Australia defeated New Zealand by 5 runs in the last over finish in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Australia have won four matches in the tournament.
Jimmy Neesham played a good knock for New Zealand while chasing 388, but his run-out resulted in Australia’s win. Tom Latham-led side was in the hunt with Neesham blazing all guns, but he had to depart after scoring 58 runs off 39 balls, with the help of 3 fours and as many sixes.
Mitchell Starc, who was the most expensive Australian bowler in the contest, kept his cool on the last delivery and prevented the batter from hitting a six.
Earlier, Travis Head (109) and David Warner (81) were unstoppable and gave a flying start to the team. Latham introduced Glenn Phillips, who dismissed both the openers to bring his team back.
However, Glenn Maxwell (41), Josh Inglis (37), and Pat Cummins (37) hit lusty blows to take the five-time champions to 388 in 49.2 0vers.
Trent Boult and Phillips accounted for three wickets each, while Mitchell Santner took 2 scalps.
Chasing a big target, the 2019 finalists saw a blistering century by youngster Rachim Ravindra, who amassed 116 runs off 89 balls, laced with 9 fours and 5 sixes. Daryl Mitchell played a handy knock of 54 balls, which kept the scorecard ticking.
But the fall of wickets at regular intervals made the match close, with Australia prevailing in the end. Adam Zampa was again the star bowler for the Aussies as he added three more wickets to his growing tally in the global event.
(crictoday)
