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28 March 2024

Williamson six gives NZ win after Boult destroys Australia

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Kane Williamson coolly struck a straight six to give New Zealand a one wicket victory over Australia in a dramatic battle between the cricket World Cup hosts at Eden Park on Saturday.

Williamson lofted Pat Cummins over the boundary with last man Trent Boult at the wicket to finish on 45 not out in New Zealand's 152 for nine off 23.1 overs.

Mitchell Starc scythed through the New Zealand batting after Brendon McCullum had given the home side a flying start with 50 from 24 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes, to take six for 28 from nine overs.

New Zealand's left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult recorded his best figures in a one-day international, capturing five wickets for one run during his second spell, to finish with five for 27 in Australia's 151 all out from 32.2 overs.

There was no hint of what was to follow at the start of the day when Australia, who won the toss, set off as if they were determined to post a total around the 400 mark.

Tim Southee conceded 15 runs off the first over of the day, David Warner slashed a six off his second over the short third man boundary and Aaron Finch struck the pace bowler over mid-on into the stands off the third.

With his next ball Southee knocked Finch's off stump out of the ground after he had scored 14.

Warner and Shane Watson took the score to 80 when McCullum introduced Daniel Vettori into the attack.

Bowling with his accustomed flight and guile, the left-arm spinner put a brake on the scoring and the frustrated Watson (23) perished when he pulled a short delivery straight to Southee at mid-wicket.

Southee switched ends and was rewarded with the wicket of Warner lbw 34 to a full delivery which thudded on to his pads.

Wickets then suddenly began to tumble. Steve Smith (4) was caught behind by Luke Ronchi off Vettori from a thick inside edge and Glenn Maxwell (1) and Mitchell Marsh (0) both dragged deliveries from Boult on to their stumps.

Clarke (12) and Johnson (1) fell to simple catches by Wiliamson off Boult who then bowled Starc for a duck.

Brad Haddin took a four and a six off Vettori's final over and showed the pitch was not a minefield by reaching the top score of 43 with four boundaries and two sixes.

Martin Guptill took a four and a six off Mitchell Johnson's opening over and McCullum looked as if he wanted to finish the game before the dinner interval, despite a lengthy break while he received attention after Johnson hit him on the left arm.

After Guptill had departed for 11 and McCullum soon afterwards, Starc raised Australia's hopes by bowling Ross Taylor (1) before the interval and Grant Elliott (0) with the first ball after the break.

Corey Anderson, who hit Johnson for six, added 52 with Williamson and appeared to have set New Zealand victory before he was caught for 26.

Wickets then fell regularly and it was only Williamson's composure under pressure which enabled New Zealand to get over the line for a fourth successive victory in the tournament.

New Zealand innings

Williamson hammers Cummins for a straight six as New Zealand win by one wicket. NZ 152-9, 23.1 overs.

Starc has career-best figures of 6-28.

Starc is on a hat-trick again ripping out Southee with a yorker. NZ 146-9, 22.4 overs.

Tim Southee b Starc 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Milne's stumps are rattle by Starc with six needed to win. NZ 146-8, 22.3 overs.

Adam Milne b Starc 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)  

Seven down for Black Caps as Vettori slams a full toss straight to mid-on. NZ 145-7, 21.5 overs.

Daniel Vettori c Warner b Cummins 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Starc strikes again with a snorter as Ronchi gloves it while taking evasive action. NZ 13906, 21 overs.

Luke Ronchi c Haddin b Starc 6 (7b 0x4 1x6)

Maxwell gets a breakthrough as Andersn departs with victory in sight. NZ 131-5, 19.4 overs.

Corey Anderson c Cummins b Maxwell 26 (42b 2x4 1x6)

Anderson has blasted a couple of boundaries and a massive six off Johnson in consecutive balls. NZ 108-4, 15 overs.

Another blow by Starc with the first ball after the break knocking out Elliott's middle stump. NZ 79-4, 8.2 overs.

Grant Elliott b Starc 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Starc strikes knocking Taylor's off stump just before the interval. NZ 79-3, 8.1 overs.

Ross Taylor b Starc 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) 

Starc takes a superb catch in the deep as McCullum departs. NZ 78-2, 7.4 overs.

Brendon McCullum c Starc b Cummins 50 (24b 7x4 3x6)

McCullum smashes a 21-ball fifty hammering seven boundaries and three sixes. NZ 72-1, 7 overs.

Starc strikes as Guptill lofts straight to the mid-off fielder. NZ 40-1, 3.5 overs.

Martin Guptill c Cummins b Starc 11 (14b 1x4 1x6)


McCullum continues after getting hit on the left arm by a nasty short delivery from Johnson and hammers a boundary over first slip. NZ 39-0, 3 overs.

McCullum begins his pyrotechnics by smashing the first legitimate delivery from Marsh over the covers for a six.

Guptill has smashed 11 off one ball from Johnson who concedes a free hit of the first ball. NZ 11-0, 1 over.

Australia innings

New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult destroyed a powerful Australia batting lineup with an astonishing display of left-arm swing bowling in the cricket World Cup Pool A match at EdenPark on Saturday.

Boult captured five wickets for one run during his second spell to help reduce Australia to 151 all out from 32.2 overs before a noisy capacity crowd of 40,000 on a glorious summer's day.

He finished his 10 overs with five for 27, his first five-wicket haul in a one-day international, with three maidens.

There was no hint of what was to follow when Tim Southee conceded 15 runs off the first over of the day after Michael Clarke, returning from injury, had won the toss and opted to bat.

David Warner slashed a six off Southee's second over the short third man boundary and Aaron Finch struck the pace bowler over mid-on into the stands off the third.

With his next ball Southee knocked Finch's off stump out of the ground after he had scored 14.
Warner and Shane Watson took the score to 80 when Brendon McCullum introduced Daniel Vettori into the attack.

Bowling with his accustomed flight and guile, the left-arm spinner put a brake on the scoring and the frustrated Watson (23) perished when he pulled a short delivery straight to Southee at mid-wicket.

Southee switched ends and was rewarded with the wicket of Warner lbw for 34 to a full delivery which thudded on to his pads.

Wickets began to tumble in quick succession with Steve Smith (4) falling caught behind by Luke Ronchi off Vettori from a thick inside edge, while Glenn Maxwell (1) and Mitchell Marsh (0) both dragged deliveries from Boult on to their stumps.

Clarke (12) and Michell Johnson (1) fell to simple catches by Kane Wiliamson off Boult who then bowled Mitchell Starc for a duck.

Brad Haddin took a four and a six off Vettori's final over and showed the pitch had not suddenly become a minefield by reaching the top score of 43.

The experienced wicketkeeper hit four boundaries and two sixes before he sliced Corey Anderson's second ball to substitute fielder Tom Latham at short third man after hitting the first over the boundary.

Australia collapsed from 80-1 losing seven for 26 before Hadding and Cummins brought some respectability to their total with a last ditch stand of 45.

Haddin is the last man out after a defiant knock. Aus 151-2, 32.2 overs.

Brad Haddin c Taylor b Anderson 43 (41b 4x4 2x6)


Boult finishes with career best figures of 5-27 ripping the heart out of Australia. Aus 124-9, 26 overs.

Vettori has completed his spell returning excellent figures of 10-0-41-2. Aus 124-9, 25 overs.

Boult has a return of 3-2-1-5 during his devastating spell.

Starc is castled by another Boult stunner. Aus 106-9, 22overs.

Mitchell Starc b Boult 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Boult claims his fourth wicket with Williamson taking a superb catch. Aus 106-9, 21.3 overs.

Mitchell Johnson c Williamson b Boult 1 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Australia are reeling as Boult strikes again as Clarke perishes. Aus 104-7, 20 overs.

Michael Clarke c Williamson b Boult 12 (18b 1x4 0x6)

Haddin snicks Vettori down the leg side to bring up the 100. Aus 103-6, 19 overs.

Boult is on fire reducing Australia to shambles as Marsh drags one onto his stumps. Aus 97-6, 17.4 overs.

Mitchell Marsh b Boult 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Australia are in deep trouble now as Maxwell is felled by a Boult thunderbolt. Aus 96-5, 17.2 overs.

Glenn Maxwell b Boult 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Vettori has struck again soon after the drinks interval getting a big nick off Smith. Aus 95-4, 16.3 overs.

Steven Smith c Ronchi b Vettori 4 (11b 0x4 0x6)


13th over - Shane Watson, who had struggled against Boult's lef14th over - Southee, brought back to replace Boult, dismissed Warner (34) with the first ball of the next over. The left-hander called for a review after a full delivery thudded into his pads but the television replay showed the ball would have hit the stumps. AUS: 85-

9th over - Boult at third man just failed to get his right hand to a slash from David Warner, who was on 28, off Vettori's bowling. AUS: 62-1

7th over - Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori replaced Southee, whose three overs had cost 32 runs, and immediately hit a challenging length, conceding only two runs. AUS: 53-1

3rd over - Aaron Finch drove Southee over mid-on for six but was then clean bowled for 14 by the following delivery which knocked his off stump out of the ground. AUS: 36-1

1st over - Tim Southee conceded 15 runs off his opening over, including two wides. AUS: 15-0

Line-ups:
 
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Toss

Australia captain Michael Clarke, returning to lead his country again after an injury layoff, had no hesitation in opting to bat after winning the toss in the World Cup match against New Zealand on Saturday.

Fast bowler Pat Cummins replaced Josh Hazelwood in the Australian side to further strengthen their impressive pace attack while their tournament co-hosts New Zealand named an unchanged side. The Australians, who have won 11 of their 16 one-day matches against New Zealand at Eden Park, trail the home side in the Pool A standings after their game against Bangladesh was rained off following a decisive victory over England.

New Zealand have beaten Sri Lanka, Scotland and England and were full of confidence before Saturday's match after showing consistent form in both the one-day and the test arenas over the past 18 months.

A capacity crowd of 40,000 poured into Eden Park, where New Zealand defeated Australia in the opening game of the 1992 tournament and the game started in glorious sunshine with a predicted high temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.

On paper both sides are evenly matched with aggressive opening batsmen, solid middle orders and forceful finishers down the order. Both teams also possess potent fast bowling resources.. "The wicket looks fantastic, pretty even for both teams," Clarke said in a pitchside interview. "There's a good crowd, let's hope we can entertain them."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said he would have bowled first if he had won the toss. "The wicket looks great, the outfield looks amazing," he said. "This is certainly one of the big games for us. Same team for us, that's the beauty of our side and we'll chase whatever total they set us."

Preview

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum vowed Friday his side will stick with their aggressive approach as they look to maintain their perfect record at this World Cup when they face arch-rivals Australia.

The Black Caps are top of Pool A with three wins out of three, including an eight-wicket thrashing of England, heading into their showdown with fellow co-hosts Australia in Auckland in front of what is set to be a capacity 40,000 crowd at Eden Park on Saturday.

New Zealand are set to field an unchanged side with swing bowler Tim Southee, who took a stunning seven for 33 against England - the third-best World Cup return - fit following a minor shoulder injury.

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"It's an aggressive confident style where we are as positive as we can be, trying to endear ourselves to a public with the manner in which we play," said McCullum, who did exactly that with the fastest World Cup fifty, off 18 balls, against England.

Australia's former World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh has tipped New Zealand as the favourites for Saturday's match but McCullum wasn't interested in such talk.

"Look, I have said all along, favourites or underdogs, it's irrelevant once the game gets under way," McCullum insisted.

"Our focus is very much on how we try and execute the game that has served us so well over the last little while. If we do that, we will be hard to beat. 

"It doesn't mean we are going to win but we are going to be hard to beat if we perform to the standards we know how.

"Both teams are desperate to win tomorrow."

McCullum added his team, bidding to give New Zealand their first World Cup title, were in confident mood because of their recent record.

"The fanfare and anticipation is big but the guys are in a good space because of what we've done previously."

Big crowds for New Zealand home matches are rare but McCullum said the Black Caps would not be over-awed by the magnitude of Saturday's match.

"There's no real nerves, we've been playing some good cricket of late, living the dream really and getting the opportunity to play for your country in a World Cup at home and tomorrow is going to be a great event, 40,000 people and playing against Australia.

"It doesn't really get better than that, so the guys are excited."

Dynamic Australia opener David Warner, never shy of tossing in a verbal barb before or even during a match, suggested the visitors would try to make McCullum have a "brain explosion" with the bat.

But the opener refused to rise to the bait, with McCullum conceding: "I probably am guilty of the odd brain explosion while batting. I've read reports throughout the week but believe Australia's been nothing but respectful and complimentary about our group."

"Warner is an outstanding cricketer who has performed well in all three forms of the game over a period of time. He is a dangerous player that we need to make sure we keep him quiet but so is Aaron Finch and so is Steve Smith and Michael Clarke and the rest.

"We have to make sure we are able to execute the plans we want, and if someone does get away then we have a plan for shutting them down."

One particular challenge at Eden Park is defending the ground's exceptionally short straight boundaries.

"You need to be smart with the lengths you bowl," said McCullum. "The square boundaries aren't overly long either. If you focus too much on back-of-a-length then those players are capable of good horizontal bat shots.

"You've got to be smart about using the short ball."

Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott, meanwhile, brushed aside the McCullum factor, saying his fast bowlers are capable of handling him.

"Facing our blokes at practice is difficult enough, so I think our blokes are going to be pretty well prepared," said McDermott, himself a World Cup winner in 1987.

"I can think of four players that play for us who are equally as good, so maybe they've got four times the headache," McDermott said in reference to power-hitters David Warner, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh.

"And there's 10 other guys in that team besides Brendon, so we've got to deal with the whole team, not just him."

Clarke sick of injury, sledging talk

Australian captain Michael Clarke admitted Friday he is sick of discussing his hamstring injury and weary of the relentless spotlight on sledging ahead of the World Cup showdown against New Zealand.

Australia go into the Eden Park clash on Saturday, in front of 40,000 people, trailing their trans-Tasman rivals by three points in Pool A with speculation that trash-talking - be it between players or from the crowd - is set to play a part at some stage.

But Clarke, who will return to the team having missed the opening win over England two weeks ago, snapped when pressed on the sledging.

"Again, sledging. My God, I'm sick of talking about it," he said. "For me, personally, it's never impacted my game."

Clarke is on the comeback trail after playing just two one-day internationals last year and has not played international cricket since injuring his hamstring during the Adelaide Test against India in December.

Clarke, whose verbal clashes with South African paceman Dale Steyn last year made headlines as did his infamous clash with James Anderson in the last Ashes series, where he warned the Englishman "to get ready for a broken arm", insists that sledging has no bearing on the outcome of a game.

"So, me saying something to somebody, or somebody saying something to me, has never helped me have success or hindered me having success. I'm not a big believer in it. It comes down to the individual player. If it helps them, then go for it."

Clarke expects a vociferous home crowd to come down hard on the Australians inside the compact Eden Park venue.

"I'm sure we're going to get heckled, but that's a really good part of playing away from home, experiencing that," Clarke said.

"I've been fortunate to play for a few years now and experience it all around the world. I know the guys are excited about a full house and experiencing the New Zealand crowds."

Clarke admitted the game will be key with a New Zealand win almost certain to guarantee them top spot in the pool.

"It's obviously a big game. I don't remember too many easy games against New Zealand, whether you played them in Australia or play them over here."

The Australian praised the high-flying Black Caps who are in good form having won all three games in the World Cup after beating Sri Lanka in a one-day series 4-2 followed by two wins over Pakistan in the run-up to the tournament.  

'Respect'

"They're really tough opposition. I think both teams have the utmost respect for each other, as well, and hopefully we can put on a really good, entertaining show for the full house and the people who are watching back in Australia."

In combative mood, Clarke said he was exhausted by the constant attention on his recovery from hamstring problems.

"I think everybody is sick of talking about my injury, my old injury, I should say. But it feels really good. I've worked exceptionally hard," said Clarke who has also been plagued by back problems.

The Australian skipper said he admired the attacking style of Brendon McCullum after the New Zealand captain hit the fastest World Cup fifty, off 18 balls, against England last week.

"I know Brendon pretty well and I think he has certainly that attacking, positive style, as you see in his own performances but I think you see that in his captaincy style as well.

"I think also that (fast bowlers) Tim Southee and Trent Boult complement each other really well. They have a right-armer who can swing it away, a left-hander who can swing it in - this is to a right-handed batsman. Their first change (Adam Milne) is young and aggressive."

In a hint of the starting eleven for Saturday's game, Clarke indicated that the out-of-form all-rounder Shane Watson would keep his place.

"I think 'Watto' has certainly acknowledged that he would like to make runs as much as anybody. I wouldn't be surprised if you see him walk out there and make an important hundred for us."

Five match facts:

- Australia have won 11 of their 16 one-day internationals against New Zealand at Eden Park, including four of the last five.

- Brendon McCullum needs 47 runs to become the fourth New Zealander to hit 1,000 ODI runs against Australia.

- New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori needs two wickets to become the fourth player to take 50 wickets in ODIs between these teams.

- Vettori has conceded just two boundaries in the 152 balls he has delivered in the tournament so far. He has sent down 90 dot balls.

- Tim Southee has bowled 75 balls to Shane Watson in ODIs but never taken his wicket, conceding 75 runs in the process.

Five memorable Australia-New Zealand sports clashes:


CRICKET

1974 Christchurch: New Zealand beat Australia by five wickets


For nearly 30 years, New Zealand were simply ignored by Australia, who didn't consider them worthy opponents.

That changed in the 1970s and most specifically in 1974 when, with star batsman Glenn Turner making a hundred in each innings, New Zealand recorded their maiden Test victory over Australia with a five-wicket win at Christchurch's Lancaster Park.

1981, Melbourne: Australia beat New Zealand by six runs


The scoreline may not jog many memories but the word 'underarm' will surely will.

What might have been a forgettable third final of the one-day series produced one of the most controversial finishes of all-time when, with New Zealand needing six to tie off the last ball, Australia captain Greg Chappell instructed younger brother Trevor to role the ball underarm along the ground.

Angry New Zealand tailender Brian McKechnie, who was on strike, threw his bat away in disgust and Greg Chappell's decision brought forth a torrent of criticism.

New Zealand's then Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, said the delivery was "an act of true cowardice and I consider it appropriate that the Australian team were wearing yellow".

Meanwhile former Australia captain Ian Chappell, Greg and Ian's older brother, said: "Fair dinkum, Greg. How much pride do you sacrifice to win $A35,000?"

RUGBY UNION

1978, Eden Park, Auckland: New Zealand 16 Australia 30


The series had been decided by the time of this match, the third Test, with New Zealand 2-0 up.

But Australia turned the form book upside down with No 8 Greg Cornelsen scoring four tries - an individual match record against the All Blacks - with Wallaby flanker Gary Pearse grabbing the team's fifth.

In a 25-Test career they were Cornelsen's only tries but his Eden Park haul guaranteed him sporting immortality.

2000, Olympic Stadium, Sydney: Australia 35 New Zealand 39

The All Blacks were threatening a rout at 24-0 up in eight minutes in front of a crowd of just under 110,000.

Yet by half-time, a thrilling contest was all square at 24-24.

When New Zealand-born hooker Jeremy Paul scored for the Wallabies six minutes from time to make it 35-34 to Australia, a remarkable comeback win was on the cards.

But, with time up, New Zealand's Taine Randell flung the ball to Jonah Lomu and the powerhouse wing shrugged off Stephen Larkham 20 metres out before tip-toeing down the line to score the 10th and final try of a stunning match.

NETBALL

2010, Delhi: New Zealand 66 Australia 64


Australia and New Zealand have long been the world's pre-eminent netball nations and have enjoyed several thrilling clashes at the climax of major events.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games final was no exception.

New Zealand had a seven-goal lead midway through the final quarter but the full-time whistle blew with the scores level at 47-47 after both New Zealand's Irene van Dyk and Australia's Catherine Cox had missed chances to win the game.

Double overtime and then 'sudden death' followed, with Maria Tutaia the star for New Zealand as she landed her final seven shots at goal late on.

Teams and officials:

New Zealand
(from): Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wkt), Ross Taylor

Australia (from): Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wkt), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA) and Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Tv umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
Weather: Mostly sunny and humid, with 27 degrees temperature