Getting better and better, says Aus coach Nielsen

Ricky Ponting played a captain's innings of 56 as Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets in their ICC World Twenty20 warm-up match at the Oval yesterday

Ricky Ponting played a captain's innings of 56 as Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets in their ICC World Twenty20 warm-up match at the Oval yesterday

Australia, chasing 148 to win, wobbled at 26 for two after James Franklin struck twice in his first over.

Ricky Ponting's 56 took Australia to victory against New Zealand. PIC/AFP

But an expertly paced stand of 104 between Ponting and Michael Clarke, unbeaten on 49, helped Australia to victory with four balls to spare as they made it two wins out of two following Monday's defeat of Bangladesh.

Australia coach Tim Nielsen was satisfied with his team's performance, telling reporters: "We are getting better, we are getting closer. There are still a couple of areas where we can improve.

"We still have a few overs that went for a few too many but the pleasing thing was to have them five for 21.u00a0

Brett (Lee) and Mitchell almost put the game to sleep in the first five or six overs and then we batted sensibly, chased the runs down and we probably had plenty up our sleeve."

Earlier, left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson took four wickets as Australia restricted New Zealand to 147 all out.