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‘What have you done?’: Australia win ’astonishing’ World Cup thriller

Australia and New Zealand have played out one of the great World Cup matches with the cricket world losing its mind for the thriller.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
16 min read
October 29, 2023 - 6:18AM
Glitch sees DRS change its mind mid-review

Australia have pulled off a stunning five-run victory over New Zealand in one of the great World Cup matches at Dharamshala.

Chasing down Australia’s 388, New Zealand never let the game get out of hand thanks to 23-year-old young gun Rachin Ravindra’s 89-ball 116.

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With five balls left however, Jimmy Neesham, who slammed a 39-ball 58 was facing Mitchell Starc, needing 18 runs to win.

The second ball of the final over was a shocker from Starc, who threw it down the leg side for a wide that raced away for four, taking five runs off the required target with six balls still remaining.

“Mitchell Starc, what have you done here?” Ian Smith screamed in commentary.

It was near disaster for Australia. Photo: Fox Sports
It was near disaster for Australia. Photo: Fox Sports
There's nothing Inglis could have done. Photo: Fox Sports
There's nothing Inglis could have done. Photo: Fox Sports

But Starc fixed his line, going for two runs each off the next three balls to leave seven off two.

A run out of Neesham left the Kiwis needing six off the last ball, but Trent Boult could only manage one.

Neesham almost did the unthinkable. Photo: Fox Sports
Neesham almost did the unthinkable. Photo: Fox Sports

The match is the highest scoring World Cup match in history with 771 runs scored across the two innings.

“Astonishing, astonishing,” Ian Smith said after the game.

It was a truly remarkable game from the outset as Australia plundered the New Zealand bowlers with David Warner and Travis Head combining for a 175-run partnership in just 115 balls.

The reunited duo, after Head came back from his broken hand, bullied the Kiwi bowlers, including taking 118 runs from the first 10 overs, the third most expensive first 10 overs in history.

But while Warner left the party first for 81 off 65 balls, Travis Head continued, brutalising a century in just 59 balls in what was his first World Cup match.

Never break your hand again Travis. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Never break your hand again Travis. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Head was tremendous. Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP
Head was tremendous. Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP

It’s the fastest century for an ODI debutant in history, the third fastest hundred of the current World Cup and the fourth fastest in Australian ODI history.

Unfortunately Head was soon dismissed — with the score on 200 in just the 24th over — bowled by Glenn Phillips, and the momentum of the game began to shift as the Aussie middle order struggled against the New Zealand slow bowlers.

The wild swings weren’t over however, with Josh Inglis coming to the crease at 5/274 and surviving a review on his second ball.

The ball from Mitchell Santner was deemed to have less than half the ball clipping the leg stump.

Ian Smith said: “Trying to explain to someone from Mars about that is very difficult because had he been given out, he stays out, he’s been given not out, he’s not out.”

The New Zealand great wasn’t the only person frustrated by the call.

It was the luck Australia need to press on through after a 24-ball 41 from Glenn Maxwell, including the biggest six of the World Cup so far at 104m, which landed on the roof of the Dharamshala grandstand swung the momentum back in Australia’s direction.

When Maxwell was dismissed, 38 off 28 for Josh Inglis and an insane 14-ball 37 from Pat Cummins pushed the Aussies to just shy of 400.

Just Maxy being Maxy. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Just Maxy being Maxy. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Australia also became the first team in ODI history to have scored three consecutive innings over 350+.

While it looked like another big win could be on the cards with the biggest successful chase in World Cup history being set at 345 by Pakistan against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament, the Kiwis showed little fear of the mammoth total and ensured the run rate required never got out of hand.

New Zealand’s 23-year-old prodigy Ravindra led the way with his second ODI century — and second of the tournament — and was ably supported by Daryl Mitchell’s 51-ball 54.

Ravindra was brilliant throughout the chase and was handed a life the ball after bringing up his century, when he bunted the ball straight back to Glenn Maxwell, only for the Aussie to spill the catch.

Aaron Finch was stunned.

“It’s just a regulation return catch,” Finch said. “He can’t believe it, no one can believe it.”

Rachin Ravindra, remember the name. Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP
Rachin Ravindra, remember the name. Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP

For Australia, thankfully it didn’t come back to bite them as they claimed the classic victory.

The result doesn’t change the ladder positions with New Zealand still third and Australia fourth, but it opens up a four point gap over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan — although only Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have a game in hand.

New Zealand next play South Africa on Wednesday, while Australia have a full week off before playing England next Saturday.

11.20pm – Another one down

This is getting tense now.

Australia have their seventh wicket after Mitchell Santner was caught, skying a ball as he attacked Adam Zampa.

New Zealand still need 69 runs but have just three wickets left.

Lockie Ferguson also suffered an Achilles injury in the first innings, so they may have just two wickets left.

11.06pm – ‘Unbelievable innings’ comes to an end

Rachin Ravindra, remember the name.

The New Zealander has blasted 116 to give his nation a shot at chasing down a record World Cup score of 388.

But he’s been dismissed in the 41st over, caught on the long-off boundary by Marnus Labuschagne.

It’s the wicket Australia as been fighting for but it was an exceptional knock from the young man, who wouldn’t have been playing had Kane Williamson been fit.

“Take a bow, young man,” Aaron Finch said in commentary. “Unbelievable innings.”

10.51pm – Maxy’s ‘shocker’ as prodigy does unthinkable

Glenn Maxwell has had a mare. Photo: Fox Sports
Glenn Maxwell has had a mare. Photo: Fox Sports

You’d think 388 would be enough, but New Zealand young gun Rachin Ravindra is keeping his nation alive in the record chase — although not without a little assistance.

Ravindra has brought up a huge century, smoking Glenn Maxwell for a six to bring up a famous ton.

It’s the 23-year-old’s second ODI hundred, both of which have come in this tournament.

Having brought up his hundred with a six, Shane Watson said “that is outrageous”.

But the drama wasn’t over as Ravindra chipped the next ball back to the usually safe hands of Glenn Maxwell, only for the Aussie star to drop a sitter.

The next ball was bunted straight back at the allrounder, and it’s gone straight through the hands.

Aaron Finch was stunned.

“It’s just a regulation return catch,” Finch said. “He can’t believe it, no one can believe it.”

It was an eventful over as Glenn Phillips was then caught by Marnus Labuschagne to make it five down.

Incredibly, both sides are on exactly the same score with 10 overs to go as New Zealand reach 5/292 with 10 overs to go.

That’s 97 runs.

10.26pm – Australia needed that

New Zealand captain Tom Latham is out as Adam Zampa struck again.

The Kiwis’ chase has not been out of control yet in the historic chase with young gun Rachin Ravindra moving along to 71 off 61.

But the Black Caps are 4/222 in the 32nd over, still needing 167 runs at nine an over.

9.55pm – Zampa strikes

Daryl Mitchell has been taking it to Adam Zampa but the Aussie spinner has had the last laugh after the Kiwi batter holed out on the mid-on boundary when Mitchell Starc too his third catch of the night.

Mitchell had kept the run-rate going with his 51-ball 54 before he went over the top one too many times.

However, the game is still in the balance as New Zealand are 3/168 at the end of 24 overs.

8.55pm – C: Starc, B: Hazlewood again

Mitchell Starc has the magic hands at Dharamshala, taking a second catch as the Kiwi openers are back in the pavilion.

It was a bright start from the Kiwis but Australia have pegged it back as Will Young followed Devon Conway back.

Hazlewood ran his fingers down the seam, earning the edge and the Kiwis are 2/72.

8.45pm – First wicket down after fast start

New Zealand have had a quick start to their chase but Josh Hazlewood has snagged the first wicket.

A ball down the leg side, Devon Conway clipped down to fine leg, but Mitchell Starc took a diving catch as he was inside the circle, making it 1/61 in the eighth over.

What a catch from Mitchell Starc. Photo: Fox Sports
What a catch from Mitchell Starc. Photo: Fox Sports

While it’s not the start that Australia had, it’s been an enterprising from New Zealand, who are just ahead of the required run rate.

Ian Smith lamented the loss of the wicket.

“That was a free one, ‘why did I hit it within six feet of Mitchell Starc?’” Smith said as Conway screamed at the heavens.

7.38pm – Australia all out for 388

Australia’s innings has been a wild ride after an electric start and finish sandwiched a dour middle as the side make 388.

But it was a solid fight back from New Zealand who at times were facing well over 400 after Australia reached 200 in the 24th over.

The Kiwi spinners, especially Glenn Philips who finished with 3/37 off 10 overs, tightened it up in the middle, as it took almost 12 overs to bring up the next 50 before exploding late.

A 24-ball 41 from Glenn Maxwell, 38 off 28 for Josh Inglis and an insane 14-ball 37 from Pat Cummins pushed the Aussies to just shy of 400.

It’ll need a record run chase from New Zealand to claim the win — the previous highest winning World Cup chase is 345 by Pakistan against Sri Lanka earlier in this tournament.

On Fox Cricket, Kerry O’Keeffe was giddy at the prospect of another big win for Australia.

“Australia has played the perfect innings,” O’Keeffe said. “Head and Warner at the top, only the No. 3 (Mitch Marsh) and No. 5 (Marnus Labuschagne) probably got it wrong, everybody else played their role, 388, looks a moral to win.

“All I know is that Tom Latham won the toss. The sky was bluer than Rodney Rude, the pitch was harder than algebra — and he sent us in! Like, what’s going on?

Kerry O'Keeffe roasted the Kiwis. Photo: Getty Images
Kerry O'Keeffe roasted the Kiwis. Photo: Getty Images

“I played when Richie Benaud had jet black hair but I know … and he said ‘it’s a morning game, we’re sending them in’. Every game used to start in the morning. The ball went gun barrel straight. They put on 118 with a swizzle stick. It was just ridiculous.

“I’ve lost it. I just cannot believe the rationale because Pat Cummins got it right. He said: ‘This looks a good pitch, it’ll get slow’ brackets, and then we’ll bowl them out for 120. They won’t be able to find the boundary.”

7.20pm – 350 up for Australia

There’s still just over three overs left and Australia have brought up the 350.

A 24-ball 41 from Glenn Maxwell, including the biggest six of the World Cup so far at 104m, which landed on the roof of the Dharamshala grandstand swung the momentum back in Australia’s direction.

Josh Inglis and Pat Cummins then ensured the Kiwis would have to motor at over seven runs an over for their entire 50 overs, passing the magical 350 mark for the third straight time.

It’s the first time a nation has ever made 350+ in three consecutive ODI matches.

6.50pm – World Cup controversy re-erupts

It’s happened again.

Just last night in South Africa’s one wicket win over Pakistan, Tabraiz Shamsi was given not out late in the match, only for replays to come back “umpire’s call” and the Proteas held on for the win.

The umpire’s call has become a bugbear for fans who claim that if the ball is hitting the stumps, it should be out.

So less than 24 hours later after an epic fightback from New Zealand, of course it happened again.

Should this have been out? Photo: Fox Sports
Should this have been out? Photo: Fox Sports

Having come to the crease at 5/274, Josh Inglis survived his second ball in an almost identical way.

The ball from Mitchell Santner was deemed to have less than half the ball clipping the leg stump.

Ian Smith said: “Trying to explain to someone from Mars about that is very difficult because had he been given out, he stays out, he’s been given not out, he’s not out.”

The New Zealand great wasn’t the only person frustrated by the call.

6.40pm – Another one bites the dust

So much for dreams of 500.

Australia have lost the fifth wicket — Marnus Labuschagne for 18 — as New Zealand’s fight back continues.

It’s 5/275

“They (New Zealand) were out of it, Head and Warner had put them out of it from the get go,” Ian Smith said in commentary.

“And they’re clawing their way back in to the point now where Australia’s last recognised batsman is at the crease in the 39th over.”

Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis survived a close call on his first ball.

6.33pm – Maybe it’s not as easy as it seems

Travis Head has made a career of making tricky pitches look like absolute roads but his 67-ball 109 may have done his teammates dirty as the middle order struggles against New Zealand.

Mitchell Marsh was the fourth wicket for 36 off 51 balls when he was bowled by Mitchell Santner.

It had been a frustrating innings for Marsh but it has proven tricky after Australia raced to 200 in the 24th over.

By the 37th over when Marsh was dismissed, Australia were 4/264.

6pm – Australia come back to earth

If this was a T20, we’d be in pretty good shape.

Unfortunately the game has continued after the 20th over and Glenn Philips is the destroyer.

Philips dismissed Steve Smith for 18, taking his third wicket after being by far the most economical bowler.

Smith looked to chip over the infield but bunted it straight to Trent Boult on the edge of the ring.

While every other bowler has gone for over six and over — over seven to be honest — Philips has bowled 9 over at just 3.33 with figures of 3/30 at the end of his ninth over.

5.40pm – Debuts don’t get better than that

Travis Head has gone big, he wants to go huge. Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP
Travis Head has gone big, he wants to go huge. Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP

Travis Head is brutalised a century in just 59 balls as Australia put New Zealand to the sword.

It’s Head’s first ever World Cup match, let alone hundred and he’s done it easy.

It's the fastest century for an ODI debutant in history, the third fastest hundred of the current World Cup and the fourth fastest in Australian ODI history.

Head celebrated by sticking his tongue out and didn’t even remove his cap, making it seem like he was set for a much bigger total.

In commentary, Ricky Ponting said that Head had said he’d had just two hits against tennis balls before getting on the plane to India.

Unfortunately for Head, he was bowled by Glenn Philips for 109 off 67 balls soon after with the score now 2/200 off 23.2 overs.

5.23pm – Warner the first man out

It won’t be three straight centuries for David Warner who has bunted the ball back to Glenn Philips for a sensational 65-ball 81.

Warner teed off with five fours and six sixes against New Zealand but fell just short of bringing up triple figures once again.

But after 19.1 overs, it’s 1/175, and Mitchell Marsh is coming to the crease.

God have mercy on New Zealand’s souls!

5.10pm – Australia slow down

Sadly, it doesn’t look like 600 is on the cards any more.

The spinners are starting to slow the Aussies down. After 15 overs, it’s 0/150, with the run rate dipping under 10 for the first time.

It means that if the Aussies can keep this pace, they will only score about 500 runs.

For the record, the world record total in ODIs is 4/498 held by England — a run rate of 9.96.

At drinks, Australia at 0/158 off 17 overs.

4.50pm – Third best powerplay in history

New Zealand may be regretting sending Australia in.

Travis Head and David Warner have bludgeoned the Kiwi bowlers to all parts of the Dharamshala ground hitting 0/118 off the first 10 overs.

Incredibly, Warner hit his 50 off just 27 balls, followed soon by Head, who took just 25 balls, the fastest 50 so far in the World Cup. It’s not been a bad comeback for Head, who is recovering from a broken hand.

In the first powerplay, it’s the third biggest score of all-time, and Australia’s best ever start.

The only tallies to beat them are Sri Lanka’s 0/133 against England in 2006 and the West Indies’ 1/119 against Canada at the 2003 World Cup.

4.25pm – Stunning start by the Aussie openers

Australia’s openers are in some mood early after being sent in to bat.

After just five overs, the Aussie pair of David Warner and the returning Travis Head had already put 60 runs on the board.

“This is brutal. It really is. And it’s going to stay,” New Zealand great Ian Smith said in commentary.

“This is pressure New Zealand have not felt for a long time. It’s just absolutely savage.

“Three dot balls to end the (fifth) over, which is good news. The bad news is it’s 60 for none.”

M Satyakam, commenting on the match on X, echoed the thoughts of Aussie fans and neutrals when he applauded Head’s return.

At the end of seven overs, the Aussie duo was showing no signs of slowing down, putting 86 runs on the board at an average of over 12 per over.

Warner was on 43 from 24 deliveries, with Head right there on 40 from just 20 balls.

4.10pm – Aussie openers off to an explosive start

Having sent the Australian side in to bat, New Zealand would be targeting some tight bowling and, ideally, some early wickets.

Not so much.

The returning Travis Head and David Warner took 14 runs from the first two overs in a strong start.

But the fireworks really began in the third over, which proved a nightmare for Kiwi quick Matt Henry, conceding 22 runs.

The highlight for Australia was a free hit for Head from a no ball, which he duly dispatched for six.

“Where will this go to?” Ian Smith speculated as the ball was delivered.

“Halfway up the Himalayas, that’s where it went,” he replied to himself.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting jumped in on the action too in commentary.

“It’s in the Hyatt Regency that one Smithy, that’s where we left from this morning,” he beamed.

“Took us about 45 minutes to get down, might take them the same amount of time to get that ball back.”

3.45pm – Shock call in the Australian line-up

As you can read below, most of the speculation for the Australian side revolved around Marnus Labuschagne.

The expectation was he would be the man to make way for Travis Head if the latter was fit to play.

But the Aussies went in a different direction, as skipper Pat Cummins announced when New Zealand won the toss and sent his side in.

“One change, Travis Head comes back in and Cam Green is the unfortunate guy to miss out,” he said.

“Anyone in our squad feels like they can step in and have a role to play, but Trav’s record has been awesome, just missed out (against Netherlands) a couple of days ago, but he thinks he’s ready now.”

Travis Head proved his fitness in the lead-up to the match. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Travis Head proved his fitness in the lead-up to the match. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
All-rounder Cameron Green has been dropped for Saturday’s match. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
All-rounder Cameron Green has been dropped for Saturday’s match. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

3.35pm – Kiwis win the toss and send Australia in to bat

The first huge call of the day has taken place, with stand-in New Zealand captain Tom Latham winning the toss and sending the Aussies in.

“We’re going to have a bowl. It looks a reasonably decent surface, obviously being a slightly earlier start, might give us a bit of assistance with the new ball.”

New Zealand made one change, bringing in all-rounder James Neesham for Mark Chapman.

3.25pm – Kerry O’Keeffe is ready for this one

The man they call “Skull” is already in form ahead of this huge match.

Discussing the Australian team and the likely return of Travis Head, former Test spinner O’Keeffe had this pearl of wisdom in a chat with Brendon Julian on Fox Cricket.

“One guy that may play tonight could be Travis Head boys, what do you think?” Julian asked.

“Well first up from a spell, the Australians are putting a lot of responsibility on Travis’ head,” O’Keeffe replied.

There’s a pause as the line sinks in, before Julian says “I like that”.

“I didn’t mean that!” O’Keeffe replied.

Leave it to Skull to add some colour to what will be a long night, even when he doesn’t mean it.

2.30pm – ‘He’s got to’: Bold call Aussies must make

Australia have resurrected their World Cup campaign and now look set to welcome opener Travis Head back into the line-up.

The addition of the swashbuckling left-hander will cause a ripple effect in the batting order with former skipper Steve Smith the likely man to be hit.

After overcoming a broken hand, Head is tipped to partner with David Warner at the top of the innings for the Aussies.

Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh said if Head is selected, the only spot for him in the line-up is at the top.

“If Travis Head plays, he’s got to open the innings,” Waugh said to Fox Cricket.

“Hopefully he can slot back in and have the impact he’s had over the last 12 months.”

Smith could be forced down the order. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Smith could be forced down the order. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Head is raring to go. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Head is raring to go. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The return will likely result in Marnus Labuschagne being axed from the starting XI with Steve Smith sliding out of his favoured spot at first drop.

“It’s a different sort of mindset I think, when you come in at three to four,” Smith said.

“I got told if Trav was playing that I was going to be batting four.

“I’ll do whatever the team wants. I’ve got a pretty good record at three, so I was a bit shocked in a way, but I’ll do what I need to for the team.”

Smith found form against Netherlands on Wednesday night as he scored 71 runs from 68 balls as the Aussies scored a historic win.

2pm – Stoinis, Head attempt to state their cases

In the lead-up to Saturday’s huge match, Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head were doing their best to prove they were ready to return to action.

Stoinis (centre) will be desperate to reclaim his place in the side. (Photo by R.Satish BABU / AFP)
Stoinis (centre) will be desperate to reclaim his place in the side. (Photo by R.Satish BABU / AFP)

As Daniel Cherny reported for CODE Sports, skipper Pat Cummins was keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the big clash.

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“I don’t know to be honest,” Cummins replied when asked about the two ahead of training, although we’re not sure he was being totally honest.

Stoinis was kept from the victory over the Netherlands with calf soreness, while Head is just about 100 per cent after recovering from a broken hand.

Australia will face the Black Caps at Dharamshala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday, with the first ball scheduled for 4pm AEDT.

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