Cricket World Cup: Australia defeat New Zealand by five runs in World Cup epic
A ridiculous World Cup match has fallen Australia’s way after 771 runs and 19 wickets in one day of cricket. A frantic run out proved pivotal in the final over. See how it played out here.
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New Zealand almost pulled off a World Cup heist but Australia survived by the skin of its teeth to secure a fourth straight World Cup win.
Set 389 after Travis Head’s blistering comeback century, New Zealand made a mighty fist of the chase as young gun Rachina Ravindra posted his second ton of the tournament to keep his side in the hunt.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins – who had earlier blasted a crucial quickfire 37 with the bat – produced another timely breakthrough as a change of pace led Ravindra to hole out to Marnus Labuschagne at long off for 106 in the 41st over.
Jimmy Neesham swung hard late but Australia was playing with enough house money to bank its fourth win of the tournament, drawing level with their opponents.
The Black Caps still needed 43 off the final three overs with just two wickets in hand and 18 from the final over, but five wides Mitchell Starc’s second ball of the over opened the door for an extraordinary NZ win.
Neesham struck three consecutive twos with desperate outfielding from the Aussies keeping their noses in front. Neesham was run out going for a second off the penultimate ball, with last man Lockie Ferguson unable to connect needing six off the match’s last delivery, Australia winning by five runs in an instant classic.
Somewhat like their win over Pakistan in Bangalore, the Aussies set New Zealand an imposing total but were forced to grind their way through on a wicket that provided less for the bowlers than its green-tinge suggested.
Starc was wayward but took two important catches off Josh Hazlewood’s power play bowling including a beauty at short fine leg to remove Devon Conway for 28.
The 23-year-old Ravindra, who made a ton against England in the tournament opener, put on 96 for the third wicket with Daryl Mitchell (54) who eventually fell to another Starc catch, this time at long-on to provide a first wicket for Adam Zampa.
Ravindra chipped away with Tom Latham (21), Glenn Phillips (12) and Jimmy Neesham, leaving the Black Caps 97 to get from the final 10 overs before Cummins struck.
Head had earlier stormed into the tournament with a vengeance, pummelling his ton from 59 balls.
While David Warner fell short of what would have been a third straight century, he and Head blasted 118 runs in the power play as part of a 175-run opening stand after Australia was sent in by Latham at the foot of the Himalayas.
Phillips’ part-time off-spin pegged the Aussies back in the middle overs but another Glenn Maxwell explosion and late power from Josh Inglis and Cummins hauled the Aussies to 388, bowled out in the final over after the tail folded quickly.
Head didn’t convene with the Australian squad until its fifth World Cup match, and was only brought into the XI on Saturday in what was the Aussies’ sixth league stage game, having recovered from the broken left hand he suffered against South Africa last month.
Planted straight back at the top of the order alongside Warner, Head immediately vindicated the selectors’ call to carry him through the early part of the tournament, smashing his way to what was the fourth-fastest century for an Australian man in ODIs.
Mitchell Santner couldn’t complete a diving return catch offered by Head on 70, while Phillips dropped the South Australian on 75 when he ferociously pulled Ravindra through midwicket.
As the pitch slowed down, Phillips broke through eventually, with Warner spooning a catch back to the bowler to depart for 81 from 65 balls, before Head was bowled by one keeping slightly lower than expected to end a magnificent dig of 109 from 67 balls including seven sixes.
From there Australia’s revamped batting line-up got bogged down, continuing what has been a trend through the tournament.
AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND: SEE HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED
11:58PM AUSSIES WIN AN EPIC
In an all-time World Cup match, New Zealand fall five runs short of Australia’s 388 set for the Kiwis to chase.
A run out on the second last ball of the match proved pivotal to send Jimmy Neesham (58 runs from 39 balls) to the sheds.
What a game of cricket!
11:50PM: KIWIS WON’T SAY DIE
One over left, 19 runs needed.
Whatever happens, New Zealand have given Australia an almighty scare in a thrilling run chase.
Mitch Starc is bowling the final over, with Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham at the crease.
11:27PM: FIVE OVERS LEFT
The wickets are running out for New Zealand but they are not going down without a fight.
The Kiwis require 58 runs from the last 30 balls with just three wickets in hand.
Can they pull off a miracle or will the Aussies close it out?
11:07PM: RAVINDRA OUT
That’s the huge wicket Australia wanted.
Ravindra’s magnificent innings comes to an end thanks to a catch in the deep from Marnus Labuschagne.
The Aussies are in the box seat, but it’s not over yet.
11.03PM: 10 OVERS TO PLAY, NEW ZEALAND 5-292
97 runs from 60 balls is the equation for New Zealand.
Strap yourselves in.
Ravindra is 116 not out and if he’s there at the end, this is going to be very close.
10.51PM: PHILLIPS CAUGHT
Well, this has been an eventful over.
Glenn Phillips could have been a real threat for Australia but never got going in this chase.
He tries to whack Maxwell out of the ground but only hits it straight to Marnus Labuschagne at mid-off.
New Zealand is 5-265 with 13 overs left.
10.49PM: MAXWELL DROPS RAVINDRA
Remember that moment.
Maxwell could just about have iced the game with a return catch off Ravindra but barely gets his hands to a regulation return chance.
10.47PM: RAVINDRA SMASHES SIX TO BRING UP CENTURY
Boy was that a crisp strike.
Ravindra goes down on one knee and slams Glenn Maxwell over the midwicket fence to reach his century from 77 balls.
It’s still unlikely that New Zealand complete this record run chase, but the young star is giving his side every chance.
10.26PM: ZAMPA STRIKES AGAIN
Kiwi skipper Tom Latham tries to reverse Adam Zampa but is beaten by bounce, sending an easy catch ballooning to Josh Hazlewood at short third man.
Latham and Ravindra had just passed their 50 run partnership and got the asking rate under nine an over too.
New Zealand still has big hitters Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham, but the bulk of the runs will have to come from that pair and Ravindra now.
Very timely strike from Zampa.
“Whenever he takes wickets, Australia tend to win games,” says Ricky Ponting in commentary.
10.20PM: 30 OVERS DOWN, NEW ZEALAND 3-208
If you believe the cricket saying that teams should double their score from overs 31-50, then New Zealand is right in this game.
Skipper Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra have put on more than 40 runs since Daryl Mitchell’s wicket at better than a run a ball, taking their side to 3-208 with 20 overs left.
New Zealand still needs to go at more than nine an over to win from here, so you would have to say Australia is in front of the game.
But it’s definitely not over yet.
10.09PM: RAVINDRA FIFTY
Rachin Ravindra continues his breakout World Cup with a six off Mitchell Starc to reach fifty.
Ricky Ponting says in commentary that Starc’s line and length has been an issue throughout this innings.
The left-armer is now five overs into his spell and has 0-46 after five overs.
He’s made a telling contribution in the field though with three catches already.
9.57PM: STARC TAKES ANOTHER CATCH
Daryl Mitchell looked aghast after hitting Adam Zampa straight down Mitchell Starc’s throat at long on.
Starc barely had to move to complete his third catch of the innings.
That wicket came at a perfect time for Australia, bringing a 96-run partnership to an end.
New Zealand is 3-171 at the halfway mark and still needs 218 runs for victory.
9.51PM: POWER OUTAGE IN DHARAMSHALA
It’s not affecting the players yet, but one of the light towers has gone out.
Hopefully it’s an issue that is resolved quickly because this match is headed for a thrilling finish by the looks.
9.45PM: MITCHELL FIFTY, NEW ZEALAND IN CONTROL
Daryl Mitchell has another World Cup fifty and has put his side in a promising position chasing what would be a record target of 388.
After 22 overs, the Kiwis are 2-154 needing to go at about 8.4 runs an over from this point.
With so many wickets in hand, this match remains delicately poised despite Australia’s huge total.
“He has just been unbelievable in all formats of the game for New Zealand,” says commentator Simon Doull of Mitchell.
9.22PM: SHOULD KIWIS DARE TO DREAM?
The Aussies must be getting slightly nervous here.
At drinks after 17 overs New Zealand is 2-120 the required run rate is still at a manageable 8.15.
No doubt Australia is in the box seat, but if Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra can push the run rate in the next stanza of play, the prospect of a record run chase will be alive.
8.53PM: c STARC b HAZLEWOOD AGAIN
Josh Hazlewood has got his second wicket and both New Zealand openers are out.
Mitch Starc was in the right spot again to take the catch after the ball caught the outside edge of Will Young’s bat.
Australia are in a good spot now.
8.43PM: STARC REELS IN A STUNNER
Deven Conway is gone after a superb catch from Mitch Starc.
The big quick launched to his right at short fine leg and held on to a sharp chance off Josh Hazlewood.
That’s a big blow for New Zealand.
8.40PM: NEW ZEALAND ROCKETS PAST 50
It’s not quite the 12 an over David Warner and Travis Head started with, but Deven Conway and Will Young are motoring along.
New Zealand is 0-55 after six overs and its hopes of chasing down what would be a World Cup record 388 have increased slightly.
Pat Cummins has turned to Glenn Maxwell to try and halt the momentum.
8.20PM: AUSSIES BURN EARLY REVIEW
Australia thought it had danger man Deven Conway caught behind off Josh Hazlewood, but replays showed the Kiwi opener missed the ball.
It was given not out initially which means Australia is already down one review.
It hasn’t been a great start by the Australian bowlers, with New Zealand 0-26 at the start of the third over thanks to five wides from Mitch Starc.
7.35PM: AUSSIES SET NEW ZEALAND 389 FOR VICTORY
Pat Cummins and Josh Inglis have launched Australia to a total of just under 400 after a jaw-dropping finish to the innings against New Zealand.
The Aussies stagnated from 1-200 after 23 overs to be 6-344 with four overs to face.
That was when Inglis and Cummins put the foot down for two overs.
The Aussie skipper in particular was brutal, belting 27 runs off the 48th over from medium-pacer Jimmy Neesham.
The late flourish allowed Australia to post 388.
It will take a record World Cup run chase from New Zealand to deny the Aussies victory.
Cummins made 37 off 14 balls and Inglis 38 from 28 balls.
Australia lost 4-1 in the last eight balls of a rollercoaster innings.
Pat Cummins has reached his highest ODI score.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 28, 2023
7PM: MAXWELL PUTS SANTNER ON THE ROOF
Australia has gone past 300, but still needs a big finish from Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis to feel content with the target it has set.
And, back-to-back sixes off Mitch Santner in the 43rd over will definitely help.
The first of those went 104m which is the biggest six of the tournament so far.
New Zealand’s slow bowlers have done a great job to peg Australia back after a total beyond 400 looked a monty at 1-200 after 23 overs.
But as he showed against Netherlands, anything is possible with Maxwell at the crease.
With seven overs left, the Aussies are 5-322.
Could they still push a total of 400 from here?
6.40PM: MARNUS CAUGHT IN THE DEEP
Labuschagne gets a top edge to a sweep shot off Santner and is caught by Ravindra in the deep.
Australia has gone from 1-200 after 23 overs to 5-274 after 38.1 overs — losing 4-74 in 91 balls.
Even without the ridiculous start from Warner and Head to maintain, that’s not good.
6.30PM: MARSH SKITTLED AFTER KIWI STRANGLE
Well, that wasn’t in the script for the Aussies.
For so much of this World Cup Mitch Marsh has been the aggressor but he really struggled for 36 from 51 balls today.
In the end Marsh is beaten by a ball from Mitch Santner which turns sharply and bowls him.
Glenn Maxwell is in and suddenly has a huge job to give Australia enough to bowl at on a small ground.
The Aussies are 4-264 with 81 balls remaining.
6PM: STEVE SMITH HOLES OUT
Glenn Phillips has done it again.
Steve Smith bunts a catch straight to Trent Boult and for the first time in his ODI career, Phillips has three wickets.
The only other time he had taken multiple wickets in an ODI was earlier in the World Cup when he managed 2-17 off three overs against England.
The Kiwis have done well to peg the run rate back here.
Marnus Labuschagne is in at No.5.
5.39PM: HEAD FALLS TO PHILLIPS
It’s that man again for New Zealand.
Just as Travis Head looked to up the ante again after reaching his 100, he is bowled by the New Zealand spinner.
Head falls for 109 from 67 balls, an incredible return to the Aussie side.
There would no doubt have been some temptation to send Glenn Maxwell in to continue the rapid scoring, but it’s Steve Smith who joins Mitch Marsh in the middle.
Travis Head has just posted the fastest World Cup century by an Australian player in the best part of three days.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 28, 2023
5.33PM: TRAVIS HEAD CENTURY
Travis Head has a hundred in his first World Cup game.
The opener marks his return from injury by reaching triple figures in 59 balls with 10 fours and six sixes.
Australia is 1-191 after 22 overs.
5.22PM: WARNER CAUGHT AND BOWLED
Glenn Phillips has looked the most likely of New Zealand’s bowlers and he ends David Warner and Travis Head’s partnership with a caught and bowled.
Warner chipped straight back to Phillips and has to go for 81 from 65 balls.
The wicket is unlikely to bring much respite for the Kiwis though as Mitch Marsh joins Travis Head in the middle.
5PM: SANTNER DROPS TRAVIS HEAD
New Zealand desperately needed its first chance to stick but a caught and bowled opportunity was put down by spinner Mitch Santner.
Santner dived away to his right and got a hand to a return opportunity from Travis Head, but couldn’t grasp the catch.
Not long after, Travis Head and David Warner’s 150-run partnership comes up.
In case you haven’t checked the scoreboard above, they’re going at more than 10 runs an over.
Projected scores at the 15-mark have the Aussies posting 503, which would be the first time in history a team has reached 500 in an ODI.
The record is England’s 4-498 against Netherlands in 2022.
4.40PM: AUSTRALIA PASSES 100
This is something to behold — unless you’re a New Zealander.
Travis Head has equalled the fastest 50 of the tournament (25 balls) on his return to the Australian side and David Warner is 55 from 31 balls at the nine-over mark.
Australia passed 100 in the ninth over, which was bowled by Mitchell Santner, and was 0-108 off 54 balls.
Yes, that is 12 runs an over.
It has been a truly stunning 45 minutes of cricket and unsurprisingly the fastest team 100 at this World Cup.
“Some of the best batting I have ever seen from Dave Warner is on display today,” says Shane Watson in commentary.
Australia’s 118 runs in the power play was 24 more than India’s 0-94 against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka’s 2-94 against South Africa, the previous highs at the World Cup.
Warner (65) and Head (50) box office power play 118, outrageous batting. #AUSvNZ#CWC23
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 28, 2023
4.23PM: HEAD, WARNER PUNISH WAYWARD KIWIS
Australia has made a rollicking start after being sent in by Tom Latham, racing to 0-60 from the opening five overs.
On his return to the team from injury, Travis Head capitalised on two free hits in a row from Matt Henry by launching the Kiwi paceman for two sixes.
David Warner’s hot form has also continued, drop kicking Trent Boult into the crowd as he blitzed his way to 26 from 16 balls.
Henry has been on the wrong end of the onslaught, conceding 44 runs in three overs.
Warner and Head’s early demolition job has included six fours and five sixes in five overs.
TEAM, TOSS NEWS: HEAD RETURNS, STOINIS MISSES
Daniel Cherny in Dharamshala
Travis Head returns from his broken hand, named in the Australian XI to face New Zealand.
But Marcus Stoinis remains unavailable as he continues to deal with a niggling calf issue.
It means Marnus Labuschagne holds his spot in the XI, with the sole change to be Head coming in at the expense of Cameron Green.
For New Zealand, Jimmy Neesham is in for Mark Chapman, who is managing a calf problem.
New Zealand won the toss and captain Tom Latham has elected to bowl.
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