World Cup 2015 Match 20 Australia v New Zealand Review; Kiwis win an exciting match

World Cup 2015 Match 20 Australia v New Zealand Review; Kiwis win an exciting match: This was the most exciting match after India-Pakistan.  World Cup hosts Australia and New Zealand met in a group A encounter at Eden Park for a match that is also considered for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Australia chose to bat on a venomous pitch and the effects were almost immediate. Last match’s centurion Finch got out to Southee for 14. David Warner and Shane Watson stuck together for another 50 runs. But after that, New Zealand started taking wickets regularly. Warner went for 34 and Watson departed for 23. After their departures, Australia slumped down to 97/6 thanks to some great bowling by Daniel Vettori who took 2/41 and Trent Boult who took a career best 5/27. The only reprieve came from Brad Haddin who scored 43 runs, but ultimately failed to take Australia to 200. Australia was bowled out for 151 runs in 32.2 overs.

The Kiwi chase was not any better. They lost Martin Guptill early for 11, but McCullum (50) and Kane Williamson (45*) kept the runs ticking. But Mitchell Starc struck removing Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot for cheap. Corey Anderson kept Williamson company for some time, but Glen Maxwell removed him to trigger another collapse and New Zealand was 9-146 with 5 runs required and 1 wicket in hand. But they could not take the last wicket and Williamson took New Zealand home with 1 wicket in hand. Mitchell Starc took 6/28 in his 9 overs.

This was a sort of match in which 2 evenly matched teams gave the spectators a match to remember. Australia never lost their spirit despite scoring 151 and New Zealand proved that they were a team to beat in this World cup. The efforts of Mitchell Starc did go in vain, but a true fan of the game will definitely applaud his 6/28 as much as he would applaud Trent Boult’s 5/27.

Trent Boult got the Man of the match award for his career best 5/27.

Brief Scores:
Australia 151 32.2 overs(B Haddin 43, D Warner 34; T Boult 5/27)lost to New Zealand 152/9 23.1 overs (B McCullum 50,K Williamson 45*;M Starc 6/28) by 1 wicket.