Johannesburg: Australia's smooth cruise through the World Cup came to a shuddering halt on Tuesday at the hands of a Canterbury policeman.Shane Bond took 6 for 23 as the world champions were restricted to 208 for 9 off their 50 overs in the Super Six clash at Port Elizabeth to register the best ever One-day bowling figures against the Australians.However, Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel, who shared a match-winning unbeaten ninth wicket stand of 73 in a pool match against England on the same ground last week, were again Australia's saviours, putting on 97 for the eighth wicket.Bond, 27, who has put his police career on hold as he makes a relatively late bid for cricket fame, repaid the faith shown in him by skipper Stephen Fleming who won the toss and put the defending champions in on a slow St George's Park pitch. "I hadn't been bowling that well but I knew that soon it would be my day. I seem to do alright against the Australians so it was good to do well again," said Bond."There was a bit in the pitch for me. I just mixed up my pace, put the ball in the standard area and threw in the odd yorker."The paceman enjoys the challenge of facing the Aussies - when he made his debut in 2001-02, he captured 21 wickets and was named player of the One-day series.On Tuesday, he had Matthew Hayden caught behind for one, trapped Adam Gilchrist leg before for 18 and Ricky Ponting caught at slip for six in an opening spell of three for 20 in six overs. He returned later to blast out Damien Martyn, Brad Hogg and Ian Harvey in a second spell of three for three in four overs as Australia crashed to 84 for seven.Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Bevan, Bichel do the rescue act yet again, Bond picks 6

Tags: cricket, world cup 2003, australia versus new zealand, johannesburg, shane bond, port elizabeth, michael bevan, andy bichel, matthew hayden, adam gilchrist, ricky ponting, damien martyn, brad hogg, ian harvey.