In a nail-biting encounter at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, Australia emerged victorious in a final-over thriller against New Zealand, defending a formidable target of 389 runs by a mere 5 runs. This victory marked Australia's fourth consecutive win in the tournament, following their initial two defeats against India and South Africa.
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch, in an interview with the BBC after the match, emphasized that the team is gradually finding its groove. He attributed this progress to the increasing trust among players in each other's abilities within the squad.
"They're really starting to take shape," Finch said.
"It is the confidence that the players have in their own game and each other's game," he further added.
Australia's strategic change for the match against New Zealand involved bringing in Travis Head in place of Cameron Green. Head played a pivotal role, notching up a fantastic century, which propelled the team to their highest-ever ODI total against New Zealand. Finch commended Australia's bench strength, highlighting the formidable firepower waiting on the sidelines.
"And when you look at the players not in the Australia XI at the minute there's some serious power in Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green who could potentially come back into that middle order," Finch said about the Australian team.
The Australian team is hitting its stride at a crucial juncture in the tournament, notably achieving three consecutive 350+ totals in their previous three matches. Pat Cummins' side displayed their dominance by overwhelming Pakistan and Netherlands in their recent encounters and engaging in a thrilling contest against New Zealand.
As they advance to the business end of the tournament, Australia's momentum and depth in their squad position them as strong contenders. Their next challenge awaits in the form of a clash with England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, promising another exciting chapter in the ODI World Cup 2023.
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