ICC World Cup 2015: Australia vs New Zealand

Kane Williamson and Trent Boult celebrate after the former hit the winning runs

Adam Milne gets to bowl only in the 27th over

Adam Milne, Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been the backbone of the New Zealand’s bowling attack this World Cup, picking up 19 wickets in the 3 games played before this match and were expected to bounce out the Australians in this encounter as well.

Surprisingly, however, Milne only got to bowl his first delivery in the 27th over of the innings, with Australia reeling at 128/9, even though Southee was being hammered around the park. He eventually bowled only 3 overs for 6 runs.

Middle-order collapses

Shane Warne in his pre-match pitch report stated that the 22-yard strip would be a belter, predicting a high scoring game ahead. However, no one would have foreseen the way Australia would fold for 151, their lowest World Cup score ever, beating the previous low of 159.

After being 80-1, they were reduced to 106/9, thanks mainly to Boult’s aggressive bowling and a 45-run partnership for the last wicket between Brad Haddin and Pat Cummins saved Aussies some blushes.

The Kiwis after racing to 78-1 in 7.4 overs too suffered a middle-order collapse, getting reduced to 146 for 9 before a calm Kane Williamson hit the last 6, to hand New Zealand only the 6th one-wicket win in a World Cup game

Southee and Johnson prove to be very expensive

In a low scoring game, two bowlers, namely Tim Southee and Mitchell Johnson, would be ashamed of their bowling performances, in conditions aiding swing bowling. Both bowlers gave away over 60 runs today with Southee, who had picked up 7 wickets in the last game against England conceding 65 runs in 9 overs, almost 43% of the total runs in the Australian innings.

Johnson proved to be even more expensive, giving away 68 in 6 overs at an economy rate of 11.33. Together, the two bowlers gave away 133 runs out of the 303 runs scored.

Johnson vs McCullum

With the 25-ball 77 assault still fresh in the minds of fans, the Australians needed to dismiss Blackcaps skipper Brendon McCullum early on in the innings to garner any hopes of pulling off an improbable victory. With the score reading 35 in 2.4 overs, McCullum was hit on the left forearm by a Johnson delivery, which was banged in half way down the wicket.

Unable to get out of the way and without an arm guard, a sizeable lump appeared with the physio required to treat the injury. Despite looking in discomfort, he did not let this affect his batting, hitting the next delivery for a 4 with Johnson shouting ‘catch’, more in desperation than anything else.

Martin Crowe gets inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Martin Crowe gets inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame

Away from cricket, the innings break witnessed an emotional moment as Martin Crowe, one of New Zealand’s best captains, was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. He became the 79th cricketer to get this honour and only the 3rd New Zealand cricketer after Debbie Hockley and Sir Richard Hadlee.

Crowe, battling cancer, was trying hard to control his tears as he waved around, exiting the field to a thunderous standing ovation.