Australia's cricket team will do all it can to support their New Zealand "brothers" when the teams meet in a World Cup match overshadowed by the Christchurch earthquake, captain Ricky Ponting said.
The second group game of the World Cup for the trans-Tasman rivals at the VCA Ground here on Friday will take place against the backdrop of devastating tremors which have killed at least 98 people and injured hundreds more.
"As an Australian team, we've all been extremely saddened by what we've seen happen in Christ-church in the last few days," Ponting said.
"We've actually had a chance to speak now to most of the New Zealand players as well, having shared the hotel with them last night and this morning.
