with both Finch (8) and Warner (16) dismissed cheaply.

Left-arm quick Boult opened the match with a maiden as did medium-pacer Colin de Grandhomme, who almost had Finch out for a duck only for Guptill to drop a tough chance at short extra-cover off a fierce drive.

Boult, however, made the breakthrough in the fifth over when Finch was plumb lbw to a ball that nipped back.

Two balls later Khawaja almost went for a duck, only for a diving Guptill to drop a catch at second slip.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, however, struck first ball.

He appeared to surprise Warner, who came into this match as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 500 runs, courtesy of a sharply lifting delivery the left-hander could not evade as he tried to sway out of the way before wicket-keeper Tom Latham held a simple catch.

Ferguson also contributed to Steve Smith's downfall, the former captain falling for just five when he miscued a hook shot and Guptill, now at short fine leg, held a sensational diving catch as he atoned for his earlier misses in style.

First-change Ferguson had now taken two wickets for three runs in eight balls.

Warner and Smith were booed on and off the field following their recent returns after each served 12-month bans for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal during a Test in South Africa.

They were both back in the pavilion when Jimmy Neesham took two wickets for no runs in four balls to reduce Australia to 92-5.

Neesham had Marcus Stoinis (21) caught behind before the all-rounder held a brilliant diving left-handed catch off his own bowling after dangerman Glenn Maxwell (one) miscued a pull.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

Australia cruised to victory by 86 runs against New Zealand at Lord's on Saturday, with batsman Usman Khawaja and pace spearhead Mitchell Starc starring for the defending champions.

Aaron Finch's team, already through to the last four from the 10-team round-robin stage, were wobbling at 92-5 after winning the toss on a hot day.

But Khawaja (88), who received fine support from man-of-the-match Alex Carey (71) steadied the ship before he became the first victim of a last-over hat-trick from left-arm paceman Trent Boult as Australia finished on 243-9.

It proved more than enough, as New Zealand slumped to 157 all out with 38 balls to spare. 

Jason Behrendorff (2-31) removed both the New Zealand openers before Starc -- the tournament's leading bowler -- cleaned up with 5-26.

2️⃣4️⃣ - Mitchell Starc already has more wickets at #CWC19 than he took at #CWC15 (22), when he was leading wicket-taker and Player of the Tournament #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/YJoVnfPma3

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 29, 2019

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who scored 40, could not repeat his heroics from earlier in the tournament as the Black Caps' chase failed to take off.

They still have not confirmed their place in the semi-finals with one match to go but if England lose to India in Birmingham on Sunday, New Zealand will be in the last four before they face the tournament hosts in their final group match.

 "It was not the start we wanted but Uzzie (Khawaja) was out there occupying the crease," said Carey. "I went out and assessed conditions and tried to bat time and go as deep as possible.

"Credit to Usman as well, he batted a long time in that heat and Mitchell Starc closing it out with the ball."

- Finch, Warner fail -

Australia's first-wicket pair have been central to their success at the World Cup, with Finch and David Warner having scored 657 runs together in eight matches, including Saturday's fixture, at an average of 82.12.

But they both fell cheaply against New Zealand and Steve Smith fell for five after Martin Guptill held a sensational diving catch off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson.

Warner and Smith were booed on and off the field following their recent return to international cricket after they were both banned for 12 months for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal.

23 November 2014: Steve Smith takes his 27th ODI wicket.

1679 days later... Steve Smith takes his 28th ODI wicket!

Worth the wait?#CWC19 | #NZvAUS | #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/aZFtBBNODq

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 29, 2019

Jimmy Neesham then struck twice to reduce Australia to 92-5.

The collapse allowed Khawaja to bat in his usual style without fear of being criticised for slow scoring.

Fellow left-hander Carey added impetus, hitting 11 fours before he holed out off Williamson's occasional off-spin.

Khawaja was bowled in the final over by Boult to end a 129-ball innings featuring just five fours. Boult then bowled Starc and dismissed Behrendorff lbw with a yorker.

It was the first hat-trick by a New Zealander at a World Cup and the second of the tournament after India's Mohammed Shami achieved the feat against Afghanistan. 

Boult finished with 4-51 at a sun-drenched Lord's after he had earlier removed Finch.

Behrendorff then carried on from where left off with a career-best 5-44 in Australia's 64-run win over England at Lord's on Tuesday.

He had the unlucky Henry Nicholls, selected in place of dropped opener Colin Munro, caught behind down the legside for eight and then had Guptill lbw for 20.

Williamson was caught behind trying to run Starc to third man to leave New Zealand 97-3 in the 26th over and Ross Taylor exited for 30.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

New Zealand are all set to lock horns with the defending champions, Australia in a bid to up their hopes of getting a place in the semi-final of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup at the home of cricket, Lord’s, on Saturday. While it was supposed to be an easy route towards the target, a heart-wrenching defeat at hands of Pakistan on Wednesday has left the Kiwis with a mountain to climb, given their only fixture (apart from Australia) lies against England.

New Zealand taking on their trans-Tasman rivals is always a fixture for the savers. This time around though, the Aussies �?having qualified for the semi-final already �?have nothing to lose yet spoiling the Kiwis�?party would be something they would look forward to.

Meanwhile, if history is anything to go by, Australia arrive in the fixture as heavy favourites, having won a whopping 90 of their 136 encounters. And even if their World Cup battles are taken in account, New Zealand come nowhere near their counterparts, having lost seven of their 10 meetings.

For Australia, there are several milestones to achieve. For instance, they are just one victory away of equaling their record of most victories against any opponent in the World Cup. As of now, they have won eight against India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Read | Williamson expects feisty Lord's for Australia clash

Having won four of their last five World Cup meetings, the venue somehow favours the Kiwis as the last time these two sides met in England/ Wales for a World Cup game (1999), New Zealand won by five wickets.

As far as their current performance is concerned, the likes of Aaron Finch and David Warner provide Australia a flawless opening option. Having accumulated 996 runs in this year’s World Cup, the pair seem way superior than Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, who have a combined total of mere 263 runs.

In Kane Williamson (who as 416 runs at 41.6 in 12 ODIs against Australia) though, the Kiwis have someone who can guide the team to if not massive total, at least a respectable figure.

The bowling department, on the other hand, is something to keep a keen eye on. In Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff, Australia have arguably the fieriest pacers of the generation. And the likes of Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson provide the Kiwis with a similar threat with the ball.

Australia’s only worry in the World Cup has been the lack of contribution from the middle order. While Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey have had their moments, the trio hasn’t really settled down as the team would have hoped for. As for New Zealand, right from Ross Taylor to Mitchell Santner �?barring Tom Latham �?have played crucial innings at times.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BLACKCAPS