Australia's Academy side proved too strong for their New Zealand counterparts in a one-day game in Townsville yesterday.

Australia batted first and while losing Chris Simpson to the third ball of the innings, a 142-run second-wicket partnership in 22 overs allowed a quick recovery for the home team.

Craig Simmons (74 off 70 balls) and Darren Wotherspoon (49 off 73) thrived in the conditions and while the New Zealand bowling tightened in the latter stages of the innings it still wasn't enough to prevent Australia reaching 273 when all out with two balls remaining.

Useful back-up was provided by Liam Buchanan (36) and George Bailey (26) and No 9 batsman David Dawson (25 not out).

While he went wicketless, Kyle Mills celebrated his recall to the TelstraClear Black Caps side with his 10 overs costing 41 runs. Jeetan Patel's off-spinners also proved useful as he took one for 31 from seven overs.

New Zealand struggled from the outset and had lost Shanan Stewart, Jamie How and Jesse Ryder by the time 20 runs had been scored.

Rob Nicol was undeterred and he scored 73 not out off 66 balls but was unable to find consistent support from his middle-order team-mates and New Zealand were all out after only 32.4 overs for 193.

The situation would have been much worse if Patel hadn't helped Nicol add 72 runs for the last wicket. Patel scored 41 runs off 22 balls and hit one four and five sixes. Jarrad Burke took five wickets for Australia but at a severe cost of 63 runs from his 8.4 overs.

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