In a thrilling and high-scoring ICC World Cup match played in Dharamsala of India, Australia secured a five-run victory against New Zealand on Saturday. The contest went down to the last ball, with New Zealand needing six runs to win. Despite posting a formidable total of 389, Australia faced stiff competition from the Kiwi batters.
While chasing the massive target of 389, the New Zealand batsmen started aggressively and reached their first 50 runs in just six overs. However, Australia made a breakthrough in the 8th over when Devon Conway was caught by Mitchell Starc at short fine leg off Josh Hazlewood’s delivery, scoring 28 runs from 17 balls. In the first power play, Australia claimed their second wicket, removing the other opener, Will Young, with New Zealand at 72 for 2 after 9.4 overs.
Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell then stabilized the innings with a crucial 96-run partnership, maintaining a healthy run rate. Both batsmen also reached their half-centuries. In the 24th over, Adam Zampa dismissed Mitchell for 54, taking his second wicket of the match. He claimed his third wicket by dismissing New Zealand’s skipper, Tom Latham, for 21. New Zealand lost their fifth wicket when Glenn Phillips was removed by Glenn Maxwell for 17 in the 37th over. Ravindra managed to complete his impressive century. New Zealand’s batters maintained the run rate, but Australia’s wickets kept falling at intervals. However, New Zealand was still in contention.
In the 41st over, Australia removed Ravindra, who had scored 116 runs from 89 balls, including five sixes and nine boundaries. After his dismissal, Australia made a strong comeback. In the following couple of overs, they also claimed the wickets of Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry.
With New Zealand at 346 for 8 after 47 overs, they required 43 runs from 18 balls with James Neesham at the crease. In the 48th over, New Zealand scored 11 runs, leaving them needing 33 runs from 12 balls with two wickets remaining. In the 49th over, Neesham and Trent Boult added 14 runs. Neesham completed his half-century in 33 balls, including three sixes and three boundaries. In the final over, New Zealand needed 19 runs to win. Mitchell Starc conceded five wides, bringing New Zealand back into the game.
After the wide balls, New Zealand required 13 runs from the last five balls. Neesham managed to take three consecutive twos on the next three balls. With two balls remaining, New Zealand needed 7 runs with Neesham on strike to set up an exhilarating finish. However, on the penultimate ball, he was run out while attempting a second run, ending his innings at 58 runs from 39 balls. On the final ball, New Zealand needed 6 runs to win, but they couldn’t achieve it. Australia clinched the most exciting game of the tournament with a five-run victory.
For Australia, Adam Zampa took three wickets, while Hazlewood and Pat Cummins claimed two wickets each, and Maxwell secured one.
In their innings, Australia set a formidable target of 389 runs for New Zealand. The openers provided a brilliant start with a massive 175-run partnership for the first wicket, scoring at an impressive rate of over 11 runs per over.
Travis Head scored 109 runs off 67 balls, and David Warner added 81 runs. Josh Inglis contributed 38, Pat Cummins scored 37, and Mitchell Marsh added 36 runs. Glenn Maxwell scored 41 runs in a spectacular display of cricketing excellence.
