Southee fit as NZ name unchanged XI

The Black Caps will take an unchanged side into their World Cup cricket clash with Australia in Auckland on Saturday.

Pacemen Tim Southee, who caused a scare when he went down in fielding practice on Thursday after being hit with a stray throw, has been included in the 11.

Skipper Brendon McCullum says he expects Southee to take the field at Eden Park.

"It was just a ball to the shoulder," he said on Friday.

"I asked him this morning if he got one in the leg as well because he managed to go down, which I couldn't quite work out.

"He's good. He bowled well today. He managed to get through his work, so I would expect him to play."

New Zealand fielded the same XI for their three other matches so far in this tournament, which have brought wins over Sri Lanka, Scotland and England.

"The guys have really stood up over the last little while and performed well," McCullum said.

"The combinations we have rolled out have worked pretty well as well."

He said the break since the England match last Friday meant the players had been able to have time off and freshen up.

"It's hard on the guys not playing but they are completely committed to the group as well," he said.

"At some point in this tournament, the guys who haven't yet had the opportunity to make an impact will get a game, but this game we think this is our best team to go in with."

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.