Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes the huge gaps between group stage matches in the World Cup contributed to his team's unconvincing 60-run win over Kenya.

Despite scoring 324 and claiming early Kenyan wickets, the defending champions were forced to bowl all 50 overs as Collins Obuya's unbeaten 98 off 129 balls continued the recovery effort led by Tanmay Mishra's 72.

With last weekend's clash against Sri Lanka falling victim to rain, Australia's last full game took place on February 25 and Ponting felt it was time to shake off the "rust" ahead of the business end of the tournament.

Ponting said: "Full credit to Kenya, I thought they fought the game out well, particularly with their batting.

"We tried a few different things with the field and also, for example, bowling Steven Smith during the powerplay.

"There was a bit of rust on the team today I think. With the batting, we got 320 but the fielders were a bit rusty as you can probably expect after 16 days of not much cricket.

"We hope to get rid of it (the rust) before the Canada game."

Michael Hussey - called up recently to replace the injured Doug Bollinger - contributed a quickfire 54 and Ponting was delighted to have his reliable middle order batsman back.

"It was great to have Hussey back in the squad and to see him playing well," Ponting added. "He batted beautifully today and the way that we know he can."

Even though he ended up on the losing side, Obuya lit up the closing overs of the game with nine boundaries and three sixes and he said: "I'm very proud.

"I've been working hard on my batting, on my bowling as well. Hopefully I'll become a batting all-rounder."