Australia edge out New Zealand in thrilling World Cup encounter
The 27th match of the World Cup (World Cup 2023) saw thrilling clash between Australia and New Zealand. The Australian team started changing its complexion after two defeats in the beginning of the mega event. After scoring a hat-trick of wins, the Aussies team clashed with New Zealand. After Pakistan and South Africa, this was the second exciting match in the World Cup. Even after making a huge score of 388 runs by Australia in the first innings, the match went to the last ball to decide the winner.
New Zealand won the toss and invited the Aussies to bat first. After which the 5 time World Cup winners made threatened to score well over 400. David Warner played an innings of 81 runs, at the other end Travis Head scored 109 runs in just 67 balls. Head’s innings included 10 fours and 7 sixes. In the lower order, Maxwell, Josh Inglis and captain Cummins also played quick fire innings of 41, 38, 37 runs. Thanks to these innings, the Australian team had set a huge target of 389 runs for New Zealand.
Rachin Ravindra hits second century of World Cup
New Zealand’s batting had a mountain to climb at the picturesque cricket stadium in Dharamshala. But New Zealand’s star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra scored a counter attacking century to keep his team in the with a chance. Ravindra played an inning of 116 runs in just 89 balls, which included 9 fours and 5 sixes. Apart from this, Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham gave the black caps momentum with their quick half-centuries.
Last ball thriller
The excitement between Australia and New Zealand was such that the result of the match came on the last ball. James Neesham’s half-century had put this match on the balance. New Zealand needed 19 runs to win in the last over. At the same time, the team needed 9 runs in the last 3 balls to win. But James Neesham’s innings ended on the penultimate delivery while going for a second run. In the end New Zealand needed runs of the final delivery which they were unable to score due to which Australia won the match by 5 runs.
Even though Australia won this match. But the black caps have registered its name in the pages of World Cup history. It has become the first team in the history of the World Cup to score 383 runs while chasing.
