Australia cruised past plucky Zimbabwe in their World Cup match at Queens Sports Club to secure its place in the Super Sixes and move within one match of the all-time record for the most consecutive limited overs wins.

It was an eventful day. Andy Flower's protest against the Mugabe regime was toned down and he tore his groin, Brad Hogg wasted his chance for a hat-trick, Andy Blignaut smashed Australia's all-conquering bowling attack, Brett Lee took a freakish catch - and Michael Bevan again didn't get a bat.

Australia won by seven wickets with 15 balls to spare. Replying to Zimbabwe's 9-246, Australia's batsmen all made worthwhile contributions en route to 3-248: Adam Gilchrist 61, Matthew Hayden 34, captain Ricky Ponting 38, Damien Martyn 50no and Darren Lehmann 56no.

"It was another good win today, although they probably got away from us towards the end," Ponting said.

"Partnerships were always going to the key and there were good partnerships throughout the innings. The atmosphere was great today and the crowd got a good game to watch."

Flower's white sweat band was believed to symbolise peace, but maybe it meant nothing of any deep significance.

If he was making a political statement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had succeeded in lessening his impact because so many other players, including Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, wore the same equipment.

Having won the toss, the hosts were in trouble at 6-142 before man of the match Andy Blignaut took 37 runs from two overs from Jason Gillespie and Hogg in a 28-ball innings of 54.

Blignaut departed when Lee took his fluke catch. The 24-year-old Zimbabwean smashed a waist-high full toss back to the bowler, who looked completely stunned when the ball ended up in his hands in the blink of an eye.

Gilchrist, dropped on 12 and 50, put on an 89-run partnership with Hayden in 14.1 overs that set Australia on the way to its fourth win from as many attempts in the tournament, stretching its unbeaten streak to ten.

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