NEW DELHI - Australia captain Ricky Ponting is optimistic his batsmen will solve their spin puzzle ahead of bigger matches in the quest for a fourth successive World Cup.

"I think the more we play and the more we get accustomed to these conditions the better our performance will be against spin," said Ponting, under whose captaincy Australia has not lost a match at the past two World Cups.

Defending champion Australia opened its campaign with a 91-run victory over Zimbabwe in a day-night match in Ahmedanad on Monday, but its performance against spin left a lot to be desired.

In-form opener Shane Watson (79) and Michael Clarke (58 not out) hit impressive half-centuries to guide Australia to 262-6 but most of the batsmen struggled to score freely against Zimbabwe's slow bowlers.

Australia has been finding it difficult to dominate spin on low, slow pitches since it lost its opening warm-up game against India in Bangalore.

It faces another spin test when it clashes with trans-Tasman rival New Zealand in its second match in Nagpur on Friday, with its opponent having quality spinners in Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.

"We know the spin factor will be a big one in this tournament. We know these conditions and know how to play in India or Sri Lanka," Ponting said after Australia's 24th successive win in the World Cup. We need to play better (against spin). We need to be at the top of our game as the tournament progresses and I think we are not there quite yet."

Australia, who managed just 28 in the opening 10 overs on Monday, will need a brisk start from Watson and Brad Haddin against New Zealand who may also open the attack with a spinner, like Zimbabwe.

Offspinner McCullum did it in New Zealand's crushing win over Kenya in Chennai on Sunday, giving away just 15 runs in his four overs.

"Hopefully, we can get off to a much better start next time and take pressure off the middle order," said Watson, named man of the match against Zimbabwe.

Ponting, who described the victory over Zimbabwe as "solid" rather than "spectacular", had reasons to be satisfied with the performance of his pace trio of Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait and Brett Lee.

The pacemen bowled their hearts out to virtually reduce the match to a no-contest with their sharp performances as Zimbabwe was dismissed for 171. Johnson was the pick of the bowlers with 4-19 off 9.2 overs.

Agence France-Presse