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In a match that will go down as one of the most fiercely contested game in ODI World Cup history, Australia defeated New Zealand by five runs at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on October 28 (Saturday). In a game in which 771 runs were scored, 95 boundaries (64 fours and 31 sixes) were smashed and players from both sides left everything out on the field, it was the Baggy Greens who held their nerve to clinch an all-important win.
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Chasing a daunting target like 389 runs required a lot of temperament and skill from the New Zealand batters. Devon Conway got off to a flying start before his attractive knock was cut short by a brilliant catch by Mitchell Starc off Josh Hazlewood's bowling. The left-handed batter scored 28 runs off 17 balls with the help of six fours. Conway's opening partner Will Young also got a start but could only score 32 runs off 37 balls with the help of four fours and one six.
Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell took the game to Australia and displayed intent despite the team losing two wickets. While Ravindra played the role of an anchor to begin his innings, Mitchell used his form and power to accumulate runs at a rapid pace to keep the required run rate in check. After bludgeoning six fours and one six, Mitchell was dismissed by Adam Zampa for 54 runs off 51 balls.
After Mitchell's dismissal, Ravindra played some audacious and flawless on the way to completing his second century of the tournament. Even when the wickets kept falling at the other end, Ravindra kept his composure and found boundaries at regular intervals. Just when the left-handed batter was looking set to take his team to the promised land, he faltered and had to take the long walk back to the pavilion. Ravindra scored 116 runs off 89 balls with the help of nine fours and five sixes.
After Ravindra's dismissal, the Blackcaps still had a lot of work to do and James Neesham, who was included in the playing XI for this match, played an outstanding knock under tremendous pressure. In his innings, Neesham smashed three fours and as many sixes while scoring 58 runs off 39 balls. On the penultimate ball of the match, Neesham was run out while desperately wanting to keep the strike.
Needing six runs from the final ball, a hobbled Lockie Ferguson tried his best to smack the ball out of the park but his effort went in vain. As a result, the Baggy Greens clinched the game by the barest of the margins by restricting New Zealand to 383/9 in 50 overs.
For Australia, Zampa was the pick of all bowlers as the leg-spinner bagged three wickets. Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bagged two wickets each while Glenn Maxwell chipped in with one wicket.
Earlier, Australia showcased their batting prowess in a thrilling World Cup clash against New Zealand, amassing a formidable total of 388 runs despite a middle-order wobble. Travis Head's stunning century and David Warner's aggressive half-century set the stage for Australia's imposing innings.
Head, who replaced Cameron Green in the playing eleven, made an explosive debut in the tournament, teaming up with Warner to deliver a destructive opening partnership of 175 runs in just 19.1 overs. Head's remarkable innings of 109 runs from 67 balls left New Zealand's bowlers reeling as he took on their attack with aggressive strokes.
Warner, equally dominant, contributed 81 runs from 65 balls and provided solid support to Head during their partnership. The duo displayed exceptional form and control, confidently executing pulls, cuts, and drives to accumulate runs all over the field.
Australia's aggressive approach was further aided by lapses in New Zealand's fielding, with several dropped catches adding to their woes. Additionally, New Zealand missed the services of Lockie Ferguson, who left the field with an Achilles injury after conceding 38 runs in three overs.
After Warner's dismissal, the Kiwi spin trio of Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra applied the brakes on Australia's scoring, capitalizing on a pitch that appeared to have slowed down. This middle-order struggle saw the fall of key wickets, including Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne.
With Australia at 274/5, they needed a momentum boost, which came from Glenn Maxwell (41 runs off 24 balls), Josh Inglis (38 runs off 28 balls), and captain Pat Cummins (37 runs off 14 balls). Their collective efforts ensured that Australia reached a formidable total of 388 runs.
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