In a nail-biting encounter at Dharamsala, Australia emerged victorious against a determined New Zealand side, extending their World Cup winning streak to four games in a high-scoring thriller.
Chasing 389, New Zealand fought valiantly, with James Neesham’s gallant 58 keeping their hopes alive until the final over. However, Neesham was run out on the second to last ball, leaving last man Lockie Ferguson needing a six from the final delivery.
Despite their best efforts, New Zealand fell just five runs short, finishing at 383-9. Rachin Ravindra’s spectacular 116 led the charge, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Australia’s imposing total of 388 was powered by Travis Head’s brutal 109 off 67 balls. Head’s explosive innings, coupled with David Warner’s aggressive start, set the tone for Australia’s innings.
The opening pair smashed a remarkable 118-0 in the 10-over powerplay, an Australian ODI record. Despite New Zealand’s efforts, sloppy fielding and missed opportunities, including spilled catches, plagued their performance.
Ravindra showcased his class with a phenomenal century, steering New Zealand’s chase. His partnership with Daryl Mitchell (54) kept New Zealand in the hunt, but Ravindra’s dismissal stalled their progress.
Neesham’s late charge, featuring three fours and three sixes, injected hope, but ultimately, Australia’s bowlers held their nerve.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, lauded the game as “awesome” and acknowledged New Zealand’s relentless pursuit. Cummins expressed his team’s intention to relish the victory and focus on the challenges ahead.
New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, praised the game as a “fantastic” display of cricket, emphasizing the ebbs and flows that captivated fans. Latham acknowledged the monumental task of chasing near 400 runs and commended Ravindra’s outstanding innings. Despite falling short, he expressed pride in his team’s efforts.
This high-scoring thriller, with a combined tally of 771 runs, will be remembered as one of the greatest World Cup matches of all time.
Australia’s resurgence after two initial defeats positions them strongly for a spot in the semi-finals, while New Zealand, despite the loss, retains hope due to their strong start with four wins.
