BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Australia cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in World Cup Group A on Monday, sealing their 10th straight one-day international win with 15 balls to spare.

Damien Martyn (50 not out) and Darren Lehmann (56 not out) took the world champions to their target of 247 with an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 92 after Adam Gilchrist made 61, captain Ricky Ponting 38 and Matthew Hayden 34.

Australia’s fourth win of the tournament virtually assured them of a place in the Super Sixes with two group matches, against Namibia and England, to play.

"It was another good win today, although they probably got away from us towards the end," Ponting said. "I wasn’t aware of that. I’m pretty happy with the way we played.

"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."

Zimbabwe recovered from 141 for six to post a total of 246 for nine, thanks largely to Andy Blignaut’s third fastest fifty in World Cup history.

Man-of-the-match Blignaut struck two sixes and eight fours in a sparkling 54 from 28 balls, lifting the hosts after a disappointing start. Captain Heath Streak made an unbeaten 28 in the closing overs.

Andy and Grant Flower shared a third-wicket partnership of 84 before Grant was needlessly run out for 37 and Andy was deceived by a Brad Hogg flipper and bowled for 62.

"We just didn’t make enough runs on a really good batting deck but there were some good performances," Andy Flower said. "We just didn’t have the player power to challenge them on a good pitch like that.

"We got some momentum going and unfortunately one of us got run out — it’s happened a couple of times over the years. Then I got out shortly afterwards.

"I’m not happy at all. We lost a game of cricket today."

The Australians, who flew into Bulawayo on Sunday, are due to leave strife-torn Zimbabwe later on Monday after taking another important step towards their World Cup defence. "It was nice to hit a few (runs) in the middle," Gilchrist said. "I think our bowlers bowled well early on but Zimbabwe came back really well in the middle and posted a competitive total.

"We are relieved to get the four points," added the wicketkeeper who was dropped twice in his run-a-ball-innings.

"I thought today was a terrific day and we were happy to come here."

England forfeited their Group A match against Zimbabwe in Harare because of security concerns.

World Cup points tables

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 24 (Reuters) - World Cup Group A standings

P W L NR T Pts Run rate

Australia 4 4 0 0 0 16 +1.769

England 4 3 1 0 0 12 +2.081

India 4 3 1 0 0 12 +1.191

Zimbabwe 4 2 2 0 0 8 +0.091

Pakistan 3 1 2 0 0 4 -0.126

N'lands 3 0 3 0 0 0 -2.044

Namibia 4 0 4 0 0 0 -2.814

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 24 (Reuters) - World Cup Group B standings

P W L T NR Pts Run rate

Sri Lanka 4 3 1 0 0 12 +1.730

Kenya 4 3 1 0 0 12 - 0.398

W.Indies 4 2 1 0 1 10 +1.032

S. Africa 4 2 2 0 0 8 +2.149

N.Zealand 4 2 2 0 0 8 -0.086

Canada 4 1 3 0 0 4 -1.461

B'desh 4 0 3 0 1 2 - 2.643