The 2023 ODI World Cup produced yet another classic thriller on Saturday as Australia got the better of New Zealand in Dharamsala.
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Led by Travis Head’s (109) century, Australia went onto post 388, and New Zealand really gave the Aussies a hard time, before going down in the final ball of the contest.
This was New Zealand’s second consecutive defeat in the World Cup, after four wicket loss at the hands of hosts India.
There were several moments that defined the game. Right from Travis Head’s century to Rachin Ravindra’s fightback, there was hardly any dull moment during the course of the match.
Let’s now take a look at some of the top moments:
Travis Head’s magnificent century
Australia opener Travis Head made a successful comeback to the side for the first time since recovering from a finger injury.
Head had missed the ODI series against India, the World Cup warm up matches and the first half of the World Cup due to a broken finger he sustained against South Africa less than two months back, and it was only on Saturday that he made his ODI World Cup debut.
And Head did impress, going onto score 109 runs off just 67 deliveries to mark a memorable debut in the showpiece event.
He was involved in a 175-run stand with David Warner for the opening wicket, before being dismissed by Glenn Phillips in the 24th over.
David Warner shines bright again
Part of the reason for Australia’s resurrection in the World Cup after their two defeats at the start of the tournament is David Warner’s form.
Warner had started the World Cup with a knock of 41 against India, before enduring scores of 13 and 11 against South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively.
However, his last three matches have seen an uptick in terms of form with the bat. After a knock of 163 against Pakistan, he followed that up with another century against Netherlands.
And although a century eluded Warner against New Zealand, his brilliant performance saw him score 81 runs off 65 deliveries, with five fours and six sixes.
During his knock, Warner kept getting the better of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, regularly beating the duo for boundaries while eventually getting to his fifty off just 28 balls.
Rachin Ravindra stands out for Kiwis
He is the man for the big occasions. He has been the find of the World Cup this year. Yet, Rachin Ravindra’s knock of 116 this time around was not enough for New Zealand to cross the finish line against Australia.
Rachin had started the World Cup with a fine century against England, before hotting two more fifties in the tournament.
On Saturday, it was Ravindra’s most resilient knock yet. He came in at number three, following the dismissal of Devon Conway, and took responsibility with a couple of half-century stands with Daryl Mtchell and Tom Latham. Ravindra would get to his fifty off 49 balls, and would only take 27 deliveries to convert that into a century.
However, the turning point of the game came in the 41st over, when Ravindra was caught by Marnus Labuschagne at long-off, off Pat Cummins’ delivery.
James Neesham’s gritty fifty
As they say, it’s not over until it’s over. That is exactly the kind of character the Black Caps displayed on Saturday, and James Neesham played a big role in it.
Neesham, who is a man for the big occasions, rose up to the occasion this time with a 33-ball fifty, hitting three fours and as many sixes.
Neesham showcased fight in him, and stayed in the middle till the very end. That is, until he was run-out at the batters’ end in the fifth ball of the final over, leaving New Zealand’s hopes hanging in the balance.
Fielders decisive in Australia’s win
If there’s anything that deserves credit even more than Travis Head or David Warner’s knocks, it’s the Australian fielding. Their fielding had not been upto the mark earlier in the tournament, but in the final over, a couple of crucial saves defined the game.
Mitchell Starc was introduced to the attack, and in the second ball of the final over, he unleashed a wide down leg side that went for a four. 19 runs were required from the last six balls for the Kiwis, so these were certainly welcome runs.
Neesham, the batter on strike, the heaved it towards midwicket with a hope of finding the boundary, but the fielder was there to make the save. Neesham then targeted long-on in the next ball, but once again he could not get that crucial boundary for his team.
In the fourth ball of the over, Neesham hit towards the deep midwicket, only for Labuschagne to make a dive and save a boundary.
It was these crucial moments that defined the game, and helped Australia overcome New Zealand. For the fans at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, there was no better way to sign off the tournament at the venue than this.
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