World Cup 2023: Australia defeat New Zealand by 5 runs in high scoring match
On Saturday, Australia defeated New Zealand by five runs in an exciting game to extend their winning streak in the Cricket World Cup 2023 in Dharamsala.
Australia batted first and accumulated 388 before dismissing the Kiwis for 383 in 50 overs. Travis Head hit 109 off 67 balls in his World Cup debut, and he and David Warner (81 off 65 balls) shared 175 runs for the first wicket. Glenn Maxwell (41) and Jos Inglis (38) increased the tempo towards the finish, as did Pat Cummins, who hammered 37 off just 14 balls. Glenn Phillips played admirably with the ball, finishing with numbers of 3 for 37 as his teammates were brought to the cleaners. Rachin Ravindra, a centurion, led the way for New Zealand with a counterattacking 116 off 89 balls.
It was the highest scoring game in a World Cup, with 771 runs scored, surpassing South Africa’s triumph over Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament. New Zealand required 19 runs in the last over, which was played in the shadow of the Himalayas.
Trent Boult scampered for a single before Mitchell Starc gave up five wides on the leg side. Neesham, one of the stars of New Zealand’s 2019 final loss to England, then scored six runs off the following three balls. However, on trying another two, he was ran out by a magnificent throw from the fence by Marnus Labuschagne. Lockie Ferguson, who had hurt his Achilles on the pitch, was left to do the heroics off the final ball. Ferguson could only drill the ball straight to the cover fielder after Starc sent it in on a full length, leaving the Kiwis distraught.
New Zealand, the previous two World Cup runners-up, saw Will Young (32) and Devon Conway (28) put up 61 for the first wicket before both fell to Josh Hazlewood. Mitchell made his third fifty of the tournament, following his 130 against India, but fell on 54 when leg-spinner Adam Zampa had him holing out to long-on with his team behind by 168-3 after 24 overs.
Mitchell and Ravindra put up 96 for the third wicket. Ravindra, 23, who scored 123 against England in the first game, achieved three figures from 77 balls with seven fours and five sixes. Ravindra was caught in the deep off Cummins with New Zealand needing 97 off 60 balls. The Kiwis were left on 293-6, but Neesham injected new drama into the battle with a never-say-die 58, despite the fact that New Zealand fell just short of their aim.
Pat Cummins, Australia captain: That was awesome. Sometimes I have to remember I was on the field. They kept coming at us. It was fantastic. I loved that, especially from Trav, who has been away. That is how we want to play, take the game on and they led the way. It was a good wicket. I thought, in patches, we bowled really well. Other times, we gave too much width away. Some really good partnerships that were tough to get into. Marnus out there, throwing himself around at the end. Not the easiest fielding grounds here but the boys threw themselves around. We have a few days’ break. Will enjoy this one and then get stuck in.
Tom Latham, New Zealand captain: Fantastic game of cricket. Ebbs and flows throughout. To come so close, obviously it hurts. They played fantastically well and put us on the back foot from the start. He bowled fantastically to come and bowl ten overs for 30 and take three wickets, at crucial times. To bowl his full ten from one end was great and his work is paying off. When you are chasing close to 400, you have to play the perfect game. Young and Dev got us off to a good start. Rachin played an extraordinary knock – one of the better knocks you will see. Great place to play, really special place to be in. Just want to say all the best to the All Blacks and hopefully they can bring the World Cup home.
Travis Head, Player of the Match: Nice to be back, nice to be contributing. Very close in the end. Was a hell of a game. Only had a couple of hits. Little bit like the WTC, where I had a few weeks off. Have a few bruises that I can definitely strap up over the next couple of days. Think we play together really well. Complement each other well. We try to stay connected with each other, stay in the moment and we want to be as positive as we can.
Australia XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
New Zealand XI: Devon Conway Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
