Australia vs New Zealand Match Highlights & Results

Right then, we have had a couple of nail-bitters in a row and the World Cup now seems to be kicking into fifth gear. Australia are on a steep rise while New Zealand find themselves on the verge of a dogfight for a semifinal place. A lot of action is still left on this double-header Saturday as the chase is on in the other game. Bangladesh are chasing 230 for victory against Netherlands in Kolkata and you can simply switch tabs and catch our coverage of that game. Cheers!

Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, says that it was an awesome game. Adds that he had to remember that he was a player and not a spectator in the crowd. Mentions that New Zealand kept coming at them. On Travis Head, he says that he was away for the last five weeks and the intent shown by him and David Warner was pleasing to see. Adds that Head surprised them all with his knock. Reckons that it was a good wicket and they bowled well in patches. Credits Marnus Labuschagne for the way he threw himself around in the field to save runs. Ends by saying that it is great to win four games in a row.

New Zealand's skipper Tom Latham says that it was a fantastic game. Adds that there were ebbs and flows throughout. Shares that Australia caught them on the back foot with the way they batted early on. Feels that it was about taking wickets but at the same time, containing the runs. Reckons that they were there and thereabouts in the game. On Glenn Phillips' bowling, he says that he bowled well under pressure and got wickets at crucial times. On Rachin Ravindra he says that it was one of the better knocks you will see while chasing. Appreciates the support from the crowd in Dharamsala. Ends by saying that they will be up to watch New Zealand play in the Rugby World Cup final and cannot wait to watch the game.

Travis Head is the Player of the Match for his quickfire ton early in the game. He starts by saying that it is nice to be back. Adds that it was good to contribute and get the win. Shares that he had only a couple of hits leading up to the game. States that it was like the World Test Championship final where he had off for 6 or 7 weeks. Reckons that his fielding is something he would like to sharpen in the coming days. On his partnership with David Warner, he says that they play together well and complement each other well. Further adds that they try to be as positive as they can.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl first on a track that looked devoid of some grass and paid the price as the opening pair of David Warner and Travis Head put on 175 runs for the first wicket. Travis Head went on to score a stellar ton on his World Cup debut and then quick and useful contributions from the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis and skipper Pat Cummins meant that Australia got close to the 400-run mark. For New Zealand, their main man upfront, Matt Henry had a poor outing with the ball and Lockie Ferguson got injured after bowling a few overs. It was Glenn Phillips who proved to be their best bet with three big wickets and then Trent Boult cleaned up the lower order at the death. Coming to the chase, it was topsy-turvy all the way through but those wickets at the right moments meant, New Zealand had a tailender batting at the other end and they made sure, they saved every single run in the field to seal the win by 5 runs.

New Zealand and heartbreaks is quite the story at World Cups and the trend continues here as well. They had their task cut out with the bat and they gave it a real go but it just wasn't enough. Openers, Devon Conway and Will Young started briskly but got out in succession and then the mantle was taken on by an in-form Devon Conway and young Rachin Ravindra who really got the Kiwis into a position of promise. Mitchell got out after a half-century but Ravindra went all the way to score his second ton in this World Cup. They did lose a few wickets at the wrong time and James Neesham had to pull off a miracle to get them near the finish line but he was undone by some impeccable fielding in the final over, handing New Zealand their second-successive loss.

After putting on a mammoth score of 388 runs on the board, all Australia needed early wickets and after a bit of toiling, they did get two quick wickets. It was Josh Hazlewood with the double-blow but after that, they were put under the pump for a while. They knew, with every wicket they got, the scoreboard pressure would mount on the opposition and Adam Zampa proved to be the star as he picked up three big wickets. Skipper Pat Cummins too changed the game with a couple of smart wickets in the last 10 overs but it got too close for comfort in the end and a couple of sensational fielding efforts in the deep were required for the Aussies to get over the line.

AUSTRALIA ARE ALIVE, THE WORLD CUP IS ALIVE AND ODI CRICKET IS WELL AND TRULY ALIVE! What a finish to the highest-scoring game ever in World Cup history and it is Mitchell Starc and the fielders who hold their nerves right at the death to seal a memorable win.

Mitchell Starc to Lockie Ferguson, No run.Mitchell Starc has done it for Australia! Switches to 'round the wicket and delivers it on a fullish length, outside off, Lockie Ferguson gives himself room but fails to get the elevation and can only hit this one along the ground towards cover. Joy on the faces of Mitchell Starc and the rest of the Aussies. Australia win this thriller by 5 runs!

A hobbling Lockie Ferguson is the last man in. A six will win it for New Zealand, anything else and Australia will take the win.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, OUT! run out (Marnus Labuschagne / Josh Inglis).OUT! RUN OUT! Body blow for New Zealand! A 'Superman' effort by Josh Inglis to dismiss James Neesham! Mitchell Starc misses his length as he hurls a knee-high full toss, at the batter, James Neesham gets cramped for room and gets hurried as he tries to heave it away. He does not time it well and has no option to return for the second run. Marnus Labuschagne swoops in quickly and releases the throw towards the batting end. Josh Inglis grabs it cleanly and stretches out with his left hand to disturb the woodwork. The replays show that the full-length dive by James Neesham was not enough for him to reach his ground.

Is that a run-out? It looks like James Neesham might be short of his crease and that could be game over for New Zealand. The replays roll in and they show that Josh Inglis did a great job of diving and getting to knock off the bails in time. Neesham's dive didn't save him and the decision of OUT comes up on the big screen.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 2 runs.Sensational save in the deep by Marnus Labuschagne! On a length, slanting in, on middle and leg, James Neesham goes deep in his crease and slogs it towards deep mid-wicket where Marnus Labuschagne throws himself to his left on the boundary and keeps the ball in play. Two runs taken.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 2 runs.Great stop by Glenn Maxwell! Right up there, on off, James Neesham drills it hard down the wicket. Mitchell Starc gets a hand on it in his follow through which reduces the pace of the delivery. Glenn Maxwell at long on, sprints and tumbles to his right to save a couple of runs for his side.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 2 runs.Fullish delivery, angling in, on middle and leg, James Neesham swats this one away and gets it wide of deep mid-wicket for two runs more.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 5 Wides!FIVE WIDES! Oh, dear! Mitchell Starc, what have you done? Tries to zone in at the toes, on a fullish length but the angle takes the ball past James Neesham and the ball rears off the footmark to go over the leaping Josh Inglis for a boundary. Bonus runs for New Zealand.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult, 1 run.A direct hit and Trent Boult was gone! Strac charges in from around the wicket and goes on a fullish length, at the stumps, Trent Boult moves leg side and stabs it towards extra cover. He sets off for a single and the ball comes at a good height for Marnus Labuschagne but he fails to hit the target at the non-striker's end.

Right then, 19 needed from 6 balls but Trent Boult will face the first delivery of the final over. Australia will have one less boundary rider for the final over. Can Mitchell Starc defend 18 runs and get his side the win? Or will we see shades of 2015? Let's find out.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, No run.Good finish to the over from Josh Hazlewood! Another on a yorker length, outside off, James Neesham tries to get underneath the delivery but fails to do and can only hit it back to the bowler.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, No run.Full and angling away, near the tramline on off, James Neesham fails to squeeze this one out on the off side. The perfect wide yorker!

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, Four!FOUR! In the gap and that will be FIFTY for James Neesham! Josh Hazlewood goes short now, over middle, James Neesham picks the change of pace and sets himself up nicely and early. Pulls it to the right of deep square leg for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, 2 runs.Full and outside off, James Neesham reaches out and carves it to the left of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Josh Hazlewood to Trent Boult, 1 run.Into the wicket by Hazlewood, on off, Trent Boult flat bats this one down to long on and takes a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Trent Boult, Six!SIX! A valiant effort but Marnus Labuschagne has stepped on the boundary for a maximum! Josh Hazlewood serves this one full but in the slot, around off, Trent Boult clears his front leg and swings through the line. Marnus Labuschagne at long on, makes the mistake of charging in and has to back track eventually. He completes the catch but fails to release the ball before making contact with the ropes.

Is that a maximum? Marnus Labuschagne's body language certainly suggests that it is. The umpires go upstairs and the replays do show that Labuschagne's back heel was on the ropes just a fraction before he let go of the ball and it will be called a maximum.

Josh Hazlewood (8-0-57-2) is back on to bowl the crucial penultimate over.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult, 1 run.Another low full toss, outside off, Trent Boult gets bat to ball and works it to deep cover. The batters decide to take a single and it will be Boult on strike at the start of the next over.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 1 run.Into the wicket, directed at the batter, James Neesham is unable to free his arms and half-pulls it in front of square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, Wide!WIDE! Loses his radar as he sprays a low full toss, down leg. Starc is lucky that James Neesham did not get any bat on it or else it would have been an easy boundary. A full-length dive by Josh Inglis to his right to prevent any more extra runs.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult, 1 run.Looks to go full but ends up serving a low full toss, on the off-stump line, Trent Boult clears his front leg and pushes it in front of mid off for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Trent Boult, No run.Switches to 'round the wicket and zones it in, full and on middle, Trent Boult backs away and drives it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 1 run.Compensates by bowling short, over middle, James Neesham rides on top of the bounce and pulls it hard to deep square leg for a run.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, Six!SIX! BANG! Clean hit! Mitchell Starc tries to go full and straight, at the stumps but misses his length as he serves it in the slot. James Neesham needs no second invitation as he smacks it flat and over long on for a maximum.

Mitchell Starc to continue and he will probably bowl the 48th and the final over. Also, Australia are currently one over behind the required rate and there might be one less fielder on the ropes in the final over.

Pat Cummins to Trent Boult, No run.Shortish delivery, on off, Trent Boult gets on his toes and fends it with a straight bat on the off side.

Pat Cummins to Trent Boult, No run.Continues to bang it in short, off pace again, outside off, Trent Boult sways out of the way quickly and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

Trent Boult walks out to bat next.

Pat Cummins to Matt Henry, OUT! c Josh Hazlewood b Pat Cummins.OUT! TAKEN! The change of pace does the trick for Pat Cummins! Pat Cummins switches back to bowling into the wicket and opts to take pace off, outside off, Matt Henry hangs on the back foot and tries to force it through the off side. He gets cramped for room and picks out the man at backward point. Josh Hazlewood stationed there, times the jump to perfection and completes the catch over his head. Matt Henry goes now as New Zealand lose their 8th wicket.

Pat Cummins to Matt Henry, Four!FOUR! Up and over! In the slot by Pat Cummins, outside off, Matt Henry swings through the line and knows that mid off is inside the circle. Lofts it over that man for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to Matt Henry, No run.Well bowled! A well-directed bumper, at the right shoulder, slower as well, Matt Henry bend his back and drops his gloves to get out of the way.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 1 run.Cummins rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it back of a length, outside off, James Neesham waits for it and knocks it along the ground to long off for a single.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, Wide!WIDE! Tries to angle it away from Neesham but goes beyond the tramline on off, on a length, James Neesham fails to get any bat on it and it is wided.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 1 run.Fuller in length, on the off-stump line, James Neesham closes the bat face and calmly clips it towards deep mid-wicket. Marnus Labuschagne in the deep, charges in a bit too hard and fails to pick the ball up cleanly but the batters are content with a single.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, No run.At 142.6 clicks, on a length, outside off, James Neesham stays put as he tries to play it fine on the off side but the ball skids on and zips past his outside edge.

Mitchell Starc to Matt Henry, 1 run.Comes from around the wicket for the right-hander and goes full, at the stumps, Matt Henry stays leg side of the ball as he looks to drive down the ground. Ends up getting an outside edge that races to third man for one.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, 1 run.Yet another fullish delivery, outside off, James Neesham squeezes it out towards extra cover and takes a single.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, Six!SIX! Shot of authority! Starc errs in line and length as he overpitches and offers width outside off, James Neesham stays still and drills it over extra cover for a maximum.

Mitchell Starc to James Neesham, No run.Starts a new spell from over the wicket, full and spearing in at the stumps James Neesham goes for a swipe across the line but gets hurried as he gets an inside edge that rolls to short fine leg.

Pat Cummins to Matt Henry, No run.Excellently bowled from Pat Cummins and New Zealand now need 58 runs to win from the final five overs. Takes pace off again but loops this one up on leg stump, the ball dips a lot on the batter and Matt Henry is unable to get any bat on it. The ball hits the boot and rolls toward backward point as there is a stifles appeal for LBW as well. Nothing doing says the umpire and it will be a dot.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 1 run.Slower and into the pitch outside off, pulled away on the bounce down to long on for a single.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, Four!FOUR! Dead straight and picks up the much-needed boundary as well. Full and well outside off, slower too, James Neesham has to really reach for it but manages to keep his shape and generate enough power to thump it down the ground for a boundary.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, No run.Slower and banged into the deck around off, angling across. James Neesham tries to take it on but fails to get any bat on it and that's the third time Cummins has beaten Neesham with a similar delivery.

Pat Cummins to Matt Henry, 1 run.Full and at the pads, attacking the toes, Matt Henry clips it away wide of the man at fine leg and turns the strike over.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 1 run.Begins the over with a slower ball, on a hard length and around off. James Neesham waits for it and tucks it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Adam Zampa to James Neesham, 1 run.On the shorter side around leg, James Neesham goes on the back foot and works it away to deep square leg for one and he will keep the strike for the next over.

Adam Zampa to Matt Henry, 1 run.Another googly, shorter and turning quickly into the pads. Matt Henry is late to pick it up but manages to nudge it away past square leg for a single.

Adam Zampa to Matt Henry, 2 runs.Floated full and outside off, Matt Henry leans on and drives it along the ground to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Matt Henry is the new man in. Can he provide support to James Neesham?

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, OUT! c Glenn Maxwell b Adam Zampa.OUT! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell hangs on to a pressure catch and Adam Zampa gets his man. Zampa bravely slows this one up and floats it on a length on middle and leg. Mitchell Santner makes a bit of room as he tries to slog this one away as well but doesn't pick the googly. The ball gets sliced a mile high in the air and goes toward wide long on. Maxwell comes in a long way and settles under the ball to take it safely. Zampa gets his third wicket and a crucial one too.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, No run.Flatter delivery around off, Mitchell Santner taps it toward extra cover.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, Six!SIX! BANG! Tossed up on middle and leg, Mitchell Santner dances down the track and slogs it away, over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Having walked off due to a right Achilles issue during the first half of the game, Lockie Ferguson is fit enough to bat for New Zealand in this game.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, No run.Excellent from Pat Cummins and he ends the over with a dot. Banged in short around off, angling away as well but the pace is taken off. James Neesham is way too early on the pull and misses the ball completely.

Pat Cummins to Mitchell Santner, Leg bye.Half an appeal for LBW but seemed to be pitching outside leg. Pace on, full and around leg stump, Mitchell Santner gets across the stumps and flicks it through fine leg for a run. Given as leg byes.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 1 run.Slower and shorter outside off, James Neesham frees his arms and flat-bats it down to long off for just another single.

Pat Cummins to Mitchell Santner, 1 run.Slower again and very short around off, Mitchell Santner hangs back and gives the ball a tap on the head to guide it toward third man for one more.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 1 run.Takes pace off and bowls it on a hard length around middle, James Neesham tucks it 'round the corner for one as Mitchell Marsh slides in to make the stop. A big chunk of grass comes off the deck as Marsh feels his knee a bit but thankfully, everything is fine.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, Four!FOUR! Just the start to the over James Neesham and New Zealand would have wanted. Short over leg stump and its pace on as well. Neesham picks up the length early and pulls it away in between deep mid-wicket and deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, Four!FOUR! Gets it through the gap and 10 runs come off that over. A fraction shorter around off, going across, Mitchell Santner goes on the back foot and uses quick hands to cut it wide of short third man for a boundary.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, 2 runs.Good, positive running! Floated up on the pads, Mitchell Santner works it away in front of mid-wicket and picks up a brace.

Adam Zampa to James Neesham, 1 run.Shorter again on middle and leg, James Neesham pulls it off the back foot down to long on for just another single. The 300 is now up for New Zealand.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, 1 run.Flatter one around middle, Mitchell Santner plays it out from his crease and toward extra cover for one.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, No run.Shortens the length and bowls it around off, Mitchell Santner keeps it out in front of point.

Adam Zampa to Mitchell Santner, 2 runs.Tossed up, full and outside off, Mitchell Santner leans on and drives it in front of the man at sweeper cover for a couple of runs more.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 2 runs.Almost gets another one with the slower delivery. Fuller and wider outside off, similar to the one that got Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham throws his hands at it. The ball gets sliced high up in the air and over short third man as the batters pick up a couple of runs.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, No run.Excellent change-up from Pat Cummins once again. Bowls it at just 121 clicks and into the pitch around off, rolling his fingers over the ball as well. James Neesham looks to pull but is left bamboozled.

Pat Cummins to Mitchell Santner, 1 run.Back of a length around off, Mitchell Santner nudges it away past backward point and picks up a single.

Pat Cummins to Mitchell Santner, No run.Short and over off stump, Mitchell Santner hops back and keeps it down on the off side.

Mitchell Santner walks in at number 8 for New Zealand.

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, OUT! c Marnus Labuschagne b Pat Cummins.OUT! CAUGHT! What a masterstroke from the Aussie skipper and that could be a game-clinching wicket right there. Pat Cummins stays over the wicket and takes pace off this one as well, bowling it a touch fuller and pushing it well across the off stump. Rachin Ravindra has to reach out a bit and force the lofted shot but he isn't quite in control and ends up skying it toward wide long off. Marnus Labuschagne settles himself just inside the fence and takes it reverse-cup as Ravindra is left inconsolable. Cummins rejoices and so do the Australia players and rightly so too.

Pat Cummins to James Neesham, 1 run.Slower and shorter from over the wicket and around leg stump. James Neesham nudges it off his hips behind square leg for a single.

Powerplay 3! Into the final 10 overs we go then and this game is nicely poised. New Zealand need 97 runs to win from 60 balls and the extra man allowed outside the inner ring should help Australia a bit in stemming the flow of boundaries. Let's see how this exciting run chase ends. Pat Cummins (6-0-42-0) brings himself back into the attack.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, 1 run.Drop and run! Length delivery, on off, James Neesham taps it with soft hands towards silly point and calls his partner through for a quick single.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, 1 run.Pulls the length back and angles it in, on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, Four!FOUR! That is a shot and a half! Josh Hazlewood delivers this one not too full, around off, Rachin Ravindra presents the full face of the bat and times the drive back past the bowler and to the left of mid off for four more runs.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, Wide!WIDE! Slips it a bit fuller and down leg, Rachin Ravindra fails to get any bat on it and it is signalled as a wide by the umpire.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, No run.Angling in, on a length, Rachin Ravindra fetches it from outside off and nails the slog, only to pick out the mid-wicket fielder.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, 1 run.Back of a length, angling into the batter, James Neesham nudges it off the inner half of the bat to square leg for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, Leg bye.Leg bye! Full and sliding down leg, Rachin Ravindra misses the tickle as the ball rolls off his pads to fine leg for a leg bye. An optimistic shout for LBW from Josh Hazlewood but the ball was heading down leg.

Glenn Maxwell to James Neesham, No run.Fuller now, on off, James Neesham gets on the front foot and keeps it out.

Glenn Maxwell to James Neesham, Six!SIX! First maximum for James Neesham! Glenn Maxwell drifts on middle and leg, full in length, James Neesham gets underneath the delivery and deposits it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a maximum.

Glenn Maxwell to James Neesham, No run.Fuller and on off, James Neesham gets on the front foot and blocks it out.

Glenn Maxwell to Rachin Ravindra, 1 run.Offers width outside off, fuller in length, Rachin Ravindra opens the bat face and drives it square on the off side for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Rachin Ravindra, 2 runs.Short and turning away, outside off, Rachin Ravindra frees his arms and slaps it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Glenn Maxwell to James Neesham, 1 run.Full and quicker, outside off, James Neesham prods forward and works it wide of point for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, 1 run.Back of a length yet again by Hazlewood, around off, James Neesham steers it from the crease to third man for one more.

Josh Hazlewood to James Neesham, No run.Full and honing in, at the stumps, James Neesham goes back to a full delivery and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, 1 run.Around off this time on a back of a length, Rachin Ravindra dabs it with soft hands, wide of point for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, Four!FOUR! Easy pickings! A bit too straight, around leg, on a back of a length, Rachin Ravindra stays put and pulls it away with the angle and picks up a boundary to fine leg.