A Starc performance

Australia's Mitchell Starc looked forward to the knockout stages with confidence after taking four wickets in the co-hosts' comfortable win over Scotland on Saturday.

The 25-year-old took four for 14 in just 4.4 overs as Scotland were shot out for 130 after Clarke won the toss.

That left Starc topping the tournament bowling charts with 16 wickets in five matches at a stunningly low average of 8.50 apiece.

"I've been working quite hard with Craig McDermott [Australia's bowling coach] since the one-day series in Zimbabwe. I look forward to continue with [my form] through the back-end [of the World Cup]," said Starc.

"Yeah, the ball is coming out nicely, I can't complain at all. Well, it's coming out consistently, but more importantly we're winning games and that's all that matters," the New South Wales paceman added.

Starc's brilliant six for 28 almost rescued an improbable win for Australia over fellow co-hosts New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park in a match they eventually lost by just one wicket.

But since then it's been a largely smooth ride into the quarterfinals for Clarke's men, bidding to win Australia's fifth World Cup title and first on home soil.

"As long as we're winning games, confidence is going to be high, and especially going into the knockout stages, taking a bit of momentum," said Starc.

"I think we're all bowling quite well, we're training well, so yeah, personally it's just nice to see the ball coming out consistently. We're working on different plans, whether it be in training or in the game, but it's nice to see them coming off."