Australian skipper Pat Cummins believes Saturday's ICC World Cup 2023 league stage clash with New Zealand will be a battle between "mates" as the push for semi-final places enters a critical phase.

Five-time champions Australia are back on track for a last-four spot having won three matches on the trot after an unimpressive start which saw them lose their first two games. New Zealand, runners-up in the last two World Cups, have the better record so far with four wins from five games.