AUS VS NZ MATCH 27

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.