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Australia Beat New Zealand by Five Runs in World Cup Classic

New Zealand came up just short of completing a world record run-chase as Australia held on for a five-run victory.

The combined tally of 771 runs made this the highest-scoring match in men’s World Cup history and a true classic in Dharamsala.

Australia had posted an impressive 388 and the Black Caps came close, finishing on 383-9 after needing 19 from the final over thanks largely to Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant 116 from 89 balls.

James Neesham was agonisingly run out for 58 off the penultimate ball and last man Lockie Ferguson was unable to hit the six needed from the final delivery.

Earlier, Travis Head’s magnificent 109 from 67 balls, in an opening stand of 175 in 19.1 overs with David Warner, helped Australia to their imposing total of 388. New Zealand spilt four catches, including Head on 70 and 75.

The usually consistent seamers Matt Henry and Trent Boult struggled in the face of Warner and Head’s aggressive start, with the pair smashing 118-0 in the 10-over powerplay – an Australian ODI record.

Part-time spinner Glenn Phillips’ 3-37 were the only respectable figures in Australia’s total, which included 20 sixes.

New Zealand looked downbeat as they left the field but an opening stand of 61 between Devon Conway and Will Young gave Ravindra the platform to excel as he scored freely and kept Australia’s high run-rate within reach.

The Black Caps matched Australia at the 40-over mark, reaching 292-5, but Ravindra fell two balls later to damage their prospects.

James Neesham, with 58 from 39, kept New Zealand in it but was run out on the penultimate delivery of the innings after a replay, setting the Black Caps what was ultimately the impossible task of hitting a six from the final ball.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham said: “It was a fantastic game of cricket. There were ebbs and flows throughout the 100 overs. Obviously to get so close hurts.”

Australia are well-placed for a semi-final spot after recovering from their opening two defeats, while the defeat shouldn’t prove too damaging for New Zealand who won their opening four games and sit third in the table, being level on points with Australia.

/Stewart
Sports news editor