Starc stars, Boult's hat-trick, Classic catches. This one had it all.

It's all thumbs up from the Aussie captain as Australia comfortably defeat New Zealand.

Mitchell Starc proved the determining factor as he recorded his third World Cup five wicket haul, the first person ever to do so, as he lead Australia to a confidence boosting 86 run win over New Zealand at Lords. After winning the toss and electing to bat, it would be New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson who would be smiling most at the first drinks break as Trent Boult would remove Aaron Finch, and Lockie Ferguson would dismiss David Warner and Steve Smith to have Australia 3 for 42 off just 11.2 overs. The dismissal of Steve Smith was a pivotal moment, Lockie Davies hurried Smith with a short ball who played it rather well, unfortunately in the air and straight into the left hand of an out-stretched Martin Guptill who took one of the catches of the day. With the dangerous trio in the sheds, Usman Khawaja was first joined by Marcus Stoinis (21) who was dismissed by James Neesham in the 20th over, and Glenn Maxwell would be brilliantly caught and bowled by Neesham just two overs later to have Australia in deep trouble at 5 for 92. Alex Carey would then join Khawaja at the crease for a vital 107 run stand, with Carey finally being dismissed in the 42nd over for 71 off 72 balls. Carey has played some vital knocks for Australia in this World Cup, with many now seeking the promotion of Carey to five in moments like this. He drove exceptionally well against the quicks, and had a full 360 degree range of shots against the spinners. His dismissal would see Pat Cummins come to the crease and smash a 19 ball 23 to help push Australia towards 250. Usman Khawaja played the perfect innings given the circumstances. Finishing with 88 off 129 balls on a difficult Lord's wicket, his wicket in the final over at the hands of Boult would see Trent Boult then bowl Mitchell Starc first ball, before trapping Jason Behrendorff LBW to record a hat-trick, the first by a New Zealander in a World Cup and just the 11th in ODI cricket for the small pacific nation. Jason Behrendorff would remove both openers cheaply, first Henry Nicholls caught behind for 8, before trapping Guptill infant for 20. New Zealand looked in control of the small total as Kane Williamson (40) was joined by the evergreen Ross Taylor (30) at the crease, and they both pushed the score towards 100 before the third wicket finally fell, Mitchell Starc drawing Williamson into a false shot, having him caught by Carey. Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon would all pick up a wicket in the middle overs, before Aaron Finch would go back to his strike bowler in Starc, who would clean up the tail and record his third World Cup five wicket haul, to push seven wickets clear at the top of the wicket-takers list. Australia would end up 86 run victors and all but assure themselves a top two finish in this years World Cup.

THE STAR

Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of Kane Williamson.

It could easily have been Usman Khawaja or Alex Carey, both who played pivotal, although different, innings to resurrect the Australian's into a winning position. However, it is Mitchell Starc who ensured that Australia would finish in the top two, which may come in handy if the rain returns to England. Starc first removed the dangerous Kane Williamson, then the last remaining hope for New Zealand, Tom Latham, before cleaning up the tail, sending Santner, Sodhi and Ferguson back to the sheds.

THE MOMENT

A horizontal, outstretched Steve Smith takes one of the catches of the day.

There two fantastic catches in this one. First Martin Guptil's to remove Steve Smith off Lockie Ferguson. Ferguson hurried Smith, who played a well timed pull shot, only for the ball to land perfectly in the outstretched left arm of the diving Guptill to take the catch. Smith wouldn't let that be the final word, with Starc steaming into Tom Latham late in the game, Smith was positioned at short mid-wicket. Latham whipped it off his legs, only this time for the ball to land straight into the outstreched right arm of Smith. Who's catch was better, you be the judge. We'll give it to Smith as it was infront of the wicket and played it's part in a win for his side.

THE FAILURE

Ish Sodhi, and Mitchell Santner, failed to have an impact for New Zealand.

The spin of New Zealand was easy pickings for the Australian's, with Ish Sodhi going at almost 6 an over, and Santner over seven and a half, Kane Williamson would have to go to himself to get some quality spin bowling. It is a concern for New Zealand, in the finals you would expect quality economic and wicket-taking spin bowling to play it's part.

WHAT NEXT - Australia take on South Africa next Saturday, whilst New Zealand take on England on Wednesday to finish their campaign. TONIGHT - England will be desperate for an upset win over India to keep their semi-final hopes firmly alive.