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ON Friday they combined to belt Bahrain, tonight in Bendigo they paired up to eradicate Iran, Sydney Kings shooter Dejan Vasiljevic delivering the daggers in a 98-68 rout after Perth Wildcats forward Luke Travers bolstered Australia's resolve by blocking six shots to put down a threatening revolution by the visitors. 

As far as another in a long line of (yawn) FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers went, the Boomers' script was unchanged from all of its recent outings.

Start strong, establish a demoralising lead by the first break, build to a big-margin victory. Easy.

Ahead 27-15 after the first quarter and having already forced six Iranian turnovers - Bronze Medal Tokyo Olympian Nick Kay en route to 15 points by halftime (nine in the second period) - this one looked over with Australia 37-20 out.

But Iran found its way late in that second term and was feeling good about its prospects, trailing 30-41 at halftime.

Australia quickly made it 43-30 to start the third but Iran had Mohammad Jamshidi suddenly on target and the team playing with great belief and composure. It started the long graft back, a Todd Blanchfield turnover leading Iran to within four at 39-43.

Then Salar Monji significantly blocked Sam Froling going to the hoop, his effort rewarded with another Iranian bucket and 41-43.

Sajjad Mashayekhi's 3-point blast swept Iran 44-43 ahead, the visitors firing and on a 14-0 outburst.

Mitch McCarron broke up the rally but when Iran again regained the lead, Boomers coach Mike Kelly needed to restore order.

With more than five minutes to play in the third quarter, Jamshidi's three gave Iran a 50-48 lead. Considering Australia held Iran to 30 points in 20 minutes, then gave up 20 in five minutes, the area of greatest concern was obvious.

Enter Travers and Rhys Vague and from 50-52 down, the Boomers reverted to their successful defensive mindset.

Travers quickly compiled four assists, two steals and a whopping six blocks - changing a few other shots too - to be the backbone of the defensive shift.

Vasiljevic took Jamshidi's in-your-face jumpshot for Iran's 52-50 lead personally, sticking a 3-pointer, then another in quick succession, leading to a rapid timeout.

Vague, also active with two steals and seven boards in 15:36 of court-time, stuck a third Boomers triple for 59-52 and Australia was on its way to a 65-58 buffer with a quarter to come.

Vasiljevic on a fast break, then free throws, then a 3-pointer, almost singlehandedly broke Iran as Australia sped to 72-58.

Vasiljevic continued on to 23 points at 53 per cent, with five rebounds and three assists, the Boomers' burying Iran in a 33-10 final period avalanche.

Alex Toohey had his chance to play the final 5:30, flicked a wicked assist to a Vague cut for 86-63, before hitting a corner three on his way to seven points.

Vague's three for 98-68 closed the game with the Boomers winning by 30. But no, despite the result being exactly as expected, the manner in which Iran veered this right away from the usual script - before Australia steered it back - made it one of the more entertaining in a long list of predictable qualifiers.

AUSTRALIA BOOMERS 98 (Vasiljevic 23, Kay 20, Vague 10; Froling 8 rebs; Travers 4 assts) d IRAN 68 (Jamshidi 17, Mashayekhi 11, Monji 10; Pazrofteh 7 rebs; Mashayekhi 5 assts) in Bendigo.