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28-Feb-2015 06:52:00 GMT
New Zealand v Australia, Group A, Auckland

New Zealand Beat Australia in Thriller, Reached into Quarter Final

Auckland: Kane Williamson remained not out on 45 as New Zealand clinched by one wicket despite stunning late spell from Mitchell Starc at Eden Park Auckland on Saturday.

New Zealand first team reached into quarter final.

Mitchell Starc bowled Australia to within an inch of an unbelievable victory as New Zealand turned what appeared to a be comfortable run chase into a heart-stopping World Cup epic.

Kane Williamson blasted a six down the ground from Patrick Cummins to complete a one-wicket win – with an incredible 26.5 overs left in the contest.

Trent Boult's five wickets orchestrated a stunning Australian collapse and Brendon McCullum blasted a belligerent 21-ball half-century that looked set to hand Australia a chastening World Cup thumping and blow Pool A wide open.

But Starc typified Australia's never-say-die attitude with 6-28 from nine overs to put Australia within sight of what would have been a memorable victory.

As it was, Williamson was the hero for 40,000 Eden Park faithful, his first six the match-winner in an unbeaten 45.

Mitchell Johnson suffered at the hands of the Black Caps as he saw his first five overs disappear for 68 runs. But it is Australia's batsmen that will most regret the loss that now makes the clash with Sri Lanka at the SCG a must-win encounter to stay in the top two of Pool A.

Staring down the barrel already, McCullum made sure of the result with a blistering half-century made all the more impressive after  played with a throbbing arm that may yet prove to be broken.

McCullum reached his half-century on his 21st delivery by taking 15 runs off four balls from Johnson – a stinging riposte to the stinging blow the Kiwi captain had endured.

McCullum's hitting forced an early change of plans from Australia's bowlers, the introduction of a bat pad and short-pitched attack – the Black Caps captain was subsequently struck on the left elbow by Johnson.

A sizeable lump quickly appeared and McCullum was in obvious discomfort, but did not let it affect his batting.

Wickets to Mitchell Starc either side of the scheduled interval quietened the crowd and gave the Australians belief the impossible could happen as the Black Caps wobbled at 4-79.

The reintroduction of Johnson brought 16 runs and the Black Caps were back on track.

McCullum had Eden Park rocking, continuing the party atmosphere started when Australia's vaunted batting line-up fell in a heap in Auckland.

Earlier, New Zealand paceman Trent Boult took five wickets for just one run in the space of 18 balls as Australia collapsed.

Boult's career-best five for 27 triggered Australia's slump in the key Pool A game as they declined to 106 for nine, having been well-set at 80 for one, after they won the toss and batted on a flat Eden Park pitch.

It was only thanks to a last-wicket stand of 45 between Brad Haddin (43) and Pat Cummins (seven not out) that Australia got past thei lowest World Cup total of 129 against India at Chelmsford in 1983.

Haddin was the last man out, caught of Corey Anderson after hitting four boundaries and two sixes off 41 balls.

Tim Southee took two for 65 while left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori finished with 2-41 as New Zealand's attack carried on from where they left off in dismissing England for 123 last time out in Wellington.

Australia's batting was in a state of chaos as they lost eight wickets for 26 runs in nine overs, with left-arm seamer Boult taking three for five in his second five-over spell.

David Warner, who made 34, gave Australia a confident start in an opening stand of 30 with Aaron Finch (14).

But once Warner and Shane Watson (23) fell off successive deliveries, the innings fell apart.

Warner and Watson looked well set during their 50-run stand for the second wicket but Watson holed out off Vettori's last ball of the 13 over.

Southee removed Warner leg-before off the first ball of the next over as Australia lost their next five wickets in the space of 29 balls.

Vettori had Steven Smith caught behind for four before Boult took over.

Boult, who had figures of 5-0-24-0 in his first spell, removed Glen Maxwell (one) off the inside inside edge and then, two balls later, had Mitchell Marsh playing on for a second-ball duck.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, playing his first international since December following a hamstring injury, drove stright into the hands of short cover in Boult's next over and was out for 12.

Boult then bowled Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in his next over to better his previous ODI best of four for 44 against Sri Lanka at Dunedin last month.

Brief scores
Australia -
151 (Haddin 43, Boult 5-27, Vettori 2-41, Southee 2-65)
New Zealand - 152/9 (McCullum 50, Williamson 45, Starc 6-28, Cummins 2-38)
Result - New Zealand won by 1 wicket
Points - New Zealand 2, Australia 0
MOM - Trent Boult (New Zealand)


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